Polishing Axles?

[Boydog]

I have a set of 91X stainless axles. I also have the tools to buff and restore stainless side trim on antique cars. I see most use various grades of sand paper to smooth the axles. How would the buffing compound and buffing wheel do preparing axles to be used with oil? Would it be to smooth?

Thanks.
Boydog

 

[speed bump]

No such thing as to smooth!

 

[~JBD RACING~]

I go to 4000 and that's it... I start with 400.

 

[speed bump]

JBD has spoken. I would listen to him.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

There's such a thing as 4000 grit sandpaper? I know there is micro mesh up to 12,000 grit, which is about 2 micron (I guess approximately equal to 3000 grit) and there is polishing paper that will go to 1 micro, but is there something finer that that?

From the 12,000 micro mesh, I go to Mothers Billet Polish and then an alcohol soak.

 

[bracketracer]

There's such a thing as 4000 grit sandpaper? I know there is micro mesh up to 12,000 grit, which is about 2 micron (I guess approximately equal to 3000 grit) and there is polishing paper that will go to 1 micro, but is there something finer that that?

From the 12,000 micro mesh, I go to Mothers Billet Polish and then an alcohol soak.

I have used this before from Hobby Lobby. It goes up to 12000 grit paper.

 

[ngyoung]

You only start with 400 on BSA axles right? John I think recommended starting no lower then 1000 on his axles.

I go to 4000 and that's it... I start with 400.

 

[OPARENNEN]

I go from 600(5) 1000(6) 2000(7) 4000(7) 6000(7) 8000(10) 12000(15), then DD4H Axle Polish(10), then Brasso(15)
(='s # seconds) and always with wet.

On re-prep, I only use Brasso.

Please, Any Pro feedback?: like Kinser, QT, DD4H, 5Kids, etc.

 

[Boydog]

When we repair stainless trim for cars, we use sandpaper much like your talking about on the axles to remove scratches, just progressively getting finer and finer up to about 3000 grit. Then we buff it with a white compound on a cotton buffing wheel. Comes out mirror smooth.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

They actually make micro sandpaper to 60,000 grit. What's the numbers beside the grit OPA? Seconds?

 

[GravityX]

They actually make micro sandpaper to 60,000 grit. What's the numbers beside the grit OPA? Seconds?

I'll decrypt his information, (='s # seconds)

The number in the parenthesis (equals the number of seconds) that grit is used.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

I assumed so but wasn't sure

 

[GravityX]

On re-prep, I only use Brasso.

Please, Any Pro feedback?: like Kinser, QT, DD4H, 5Kids, etc.

I wasn't mentioned /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif, but I'll say that I only clean and then prep with Jig. No more polishing of any kind needed, unless you have some secret sauce that needs to be reapplied before the Jig.

 

[~JBD RACING~]

Thats what John recommend.. I start with 400.. Now where & how i do it is totally different /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

Does anyone know where aluminum oxide film lies on te grit scale?
I bought some that K+S makes.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I've seen aluminum oxide in different grits. As far as polishing, I would guess it is between 0.05 and 1 or 2 microns.

http://www.logitech.uk.com/products-solutions/products-and-accessories/consumables/ultra-fine-aluminium-oxide-polishing-powder.aspx

Been keeping this list as possible finishing products.

Red Rouge -> 3.5 to 5 microns (aka micron Iron oxide, otherwise known as jeweler's rouge)

Cerium Oxide -> 3.5 microns

Cerium-R Oxide -> 1.2 microns

Aluminum Oxide -> 0.05 to 1 micron (various grits)
Diamond paste -> 3 microns (avail in various grits)
Mothers Mag Polish -> 1 micron (approx.)
Mothers Billet Polish -> 0.1 micron (approx.)
Zero Fric. Axle Polish -> ???