Perfected Base Polishing, I Think....

Been laid up the past few days after an injury from working on a 1:1 truck -- so I've been trying to catch up on some tiny ones. <br><br>Some of these were corroded as sin. Others were OK. The "OK" ones came out like mirrors, and the worst of the corroded ones, like the Openfire in the middle, the Rocket-Bye top center, and the Turbofire center right, came out darn good.<br><br>The tray on the left already has some detail painting and is ready for clearcoating.<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://eric-peterson.org/images/Diecast/MoreBases02.jpg" style="border:0;"><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><br>This is: <br><br>(1) Blue Magic Liquid Metal Polish applied liberally and scrubbed in with a Lincoln Electric "fine" 1/2" x 2" brass wire brush. After this step, they will not be touched again with bare fingers until after they're clearcoated!<br><br>(2) Soaked in acetone to remove all traces of the polish for ten minutes and then brushed down with a stiff bristle brush. and more solvent.<br><br>(3) Anything that was still black got soaked for 20 minutes in distilled vinegar and then brushed down with acetone and a stiff bristle brush to get the gray residue off.<br><br>(4) 12 hours in a vibe polisher running corn cob media and enough Blue Magic to make the media smell.<br><br>(5) Another acetone dip and bristle brushing.<br><br>(6) Some of the pieces had dark, smooth spots that the Blue Magic and corn cob wouldn't remove even after all of this. These I touched up with a 1/2" felt wheel on the Dremel at half speed using Mibro #6 solid High Gloss Polishing compound. These pieces got dipped in acetone and scrubbed down again.<br><br>I'm particularly proud of the Whip Creamer and TNT Bird bases. These look pretty much like chrome.<br><br>- E

They turned out great! Just out of curiousity, how much does a vibratory ploisher cost?

Thanks! Hey, did you want me to replace that gold Hertz Shelby set? I didn't expect you to use two sets of the long stripes on one car -- they're normally for flat hood Mustang Stockers.<br><br>Vibe polishers can run $40 and up. I got mine for $48 delivered during a mail order sale through Cabellas. It's the smallest one they offered at the time, big enough to handle about 10 bases or seven or eight bodies. <br><br>Media I pick up at a local gun shop, since the shipping on it negates any mail-order price advantage. I'm told that rural WalMarts also have raw corn cob media in their pet departments for cat litter -- same stuff, one-twentieth the price -- but I've never seen it there.<br><br>- E

Too cool... After trying the ball cutter on the rivets(works excellent <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :thup --><img src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_thumbsup.gif" alt=":thup"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ) I started to wonder about what/how to tackle these bases... thank you E~ for sharing your processes'ssss with us ...... now for a supply field trip <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :tires --><img src="http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/images/smilies/drivingz.gif" alt=":tires"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smokin.gif" alt=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> B~

Hey Eric,<br><br>Thanks for the info on the polisher. I'll have to get one. I'm polishing by hand right now. I also got a Mirra Chrome paint kit, but haven't had the chance to use it yet.<br><br>As for the decal set, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sending me another gold one. I've got 6 other cars being stripped to use the other decal sets. Those things are great!<br><br>Jim

Nice &amp; shiny...<br>Hard work pays off.<br><br>S~

Jim,<br><br>Email me your address please and I'll fire off another sample set, metallic gold, GT350H.<br><br>- E

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Thanks!<br><br>Oooh, I think it's the media and the polish. Walnut shells are pretty course -- used to pull off corrosion and take down rough edges, but not generally for fine finish. You can use walnut sheels in abrasive blast systems! Corn cob media is fairly fine and soft, just a carrier for the polish. And I don't think Brasso is the best choice, either. Doesn't the Brasso label say specifically to NOT use it on aluminum? I went looking for some months ago, found it, didn't buy it... and I seem to remember that was because it's not for aluminum alloys.<br><br>Untreated corn cob media with a couple spoonfuls of Blue Magic. It'll polish.<br><br>- E

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Hello Eric ,<br> Your base shining method is hands down the BEST method . I have been using it since . In my opinion , everyone should use this method on all bases . You would be pretty hard pressed and have a pretty bad base to have to replate it . <br>Thanks Eric fir sharing ,<br>Mike.

nice work hopefuly i can get my open fire base and motor to shine like that