Smitty
I am coming from atvaddiction forums and have seen pics of your speed. I really like the polished Aluminum look on the frame.

How or what did you use to polish the aluminum, I would like to do the same thing on my cannibal. Did you have to sand it down first or just polish it with an aluminum polish?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

tdog,

I will tell you that once you start you cannot stop. You start on a small spot, oh that looks good. But than the spot next to it doesn't, on and on.

You have been warned.LOL

I used a 4 1/2" electric die grinder with a metal finishing wheel. It's like scotchbrite with some grit. Use lightly as it can remove alot of material. This will help smooth the welds and remove extrusion marks.

I than put a cotton polishing wheel on the grinder and with red and white rouge went over the whole thing.

For touch up I just use aluminum polish.

Start with either the front bumper or hand bar in the back. Once you see if you like it or are willing to take the time you can proceed to the rest. I have lots and lots of hours on this.

If ou do the subframe like I did, get some teflon tape from a wood working place to put on all the wear areas, this will keep those areas looking good. Where the seat hits and places like that. If you've taken off your rear plastic you will see what I mean.

Smitty

 

i polished josh's front bumper just to see how it would come out and it looked great. i bought all my supplies from lowes . they have different grit rouges, different size pads and the pads come in a different grit. i bought pads to fit my bench grinde, air grinder, electric drill and dremel tool for the tight areas. i sanded the welds and rough spots in te bends with 150 grit sandpaper and then went down to a 220 or 360 grit before i started with the first rouge. it took a lot of time for just a bumper but it was worth it when i was done. next i'm gonna do my a/c nerfs on my warrior.

 

smitty i started on the rear grab bar and it took 3 hrs just to do it so i know for a fact u have lots of hrs in yours , i was talkin to the guys at my work that pollish the fuel tanks and alum. dimondplate stuff on the Peterbuilts if they would do my Speed but they are to bussy just polishing up the Peterbuilts so i was kinda bummed.
i just dont have the time anymore to spend polishing it up but yours looks good keep it up

Cdale1

 

I will be doing the sub frame, I have time now that I can not ride it. Mine happens to be one of the ones with the crabby shocks and the dealer is on wait for 3 to 5 weeks to get the replacement shocks.

 

How often do you have to rebuff to keep the shine?

 

I haven't touched the frame in 4 months. After I wash it, I make sure to get all the water off, or it will leave spots.

The side cases where just done and will need to be done again and than clear powder coated.

Smitty