Polishing wheels and axles

[tiredndusty]

I have seen where some use very fine grit sandpaper/emery cloth (800-1200 grit) to polish axles. AWANA axles do not have crimp marks or many of the same irrgularities as BSA axles. That being said, I'm sure they do have other fine defects that need to be removed. I went to Lowes this evening and the finest thing they had was 400 grit. Where do you get the finer grit sandpaper/emery cloth?

Other options I have for polishing axles or wheels is to use automotive rubbing compound or Brasso metal polish. How will either of these work for the final polishing step?

Was also wondering if anyone has ever tried to use automotive car wax/polish and buffing the axles as a final step before applying graphite?

Thanks

[beakerboysracing]

Check this link. best polishing process I've found.
www.winderby.com/m04_040829.html
hope this helps
scott

[tiredndusty]

Interestingly, the speed axles II they show on their website appear to be the same as what is provided in the AWANA derby kit.

From their description, it appears as though you should not sand these but should just polish?

[Go Bubba Go]

Apr 24, 2008 20:36:37 GMT -6 tiredndusty said:

Where do you get the finer grit sandpaper/emery cloth?

You can usually get up to 2000 grit Imperial Wet/Dry at an Auto Parts store like AutoZone, etc. (Often good polishes there too...).

Above that grit, either on-line or from an automotive finishing (paint) place.

Of course, some of the PWD vendors do have nice little "polishing kits" pre-put together (x amount of various grits) if you don't plan to polish in "bulk". We went off the deep end with PWD at least a year ago and put ourselves in the "bulk" category...

Bubba

[beakerboysracing]

tiredndusty,
yeah most of the speed axles you'll find will be straight and polished up to 1500 grit. You can go finer, up to 8000 grit. Shines like chrome.
scott