What grit sandpaper should I use to polish aluminum?

Many professionals recommend going from 320 grit, to 400 grit, and finish with 600. The real detail oriented polishers will sometimes go to 800 or even 1500 grit before moving onto the next step.

What’s the best way to polish aluminum?

How To Polish Aluminum

1. Step 1: Clean the Aluminum with a Soap, Detergent, or Cleaner. Clean the aluminum with soap/detergent and water.
2. Step 2: Apply Cream of Tartar (for small aluminum pieces)
3. Step 3: Sand the Aluminum Surface (for larger aluminum pieces)
4. Step 4: Polish!

What sandpaper is good for aluminum?

The best sandpaper for hard metals such as iron or steel is aluminum oxide, while the best sandpaper for softer metals such as aluminum or brass is silicon carbide.

How do you keep aluminum shiny?

Aluminum wax sits on top of the surface of your aluminum piece. It will eventually rub off and become less effective. To keep your aluminum protected, reapply the wax a few times a year to keep your aluminum looking shiny. Always clean your aluminum before applying a new coat of wax.

How do you get scratches out of polished aluminum?

2 Method 2 of 2: Sanding out Deep Scratches

1. Spray WD-40 all over the aluminum you want to polish to lubricate it.
2. Sand out the scratches using 220-grit sandpaper.
3. Switch to 1500-grit sandpaper and sand the aluminum to smooth it out.
4. Give the aluminum a final sanding with 3000-grit sandpaper.

How do you shine dull aluminum?

Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar with 2 cups of warm water in a bucket or use this ratio to make a larger amount, depending on what you are cleaning. Wet a cloth or non-abrasive pad in the vinegar-water mixture and then use it to clean the aluminum surface gently.

Can you buff scratches out of aluminum?

Switch to 1500-grit sandpaper and sand the aluminum to smooth it out. This will get rid of the small scuffs and scratches made by the coarser sandpaper to smooth out the surface and start shining it up. If you don’t have exactly 1500-grit sandpaper, it’s fine to use another very fine-grit sandpaper.

What grit is best for aluminum?

Silicon carbide sandpaper is often the best option for sanding and finishing aluminum wheels. For average to poor condition rims, about a 200 grit will be where you can start. If fairly good, you could start with 300. As you work through, you will use a higher number to finish your project.