Polishing tunnels. A bit of advise.

[arteeex]

I ain't got time to polish the tunnel on my sled. I'm too busy riding. If I can't scrape the crud with a coarse Scotch-Brite pad in 30-seconds, it's riding along with me.

But, if you're into that kind of thing, it does look nice.

 

[TRUTH]

Here is the polishing I did on my IQR tunnel, done by hand.

 

[nate007]

Here's one of my XTX's. I did use some 1000 and 1500 grit paper on it, but I sometimes use my 9" auto body buffer with a heavy rubbing compound to cut the polishing and sanding time in half. Mine aren't done yet. I really wan to take my time and get them perfect, so they'll be easier to care for. I use Zoop's seal on them afterwards and the water just beads off.

 

[Superman]

I've used Busch aluminum polish and I really like the stuff. I even cut it some with a little bit of mineral spirits. A friend of mine was telling me that some of the NASCAR team Semi truck drivers use this product on their rigs. But if I ever did my tunnel I would wet sand before I ever started polishing. I had a friend who just took some mothers to his pro-x 700 and started polishing his tunnel without wet sanding. Boy it looked great at first but then it oxidized and the imperfections in the tunnel looked like poop. And then the only way to repair it and make it look good again required wet sanding and then polishing it again. But after that it looked great and was alot easier to keep up on.

*I like what Sobfrogg told me about polishing tunnels. He said "Disconnect your brain before you start." LOL.

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

I have a FAQ on my website that explains in detail how to polish a tunnel

www.cubbyscustoms.com


.......................Cubby

 

[marsh14]

How do you keep up with it during the riding season? Do you have to polish it every weekend to keep it from oxidizing? I was thinking about doing mine but looking at it now after not touching it all season, it is very dull. I don't have time to polish after each ride.

 

[Cubby's RX-1]

I use the Extreem by hand on it like every other ride. I takes about 10 minutes to rub it on and buff it off.................................Cubby

 

[SledFreak]

Ok, some needas to explain the wet sanding process, because I have never done it and I have polished my tunnel with bushes polish, but I want it better then that. Any help guys..

 

[2008FxNytro]

use some really fine grit sandpaper. sounds like you have done some polishing to it so i would start with depending on how it is 600 or 1000 grit then possible go to 1500 and then 2000. then after that use the polish.

have a bucket of water and keep wetting the sandpaper every once in a while. helps to keep the material off the sandpaper making it work better

 

[shadow44]

use some really fine grit sandpaper. sounds like you have done some polishing to it so i would start with depending on how it is 600 or 1000 grit then possible go to 1500 and then 2000. then after that use the polish.

have a bucket of water and keep wetting the sandpaper every once in a while. helps to keep the material off the sandpaper making it work better

another thing to remember is to try to go with the grain in the aluminum...the wet sanding process is very important in getting the mirror finish. once you finish that, get a polishing kit with clay bars...it helps get the shine out even more..it also reduces the amount of time using the final polish....but no matter what....you still need elbow grease.
here's my old buggy..the new is done, just haven't got the pics.

 

[shadow44]

Chubby, your sled looks awsome...love the chromed a=arms..nice job

 

[SledFreak]

use some really fine grit sandpaper. sounds like you have done some polishing to it so i would start with depending on how it is 600 or 1000 grit then possible go to 1500 and then 2000. then after that use the polish.

have a bucket of water and keep wetting the sandpaper every once in a while. helps to keep the material off the sandpaper making it work better

another thing to remember is to try to go with the grain in the aluminum...the wet sanding process is very important in getting the mirror finish. once you finish that, get a polishing kit with clay bars...it helps get the shine out even more..it also reduces the amount of time using the final polish....but no matter what....you still need elbow grease.
here's my old buggy..the new is done, just haven't got the pics.

How do you know which way the grain in the aluminum is flowing?

 

[SledFreak]

Also, how many sheets of paper do I need. How do I know, I need to go from set of paper to the other. ie.. Like going from 1000-1500-2000. This is all new to me, so bare with me. Thanks..

 

[2008FxNytro]

All depends on how bad it is. You said it was somewhat polished so it may not be to bad. i would think maybe a few sheets of each would be enough. they prob come in a small pack of maybe 5 or 6 so that would work. I would suggest doing a smaller spot first. do the 1000 then 1500 then 2000 on it and then polish it and see if your happy. if not you may need more sanding or start with 600 instead of 1000

 

[shadow44]

If you look closely you will see which way it runs...my Nytro went length wise ( front to back )..if I had a camera that would take that good of a pic i'd show ya...just look real close at it and you will see.