polishing ss bumpers

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

polishing ss bumpers

Post by azruss »

Fitted Harrington SS bumpers early in the resto process and they took their fair share of abuse. Time to get them back. Went and bought a Porter-Cable DA variable speed polisher ($150) along with a Eezer 6636k quick change backing pad. Then 2 types of 7" mequiar pads. a 7" dark red cutting pad and a couple of 7" foam polishing pads along with Meguiars 1,2, and 3 compounds. I used the yellow foam pads with the #2 and #3 compounds.
I went in this direction because i didnt want to remove the bumpers as a lot of time was spent getting the fit right. I started with the dark pad and #1 compound following instructions. I found the highest speed had a very bad vibration, was uncomfortable to hold and created a lot of heat in the balancer. I found starting at #4 on the speed gave me a lot of control and left the compound on the surface longer than high speeds. I could move it up to 4.5 to 5 to work some bad areas. I dont think i would go as high as 5 on a painted surface. You also need to remove the pad anytime you stop as the heat from the balancer transfers quickly to the pad and will unglue the velcro from the pad. The hotter the environment, the more issues with heat in the polisher and heat on the part. I found there were time i had to stop to let the polisher cool. I took pictures in the most unflattering light i could. It doesnt look like #3 was even necessary. This is not a fast process and i could have easily spent twice as much time and gotten better results.


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PininF

Re: polishing ss bumpers

Post by PininF »

Wow great job…I'm impressed , have saved your thread to my bookmarks for easy reference when the time comes. :D
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Redline
Posts: 631
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:34 pm
Your car is a: formerly a 1971 Fiat 124 BC Coupe
Location: Switzerland

Re: polishing ss bumpers

Post by Redline »

:shock:

Now I have no excuses for my Coupe.
That's lovely.
http://www.124bc.com
La Dolce Vita: Joy and frustration at the speed of smoke
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RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: polishing ss bumpers

Post by RRoller123 »

Wow, nice!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
Mdpond1

Re: polishing ss bumpers

Post by Mdpond1 »

Wow that looks great!
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