Polishing some welds..advice

[firstripholdmybeer]

Hey cc,

I had a couple cracks on my shovel rocker so I had them patched up and strengthened. I want to polish and match the surrounding area. I’ve been told scotch pads then go finer until ready for compound. Wondering what you all have done for similar restorations?

[53panhead]

The first thing you need to do is get them to match the contour in other words cut down the weld.

[firstripholdmybeer]

The first thing you need to do is get them to match the contour in other words cut down the weld.

I was going to see how far my flap discs got me with my dremel.

[klondikekid64]

What panhead said ^^ I work at a plating / polishing shop, it's just like body work, use a small block and some 220 grit or so paper and get it to shape, aluminum is soft so 220 will knock it down quickly, and the block will keep everything flat and square and still leave a fairly fine finish, that's all we use at work for blocking, scotchbrite isn't going to level the weld, once you have it to shape work thru a couple finer grits of paper till is fairly fine and then you can use some sort of buff to shine it up. My latest fixer upper, before and after.

[klondikekid64]

Just seen your post, flaps and dremel will dig and gouge, trust me use a block.

[Dragstews]

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That ^^ be some slick work ... !!

Seen one other primary that was done like that ....

[firstripholdmybeer]

What panhead said ^^ I work at a plating / polishing shop, it's just like body work, use a small block and some 220 grit or so...

That’s some damn fine work! Thanks for the info going to hit the store and go at it tonight. Cheers!

[klondikekid64]

It sure helps having a polishing machine with a 5hp motor, makes polishing and buffing much easier. i still do a lot of block sanding, on brass, aluminum,etc. before the final buff, thats how you get a perfectly flat show finish. with steel parts that are getting chromed I'll block sand the copper just like you would a high build primer, mutiple coats of copper if needed, then buff the copper to a flawless shine then nickel plate, and then straight into the chrome.