Polishing zinc coated billet aluminum ????

[Sgreg]

Polished my a-- off on some aluminum wheel centers only to realize they are zinc coated and won't polish until the zinc is removed. I want to put a mirror polish on them to match the wheel rims. What is the best way to cut the zinc coat to get to the aluminum ??? Anyone done this ?? Thanks for the help. I hate to just grind them down and have to polish out deep swirls. :cheers:

[GOLDCYLON]

Polished my a-- off on some aluminum wheel centers only to realize they are zinc coated and won't polish until the zinc is removed. I want to put a mirror polish on them to match the wheel rims. What is the best way to cut the zinc coat to get to the aluminum ??? Anyone done this ?? Thanks for the help. I hate to just grind them down and have to polish out deep swirrels. :cheers:


Carter may know ? :hello:

[Sgreg]

Carter may know ? :hello:

Yeah, but Carter won't tell me ! :mrgreen:

[carter200]

Yeah, but Carter won't tell me ! :mrgreen:

Send em to me and I'll machine the zinc off and then you can polish to your little hearts content ;)

[Sgreg]

Send em to me and I'll machine the zinc off and then you can polish to your little hearts content ;)

Carter, to tell you the truth I am guessing they have a zinc coat because Billet polish does not turn my rag black when buffing them. Not a clear coat. Would that be your guess, too ? I did not know zinc is that much harder a metal than aluminum. I guess I just need to get after them with some 200 grit and take the zinc off and then worry about the smooth polishing. I think this is something I should be able to do without bothering you. Really appreciate the offer though. :cheers:

[carter200]

If done right the zinc coating is a bear to deal with. It sure does protect the part. Good luck. :cheers: