polishing aluminum.

hawgnkutz · Jul 18, 2009

Hey guys, im polishing an aluminum vacuum block for a friend, im just wondering, once its all polished up, what should i use to protect the finish? Can i use a aerosol type clearcoat like automotive paint clear coat, or any type of wax? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

jamscal · Jul 18, 2009

Wenol is a polish in a tube that is supposed to also protect the polished finish.

I have some, but haven't really used it enough to comment on how it works over time.

It came highly recommended though.

-James

hawgnkutz · Jul 19, 2009

Thanks man. I googled it, and i think that is just what i need!

gustafson · Jul 19, 2009

If it is a vacuum fitting, I would not put anything on it

D · Jul 19, 2009

gustafson said:
If it is a vacuum fitting, I would not put anything on it

Don't understand that statement, Why?

re;Critical vacuum fittings we make for Boeing are polished, brushed and a paste spec'ed protective finish hand applied, they don't want anodize apparently for the same reason what ever that may be.

DMF_TomB · Jul 19, 2009

vacuum fitting

in high vacuum any kind a grease or oil or wax applied to a surface can out gas or boil off stuff. thus why do not apply anything to vacuum fittings. there are some greases rated for high vacuum but most greases will boil in a vacuum.

when making rubber polyurethane parts the urethane is mixed and the bubbles are removed in a vacuum chamber. you know you have a high vacuum when water and other liquids like polyurethane boil at room temperature. the vacuum is slowly released and urethane is slowly poured into molds.

hawgnkutz · Jul 22, 2009

No, the fittings will not be polished. It's just the block that im polishing, and i have also taken that into consideration. When i polish the block im going to use NPT Plugs in all the holes. Thanks!

Forestgnome · Jul 22, 2009

I used to use Johnson floor wax wiped on with a rag.

Mud · Jul 22, 2009

DMF_TomB said:
in high vacuum any kind a grease or oil or wax applied to a surface can out gas or boil off stuff. thus why do not apply anything to vacuum fittings. there are some greases rated for high vacuum but most greases will boil in a vacuum.

when making rubber polyurethane parts the urethane is mixed and the bubbles are removed in a vacuum chamber. you know you have a high vacuum when water and other liquids like polyurethane boil at room temperature. the vacuum is slowly released and urethane is slowly poured into molds.

Is teflon tape OK?

duckman · Jul 22, 2009

I used a product called White Diamond and polished a piece of alum. tubing about 5 years ago , its been in hot , cold , high humidity , touched , and what ever else could happen and its just as shiny as when I polished it

ImanCarrot · Jul 22, 2009

Polished ally will not oxidise, the polished layer stops any further corrosion. I've had aluminium mirrors for years still exactly the same today as they were when I made em.

If you're using vacuum grease, make sure it's high vacuum grease, it's expensive, but does the job on seals etc.

jmead · Jul 22, 2009

Mud said:
Is teflon tape OK?

I don't trust it,( or were you kidding? ), try Leak Lock http://www.highsidechem.com/lklcksp.html

I use it in 500 micron vacuums daily.

regards,
John

Areomyst · Jul 22, 2009

I've heard that clear powdercoating is nice. I've polished a lot of aluminum, but I haven't coated any of it yet. To be honest, I just re-polish the parts by hand when they start to dull up. For a customer though, I imagine some sort of protectant would be a good idea.

~Josh

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