Want to "mirror" polish an older aluminum boat

[jim j geezer]

Re: Want to "mirror" polish an older aluminum boat

THAT did it!
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Now my nipples are hard, and my retinas incinerated.

 

[Jaccojenkins72]

It's a 12' semi-vee Alumacraft that's about 40 years old. Central Illinois = fresh water. Rub your hand across is and it's akin to rubbing across 1000 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper with a few pits.

I admit it. I'm attracted to pretty, shiney things.
That a mirror-finish hull is likely to go faster too has not escaped my attention.

I have an *OLD* Craftsman orbital sander with a felt pad to cushion the sandpaper. I'm thinking of using the bare felt to apply rubbing compound, then polishing compound. Assuming that works, what's a good 'wax' to use to preserve the appearance of my "go-faster MirrOlure"?

If you are truly going for a mirror finish and you want to preserve that said desired mirror look then none of what is in your gameplay is going to get you that look nor preserve it more than one tine on the water. Start youtubing the videos about people who polish 18 whee l er rims. That's what I did and as for preserving it, some will say sharks kin coating but I'm with diamond finish 1kvfor my boat I'm doing. I've done .months of research on this and I've been buffing things for 30 years but never raw aluminum to a mirror but I am doing it now. Word of caution, the makita ga7021 is a pro favorite for those who do this but please be careful. Jts a monster at inlbs , 6000 non variable speed and if you so much as nick a corner wrong itvwillvsendvyouvto the ER faster than your mind can tellcwhats even happening. Be careful! There are other grinders you can use that are not t hat s strong.