Polishing the Silver Bullet

[CemeteryMan]

So I've had my SB for a few weeks and it's starting to get a little scratched up (plenty of werewolves in my neighbourhood) so I figure I'll try and polish it.

Now, I thought, this was gonna be a big deal as like many of you I'm sure have never polished aluminum before... Man, was I was wrong... I had it looking like the day it arrived in about 3 minutes!

I bought a little jar of Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish from an auto parts store and a terry cloth. Just some gentle rubbing is all it takes!

 

[YoMike]

Chuck it up to a slow speed drill via the atty, hold in a cloth with some polish and let it spin! Like a mirror in minutes!

 

[nj1001]

See since I've began polishing mine (again with the recommended mother's Al polish) I've noticed it tarnishes like it never did before. Also, my many miniscule scratches don't seem to come out. Think I might get some green compound & ask for the assistance on a skilled professional with the tools & know-how for that procedure, but anyway I'm just wondering why I'm not getting the same results with the mother's as y'all have been. Used paper towels instead of a micro-fiber cloth the first couple of times, then cottonballs. I've even used a drill dremel cotton/cloth attachment to see if that would work well. Any pointers? Its an easy process so I don't know why my results aren't as grand. Last time I did it I did it 2 or 3 times in a row, hoping it would have better results.

 

[boomboom]

Try some 600 grit emery cloth over the whole thing. You'll never see any micro scratches again as the entire finish will be dull/satin and no more fingerprints either.

 

[nj1001]

Thanks boomboom, I might try it. Also, what grit would be recommended to restore it to its original level of mirror shine?

 

[boomboom]

A buffing wheel (power tool attachment) and some very very low abrasive polish is about the only thing to restore it to original.

 

[ohiomelody]

Thanks boomboom, I might try it. Also, what grit would be recommended to restore it to its original level of mirror shine?

If you can live without your SB for a few days, you can send it back to Chad to polish up for you. You would just have to mail it to us with a note and $5 for shipping and he'd do it for free It'll only take him a couple minutes on the buffer and send it back to you the same or next day.

 

[nj1001]

If you can live without your SB for a few days, you can send it back to Chad to polish up for you. You would just have to mail it to us with a note and $5 for shipping and he'd do it for free It'll only take him a couple minutes on the buffer and send it back to you the same or next day.

That would be totally sick & I'd really love to, but I really cannot live with out it for a few days. ONLY if I got the BSB would I be able to part with my SB, lol- but seriously. I think the BSBs are currently in stock too. Tempting, but I figure I already have the silver, ugh. Tempted... but then there'll be the Omega... jeeze, what to do.... what to do...

 

[Quick1]

You can do it by hand. Google for something like polishing aftermarket car wheels. It would take some work but you could use it while you're doing the job. If you have scratches deep enough to catch a finger nail on then it will take a LOT of work ... but you can use it while you're doing the job

 

[nj1001]

Got Green Compound from Sears, now just need a minute to do it. I can't wait for it to look like it did when I got it. I only have micro-scratches, nothing deep enough to catch a fingernail into or anything.
Thanks.
NickJ

 

[dawhoo]

I know many will see it as an abomination, but I got some 1200g cloth and turned my shiny SB into a frosted matte finish. No more finger prints, no worry about the little scratches and I think it looks great.

 

[Quick1]

Frosted looks good. Nice thing is that there is plenty of material there. As long as you don't go for a knurled finish you can always go back..

 

[CemeteryMan]

I know many will see it as an abomination, but I got some 1200g cloth and turned my shiny SB into a frosted matte finish. No more finger prints, no worry about the little scratches and I think it looks great.

Any chance of a pic?

 

[crashtestjeep]

I had gotten a few knicks in mine (bottom) and wet sanded w 1200grit mirror SP and then used the MOthers. I applied and buffed and repeated until NO black showed on the cloth and after having mine since last Sept (I think, or arnd then) it came out like BRAND SPANKING NEW! I got all the advice from memners here on ECF and was MORE than impressed with the results. If you only went one or two rounds with the Mothers, keep going...only use a tiny bit, buff off and repeat and I PROMISE it will look awesome!

 

[dawhoo]

Any chance of a pic?

Here you go. Not a great pic, taken with a BB. Looks better in person.

 

[CemeteryMan]

Here you go. Not a great pic, taken with a BB. Looks better in person.

Thanks... might try that.

 

[nj1001]

Finally did the green compound maneuver. It was WAY easy & looks perfect. All the trouble really is getting or tracking down a buffing wheel & thats it. Piece of cake.

wet sanding with 1200grit mirror SP- dang! I wouldn't even know where to get that... Good to know. I tended to use a combo of too much mothers & either a paper towel or cotton-balls. I bet the buffing wheel would produce much better results. The green compound route was very helpful for ridding those miniscule scratches 'n stuff.
Good look y'all.
-NickyJ

 

[crashtestjeep]

if you have a harbor freith by you, they sell 1200grit mirror all day long