Polishing
Polishing the metal was easier than I expected. The key is to make sure you have a consistent 600 grit finish on your
aluminum part before you start. Any scratches or imperfections visible will still be visible after polishing, it will
just be a shiny imperfection.
I used two, 6 inch polishing wheels that I got from ACE hardware (Dico #26 for the tripoli, #36 for the white rouge).
The back side of the Dico polishing wheel package has a list of suggested wheels for the two rouges. You must use two
different wheels for the two rouges.
Keep the manifold at room temperature or warmer. This is important, the rouge will goop up if the part gets cool. I used
a propane heater in the garage to keep the parts warm. Gently put the stick of tripoli rouge against the rotating
polishing wheel for a few seconds to transfer the rouge to the wheel. Begin polishing the manifold with the polishing
wheel. Don't push so hard that the wheel slows down a lot. Be careful here, the wheel will grab unexpectedly and can
propel the part or the drill across the room. The polishing wheel will also grab onto sharp edges, so go easy.
Mounting the polishing wheels on a bench grinder is an option that works well but there are times when the drill mounted
wheels are easier to maneuver. Reapply the rouge every couple of minutes. Keep going over the part until you get a good
shine. I used my Dremmel tool with a conical shaped felt bob to polish the hard-to-reach areas. You will need two
separate bobs for the two polishing rouges.
When you have a good, chrome-like shine, clean the part with a cloth and switch wheels/bobs and use the white rouge to
bring out a mirror-like shine. You have to clean the part thoroughly before you move to the white rouge.
When you use a polishing wheel after it hasn't been used for a few hours you must "comb out" the wheel by rubbing it
against a wire brush. If you don't do this you won't be able to polish the part to a shine.
This is hard work but the manifold (and turbo inlet pipe, intercooler pipes, etc.) look great. It really changes the
look of your engine compartment. Good luck.
_________________
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Jerry Schneider ATG Laboratories
(303) 417-0492 1520 Harrison Ave
(303) 417-0431 (FAX) Boulder, CO 80303
[email hidden] http://www.atglabs.com
A terrible mind is a thing to waste!