ladytb
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- Last seen
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2019
- Thunderbird Year
- 1956
Anybody have a good way to polish the aluminum valve covers on a '56
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Check out this kit I posted a couple of days ago- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...ratches-with-this-polish-compounds-kit.13445/Anybody have a good way to polish the aluminum valve covers on a '56
That repainting looks great! May I ask how you went about doing it? Seems like painting around/between the letters of the “thunderbird” script would be extremely challenging. Did you tape off the letters? You’d have to have the dexterity of a neurosurgeon to do it freehand! (Or at least a lot more dexterity than me).Polishing is a rather simple but time intensive process, refine the finish with progressively finer abrasives.
1. Remove them from the engine.
2. Degrease them with lacquer thinner.
3. I would try 320 first. If that isn’t working go up to 220. Then progress to 220, 400, 600, 800 wet sand papers, taking out all the coarser scratches from the previous paper. Once you have a clean 800 surface, you can go to the compound wheels. I have also used a chrome polishing compond like; Renegade, USA Rebel Pipe Dream Chrome Polish.
Produced a mirror finish.
And I agree with Ward 57, then repaint (available from CASCO).
You can get detail small brushes at most art supply, paint department in hardware or hobby stores. You don't need to be perfect. Once the paint is dry you can take some very fine sandpaper and clean off anything that is not in the recess of the emblem. Same thing goes for the exterior badges that have recessed painted areas. Really makes them pop.That repainting looks great! May I ask how you went about doing it? Seems like painting around/between the letters of the “thunderbird” script would be extremely challenging. Did you tape off the letters? You’d have to have the dexterity of a neurosurgeon to do it freehand! (Or at least a lot more dexterity than me).
Or was it just a couple of touch ups rather than a full repainting of the blue area?
I believe the slower speeds on the pads will not produce the abrasion polishing that those ultra fine rouges can provide. Heat and pressure are part of the process to a degree and while it would work, you will sacrifice a great outcome for a very good one….dumb but it works that wayThat sounds pretty neat. Hmm.. would it be possible to put a rheostat on it to slow it down for delicate work? I think the last time cleaned mine it was all manual work ( I was too lazy to pull them and then have to replace all the gaskets that don't leak at all )and a wire brush for the detents. Then touched up the logo with the proper turquois and red inserts.
Are you talking about the emblem valleys or the vanes on the rest. Ther should be no paint other than on the embossed emblems only not in the long recesses on the rest of the cover. Custom builders do that for more expensive 'bling' but it was not done at the factory.After polishing you need to clean the covers, I use lacquer thinner.
As far as the paint, paint needle syringe. Make sure they are level. Tape the ends of the wings and sqeeze the paint to the valleys. Should you get some paint on the high spots, you can just wipe the paint off.