Anyone used 3M Deburring Wheel for Polishing Aluminum?

[Nessism]

Need something to remove stubborn corrosion pitting in some engine cases. Tried bead blasting and hand sanding to remove the damage but sick of it. Need power tools.

What do the pros use to remove the heavy oxidation? 3M deburring wheels caught my attention but open to any and all suggestions that don't involve me spending hours of hand sanding.

[posplayr]

I would use an orbital sander. As you know you put any flat spots in the engine case with that wheel you will have even moresanding to get it presentable.

[Steve]

I use the fiber sanding kit from Harbor Freight.

Just the finer ones will usually do the trick on aluminum case covers, just be sure to use the lightest touch possible.

Most of the polishing that I do will involve the fine disk and a few minutes on the wheel with white compound. Touch it up with some Mother's and it's good to go.

.

[Fjbj40]

2 inch scotchbrite discs, or equivalent, with die grinder. Depending on extent of corrosion, I usually start with burgundy, then go to blue and then white. Follow with polish of your choice.

Another option, which I have used also in aircraft corrosion removal, is http://www.cratex.com . Works VERY well and you can pin point very small hard to reach areas where the discs are too large.

cheers

[Guest]

+1 on the scotchbrite discs and angle grinder. Just use an easy touch. Worked really well for me.

[Nessism]

Used some 220 grit sandpaper on my DA and was able to make some progress. I'll go pickup some of those scotchbrite discs later today.

Of all the jobs related to restoring a bike polishing the cases is my least favorite. Truth is, I'm working on an old Kawasaki KZ. And Kawasaki did not clear coat the engine covers like Suzuki did, so the corrosion is much worse than on any GS I've restored previously.