How to Polish Aluminum on a Lathe

Do you often work with aluminum on your lathe? Have you wondered how to polish this metal effectively? In this article, we will discuss the easy and long-lasting way to polish aluminum on your lathe.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy metal scraper
• Metal brush
• Metal cleaner
• Microfiber rag and other rags
• Intensive grade aluminum polish
• Spray aluminum wax

Instructions

1. Mount solidly the metal onto the lathe. Clamping is satisfactory for this process, but bolting is highly recommended. Make sure that the metal is as flush as possible in line with the lathe.

2. Remove all large edges and deposits from the aluminum with a heavy metal scraper. Using the tool guard, push the scraper against the aluminum, starting from one side and working to the other. You will have to apply a good amount of pressure when using this tool.

3. Clean the aluminum as completely as possible by using a metal brush. Hold it up against the aluminum while the lathe is on full speed and use as much pressure as necessary. Then, finish cleaning the aluminum with a rag soaked with metal cleaner. Turn the speed down on the lathe before doing this, however, because too much speed will just spin the cleaner off the metal.

4. Apply an intensive grade aluminum polish to the metal with a microfiber rag. Work with small amounts at a time and move the polish from one side to the other. The lathe should be near the slowest setting while doing this process. The more time you take on this step, the finer the polish will be.

5. Apply a thin coat of spray aluminum wax after the polish has dried. This will seal the polish and make it last much longer. When working with this wax, the lathe should be on its absolute lowest setting. Using another rag, work the thin coat of wax around until all residue soaks in and disappears.

Tips & Warnings

• When scraping and brushing the metal, use your tool guard as much as you can. It helps the process greatly.

• When waxing the aluminum, begin by spraying the thinnest coat possible. It doesn't take much wax to coat and protect the metal.

• Lathes can be very dangerous machines. Whenever using such machines, make sure to wear proper eye protection and to remove all loose clothing.

• The chemicals used in this article are very toxic. Be very careful with them and keep them away from small children.