Polishing an aluminum airplane

n2727d · Post by **n2727d** » Tue May 07, 2002 12:16 am

I would like some input from those who have polished airplanes. I am polishing our 170 B with Nuvite and want to know if there is a better product. Are there waxes on the market for polished aluminum?

Dave Clark · Post by **Dave Clark** » Tue May 07, 2002 1:11 pm

Believe it or not I actually owned and kept in show polished condition a C195 for about ten years. Masochist. One trick is to acid wash the skins with alumiprep and a rag then rinse really well prior to polishing. Yes it will look real dull but that polishes out quickly. This pulls all the stains and dirt out of the surface and really gives it a deeper shine. It's rather like using a prewax cleaner. You would only need to do this the first time and then whenever you notice the shine isn't coming out really deep.

As for the polish compound only use a non abrasive. I liked FLITZ, SEMICHROME, and the like German developed products. Rollite is another favorite of some but it might have a slight abrasive. Always be sure your skins are clean and that your rags are clean when you start. If you drop a polish rag on the floor get a fresh one. Do not rub in circles as you will see the swirl marks. I used a Cyclo Buffer with good results, especially on the wings. It's orbitual. I could never find a wax to protect it but the polish leaves some protection. Use Glass Wax for cleaning off all the fingerprints and drool from the admireing crowd. Good Luck!

Dave

Robert Bishop · Post by **Robert Bishop** » Tue May 07, 2002 8:09 pm

I have a Cessna 170a which is buff alum and I have good result using What- A- Shine it cost about $10.00 for about 16oz or so . Easy to apply and remove I've tried other product and this is by far the best in my book.you can buy in Fresno Ca from Wheel King 559-225-5464 This product is made in Fresno Ca

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:00 pm

i have polished my plane
with rokite supra 90 for years.
is this product still available?
if so, where?
what are the current
recommendations for
aluminum polish?
is there s.t. better
and easier?
thanks
dave

Paul-WI · Post by **Paul-WI** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:57 pm

Man, what a glutton for punishment

I've been trying to polish 58D for almost a year now and still have a wing and a half to do. This is a timely topic for me as I told Karen that we need to spend a day finishing polishing before the weather gets too cold. I also have been using Nuvite and it seems to work, but hard to get that mirror finish that I would like - but heck, a little shine is better than none.

As a side note - snowing last couple of days. Will have to get the skis cleaned up and installed soon!

Paul
N3458D

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:48 pm

where is the best place
to get this nuvite?
dave

Paul-WI · Post by **Paul-WI** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:26 pm

I got it from my FBO but try this.

http://www.nuvitechemical.com/

Paul
N3458D

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:35 pm

I order my supplies from http://perfectpolish.com/ . They have excellent polishing advice as does http://www.nuvitechemical.com/ . It takes some experimenting to get it right. I do prefer the low speed compounding buffer to the drill set-up. Acid washing does help, but beware..... if not done correctly you will end up with streaking that is a b*&^H to remove. They stopped making Glass Wax several years ago. Nuvite makes NuImage and it works great for cleaning. Like most Nuvite products it is somewhat expensive upfront, but a little goes a long way.http://cessna1200.tripod.com/id31.htm

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:03 pm

it doesn't sound like many of you
use the supra rolite 90.
is the nuvite that much better?
dave

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:21 pm

My experience with Rolite is limited, but I know a lot of Nuvite users that formerly used Rolite.

Post by **GAHorn** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:11 pm

iowa wrote:it doesn't sound like many of you
use the supra rolite 90.
is the nuvite that much better?
dave

Rolite is available from http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/ ... metal.html

DWood · Post by **DWood** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 12:46 am

Nuvite works very well. I use a Porter Cable random orbital with 100% cotton wrapped over it.
2004 Bronze Lindy and 2006 Preservation awards from OSH.
Dan

http://airventure.org/awards/images/2006/NC4252V.JPG

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:22 am

Nice plane!!!!

iowa · Post by **iowa** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:47 am

i had polished my plane about 5 years ago.
would the fine grade of Nuvite be okay to use?
dave

N2865C · Post by **N2865C** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:33 pm

I polish 3 times a year (I live on the coast) 1 major polish and 2 minor polishes. I compound with G and cylco with S on the major polish and just cylco with S on the other 2. Everyone works out their own system over time. I would recommend you start off following the instructions on the Perfect Polish or Nuvite site. Buy a 1/4 # of G, F-7, C and S and experiment to find out what works best for you. The most important thing when using Nuvite is less is more. Think fingerprints of polish. One thing I have learned polishing is the more I try to make it easy, the harder it gets.

The International Cessna 170 Association

Polishing an aluminum airplane

Polishing an aluminum airplane

Polish Aluminum Aircraft

Polishing an Aluminum Airplane