Polishing Aluminium Checker plate

[Reimotim]

Hi Guys,

A couple of years ago I installed checker plate as a floor in my van. It has been great, but has become a little dull. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to bring it back up to a nice sparkle.
obviously it's a reasonable size area so I was wondering about using an angle grinder with a polishing disc or something similar, only I have no idea where to beging or what to use.
Any ideas, stories or offers to do it for free , gratefully received!

Tim

[greasemonkey]

For metal polishing I always use Autosol with a polishing mop to bring back the shine.

If the scratches and marks are deep you may need something heavy duty such as a steel cutting paste, but to be honest a few goes with Autosol should bring it up fine.

[300CE]

+1 for Autosol - I use it constantly by hand on the stainless exhaust on my scoot & it always brings it up like new. I also have a dremel type drill with a little polishing head on it which i've used for other items with the Autosol.

[Oldiebut goodie]

+2 Autosol - used to use it to polish m/c engine cases to mirror finish.

[Smosh]

+3 autosol. I used to use cif on my mini 's bumpers.
Polishing checker plate doesn't sound fun though.

[Plasticman]

on ships engine rooms all decking would be chequer, we had drums of chem that were mopped on and left then hosed of, brought them up real nice
mm

[Reimotim]

on ships engine rooms all decking would be chequer, we had drums of chem that were mopped on and left then hosed of, brought them up real nice
mm

What was it?!!!! And.... Where can I get it!

[Plasticman]

i.ll try find out , there was always a few dozen 25ltr drums kicking about hehe

[Oldiebut goodie]

on ships engine rooms all decking would be chequer, we had drums of chem that were mopped on and left then hosed of, brought them up real nice
mm

We used to use caustic soda for the decks if they had become greasy - no good on aluminium though (unless you want a colander ) neither was it good for brass fittings.

[Plasticman]

http://wssproducts.wilhelmsen.com/marin ... h-d-210-l/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
this was one used there are plenty out there
last vessel had 5 of these to run things http://www.burakmarine.com/-1-45-wartsi ... -used.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and it was only 80 odd mtrs long

mm

[Reimotim]

http://wssproducts.wilhelmsen.com/marin ... h-d-210-l/
this was one used there are plenty out there
last vessel had 5 of these to run things http://www.burakmarine.com/-1-45-wartsi ... -used.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and it was only 80 odd mtrs long

mm

Not sure if 210 litres will be enough!

Has anyone tried fitting the wartsila in their T25? Just wondering what fuel economy is like... Oh sorry probably need to start a new thread in alternative engines for that question!

[CovKid]

As mentioned in the past, do not confuse autosol with anusol. Use the wrong product and you'll still have dull metal, and/or extreme discomfort when you walk.

[paulandchez]

To help the polishing process, you can use any normal vibrating sander usually used for wood etc. The way we used to polish large jobs up was to fit an abrashive pad to the sander (we called it Birtex). You can buy them at all diy stores or places like Halfords etc. As long as your sander has clamps to hold the sanding sheets (or in this case the abrasive pad) in position, you're good to go. Then, as suggested above, use Autosol as the compound. With a sander, you'll get the floor done in no time. As you're sanding it'll leave a real dirty mess, but just wipe it off and you'll see it gleam. As far as how long it takes, basically the longer you polish the shinier it gets.

I would avoid using a grinder etc as you're more inclinde to dig in, and you'll end up with an uneven finish, which you WILL notice after you've stood back to admire it!

This is the stuff I mean:
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00UE ... -H080-.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;