polishing aluminum

[flatblack]

wasnt sure where to put this so if it needs to be moved by all means.... im having a tough time bringing shine out of aluminum engine parts, valve covers, intake, and iming cover, i want them all to be almost chrome, ive tried a few different mops, a few different compounds but so far everythings still looking a bit matted. this is my first time so if anyone can give me some pointers on how to do it and what to buy to do it, it would be very much appriciated, there is no shops around here for this sort of thing so im pretty much s.o.l. unless i do it myself.... please help in anyway you can

[convincor]

sand with progresivly fine sand papers like 320, 500, 800, 1000 then 1500.
From there, try a Mothers PowerBall and Mothers polish.
If you've got a bench type buffer, use brown "tripoli" rouge followed by white. Then finish with Mother for protection.

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[Joshpow]

My question answered befor I asked it! Later I plan the same thing.

[70shortwide]

convincors got it! ive done some street bike parts that way. patience is key. sand with each grit till you cant see any scratches from the previous grit. itll turn out great!

[Joshpow]

How should you treat it to keep it shining? Clear, continued polishing? If polish, how often would you need? Thanks for the info.

[flatblack]

thanks for the helpful info guys, its cast aluminum and a little pitted (factory ford parts) so its a real pita but i want it to be well worth it. i would even like to polish my runners in my intake if anyone has tips on that as well

[70shortwide]

for big pits, first make sure the metal is thick enough to safely sand down the pits. if it is, go at it! might start with something a little more course on the really rough areas.

[sport71]

It's alot of sanding, I no longer have finger prints from all the sanding.
But never the less I can say "look how great a job I did"

[fordman]

i used a small brass wire brush on a drill to do this to the aluminum oil filter adapter. the pic isn't great but it looks real good except where i couldn't get the brush into the tight spots.