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Polishing A Frame


James Quigley

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i removed the paint from mine with nitromors, unfortunately whilst scraping the paint off the tough bits it got a bit scratched, i used some ultra fine grit wet and dry adn went over the whole frame, working to the smallest grit stuff i could find. then using autosol and a polishing mop on a drill and a slow-medium speed on the drill, i went over the whole frame several times. did this with my middleburns and they almost came out to a mirror finish (Y)

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haha well put it this way if you want the best finish out your looking at half a day of rubbing down and polishing. gotta do it in stages, dont go straight for the highest grit number in one go and using worn out stuff dooesnt work, youve got to use the different grades. the rubbing down is the most important stage really. and with the polishing dont go pressing really hard, doesnt help. take your time. give yourself a day and should be enough time..... thats once youve got the paint off! speaking of which how you removing it?!

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Sand blasting an Alu frame leaves a kinda pitted rough texture - very good for a key if you wish to repaint it your chosen colour - but you don't.

Nitromors is very good at taking the paint off with wire-wool and a bit of elbow grease. You may find getting within the welds and fiddly bits around the BB, drop outs and headtube a bit tricky though.

Glass bead blasting is good, as the glass particles are smaller than that of a sand blaster, finer finish is acheivable.

Whichever option you choose, you will have to spend time doing plenty of rubbing.

Wet and dry, starting at a low grade to remove sratches/blemishes. Then move through the range to a very fine, high grade paper.

Then using a polishing wheel, lightly cover the frame until you get that required depth of polish.

With Aluminium, be wary not to touch it, as grease from the fingers, oil or dirt will make it look a bit poopy.

Also, Aluminium will build up a natural protective layer of oxide, this may effect your polished look and have a dimming effect. I'd definately recommend spraying the clean frame with a lacquere.

All the best mate.

Jon

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