• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Polishing Parts.......

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paul Perreca
  • Start date Start date Sep 9, 2005
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Paul Perreca

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,085
0
0
Sep 9, 2005
#1
  • Sep 9, 2005
  • #1
I polished the belt tensioner, and the powersteering pump base, now my question is.....

The alternator, it is not smooth from the get go like the tensioner, and the power steering pump, it is very grainy, What should I sand this with to knock that gritty down do make it smooth, than sand and buff it??? I am very curious, cuz i don't have the extra money fora polished alternator.... and I would also like to do the air compressor, which i think will be VERY difficult, cuz of all the crevices....

THANKS

Paul Perreca
 

88gt

Founding Member
Aug 2, 1999
794
0
0
Drillers cabin
Sep 9, 2005
#2
  • Sep 9, 2005
  • #2
start with 400, go to 600, then 800..then you can buff and polish to a "brilliant sheen"

on the alt. I would take the extra time to completely disassemble it, that way no fine particle will get inside and cause possible problems..

jim
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Sep 9, 2005
#3
  • Sep 9, 2005
  • #3
I've never been a big fan of sanding, so I try to do as little as possible!

My newest method is; sand with 100 grit sand paper, 150 or 180 grit sandpaper, 220 grit and then I use a Ventilated Flap buff with Tripoli and then I polish with White Rouge no a Spiral Sewn Buffing wheel with a electric drill.

You’re probably better off if you do dissemble the alt to make it easier and not run into problem later.

But to each his own!
 
9

9 Deuce GT

Member
Dec 10, 2003
550
1
16
Geneva, NY
Sep 10, 2005
#4
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #4
I sanded the **** out of mine. Came out nice though. I used 220, 320 400, 600, 1000, 1200, then buffed er up with the tripoli and white rough. Looked good. BTW, any porous aluminum that is not smooth from the get go sucks to polish. It can be done though. Stick with it. The results will show.
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Sep 10, 2005
#5
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #5
Don't get too carried away with the power steering pump, I've found the quality of alumimum to be lower on this peice..though I have no idea why. I spend CONSIDERABLE time working out the seam on the casting, and time and time again attempting to get it "perfect"...this was the one pc that just seemed to finish up OK, not great. All other components seem to take well to the polishing wheel though.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Sep 10, 2005
#6
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #6
Been through it as well. The more you do, the more you have to do. It's like everything else in the engine looks like crap next to the nice peice. Before you know it you do the whole engine. I went with painting a few things to set it off a little. Like I just polished the tops of the valve covers. Here is a picture of my old motor back in 1998.

 

Killer50stang

New Member
May 11, 2004
632
0
0
Sep 10, 2005
#7
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #7
89sleeper said:
Been through it as well. The more you do, the more you have to do. It's like everything else in the engine looks like crap next to the nice peice. Before you know it you do the whole engine. I went with painting a few things to set it off a little. Like I just polished the tops of the valve covers. Here is a picture of my old motor back in 1998.
Click to expand...

That's amazing! Sand by hand? Then what tools do you need for buffing?
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Sep 10, 2005
#8
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #8
89sleeper said:
Been through it as well. The more you do, the more you have to do. It's like everything else in the engine looks like crap next to the nice peice. Before you know it you do the whole engine.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what you're talking about...

My method, more or less:

http://www.soniccherry.com/polishing.html

Depending on the piece, sometimes I can stop sanding at 320, sometimes I need to step up to 500. I find that a nylon wheel comes in handy in a lot of circumstances, too.

And just because I'm a picture whore

 

Attachments

  • engine.webp
    152.9 KB · Views: 116

whitehorseupnorth

SSoM President
Founding Member
Sep 9, 2000
1,772
0
36
Maine
Sep 10, 2005
#9
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #9
Ya, I'am a whore too..
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Sep 10, 2005
#10
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #10
Killer50stang said:
That's amazing! Sand by hand? Then what tools do you need for buffing?
Click to expand...
Thanks. Check out Dave's site http://www.soniccherry.com/polishing.html
Or Pauls ( ALMOST STOCK) for some good tips.

I did mine by hand but ended up having no fingertips by the time I was done.
Then I learned more and more and found better ways to do the same work easier like Dave and Paul.

mansonozz said:
I have no idea what you're talking about...
Click to expand...

Lol...Sure you don't Dave....
BTW, Looking Good!
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Sep 10, 2005
#11
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #11
DMAN302 said:
Don't get too carried away with the power steering pump, I've found the quality of alumimum to be lower on this peice..though I have no idea why. I spend CONSIDERABLE time working out the seam on the casting, and time and time again attempting to get it "perfect"...this was the one pc that just seemed to finish up OK, not great. All other components seem to take well to the polishing wheel though.
Click to expand...
I couldn't have said it any better myself Derek.





89sleeper said:
I did mine by hand but ended up having no fingertips by the time I was done.
Then I learned more and more and found better ways to do the same work easier like Dave and Paul.
Click to expand...


That's exactly why I try different method from time to time, you never know until you try.

As I said earlier my newest method requires less sanding something we all hate if you've ever done much sanding.
100 grit, 150 or 180 grit 220 grit a Ventilated Flap buffing wheel with Tripoli which does all the work of 320 through 600 grit sand paper,then I polish with White Rouge no a Spiral Sewn Buffing wheel with a electric drill.
I did my Cobra mini spare using this method and from start to finish it took me less than 5 hrs and driving to have the tire removed and later having the tire mounted again.

View attachment 504323
View attachment 504325


And as far as whoring goes
View attachment 504327

View attachment 504329






[/QUOTE]
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Sep 10, 2005
#12
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #12
I still say I would've built another engine and put that one in the living room
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Sep 10, 2005
#13
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #13


Dave if I built another motor it would just like that one .
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Sep 10, 2005
#14
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #14
Yes, but you'd also have the world's shiniest conversation piece / coffee table companion!

Speaking of doing it the same way, I'm scared I'm going to end up doing the same thing whenever I build my 2nd Stang
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Sep 10, 2005
#15
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #15
View attachment 504319


I would put on those missing valve cover bolts and fix that crooked A/C compressor if I were you.






















J/K

I have always loved that picture.
 

stang22

Active Member
Jan 29, 2003
1,318
7
38
Washington, D.C.
Sep 10, 2005
#16
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #16
I still hack up Tripoli and White Rouge every once in a while.

Tim
 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.
Nov 8, 2003
2,120
2
59
windsor, Canada
Sep 10, 2005
#17
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #17
stang22 said:
I still hack up Tripoli and White Rouge every once in a while.

Tim
Click to expand...
Two things now...first Tim damn good to see your still makin time for us, hope all is well !!!Second...PAUL you've got to be kidding me that spare is incredible..I have to try that.
 

stang22

Active Member
Jan 29, 2003
1,318
7
38
Washington, D.C.
Sep 10, 2005
#18
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #18
DMAN302 said:
Two things now...first Tim damn good to see your still makin time for us, hope all is well !!!Second...PAUL you've got to be kidding me that spare is incredible..I have to try that.
Click to expand...



Derek,

Paul liked that spare so much after he polished it that he went and bought 3 more and polished them up. Word on the street is that his car seemed to handle better with them, and stop better as well.

It must be a "less rotational mass" thing or something.

Tim
 

Paul Perreca

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,085
0
0
Sep 10, 2005
#19
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #19
thanks for all of the tips, i'm gonna go rip the bellhousing off, and get the engine on the stand, than when i start removing old parts, i'l be replacing them in "POLISHED" form, it will look beautiful lol I'll see what i can do...

Paul Perreca
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Sep 10, 2005
#20
  • Sep 10, 2005
  • #20
Awesome, you can become the next unofficial member of the unofficial Polishers Anonymous club! "When chrome add-ons won't do...there's P/A!"

 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
489
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
C
For Sale FOR SALE ENTIRE CAR
  • cptcrunch93
  • Jun 13, 2023
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
2
Views
2K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Jun 13, 2023
cptcrunch93
C
S
Belt tensioner setup 1992 fox body
  • Swhitney
  • Feb 11, 2019
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
9K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 13, 2019
fredfifty
Refinished old cracking and peeling steering wheel leather
  • MrPerfect2
  • Sep 3, 2019
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Sep 3, 2019
MrPerfect2
Progress Thread My notchback project part two
  • MrFoxNutCase
  • Oct 29, 2019
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 5, 2020
MrFoxNutCase
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?