Polishing Castings ?

This is the area to talk about everything regarding repairing and restoring machines.

Polishing Castings ?

Postby notagator » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:47 pm

Can the grey case castings be made shiny and newer looking? I have tried rubbing compound and a Dremel tool and all I get is the same grey finish made shiny.
I see pictures of machines for sale that are bright, but I am opposed to painting and too underfunded from chrome/nickle plating.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

Garry
notagator
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:58 pm

Re: Polishing Castings ?

Postby RameGoom » Sun Apr 12, 2020 5:44 pm

I have found that the gray oxidation goes deep and surface polishing won't do it. It needs some abrasive levels to get it removed down to the metal.

You need a buffing wheel grinder setup on a stand, using coarse cutting compound (the dark gray color stick). All of the polished surfaces come alive, but then you need to use the next finer grade (white) then finally the orange compound to finish the polished areas. You might want to go over the areas with something like MAAS paste polish. The benchtop (or stand top) buffing motors from Harbor Freight work well.

Next, you mask off all of the polished areas with painters tape, then bead-blast the rough cast areas.

Remove the tape, clean up the castings with soap and water, then re-tape the buffed areas. This is when you apply your paint.
Slowly building a knowledge base on E2000 series Bally machines and J400 Jennings. Started with the antique Mills and Jennings. Getting there...
User avatar
RameGoom
 
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:47 pm
Location: Loveland, CO

Re: Polishing Castings ?

Postby notagator » Mon Apr 13, 2020 2:41 pm

Thanks for your explanation of the process. Frankly, I was hoping for something less heroic. (Always looking for a short cut. :) )
notagator
 
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:58 pm


Return to Repair / Restoration Questions

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests