Auto Parts Polishing

Question: I am interested in starting a metal polishing business mainly for car parts. I am wondering if your wet tumblers would be best and what type of media would be best for polishing aluminium, rough cast intake manifolds? I have polished some by hand using sand papers, air grinders with various deburring bits and abrasive wheels, polishing wheels and compounds. This is very time consuming, dirty and tiring work. I am looking at an easier way! I am also interested in smoothing and peening other cast or forged metal parts for increased strength and durability!

Response: There are a number of different ways to clean and polish auto parts. Depending on the final finish required and the size, shape and geometry of the part, the final surface finish can range from a smooth, bright finish all the way to a near mirror finish.

If parts simply need to be cleaned prior to painting or coating, blasting with Glass Bead will result in a smooth, satin-like or matte surface finish. If additional polishing is needed, vibratory (or barrel) tumbling with a Polishing Precision Ceramic or Stainless Steel Media can produce much smoother, brighter finishes. The key with both processes is to select the proper media shape and size based on the part and areas of the part that need to be finished. The size of tumbling equipment is based on the size and quantity of parts that need to be finished.