I have a GP pitts 1/3 with the polished alu spinner. The spinner got scratched up and cloudy. I was running in my engine with out the wing and the hold down broke. Nose over. No damage but the spinner got scratched up. How can I polish it? There are no real deep scratches just dull looking.

Thanks in advance for the info.


me

Chrome car polish and a Dremel buffing wheel works wonders.

Go the the local motorcycle dealer and ask for a tube of SimiChrome. It's a paste type polish in a small tube, but you only need a small dab. Use a soft cotton cloth to apply it. The more you rub it, the better it gets (Don't go there...)

It'll turn black, meaning it's actually taking away some of the metal, therby polishing it.

Remove it with a clean cloth and then wash all that black crud off your hands!

I will try the polish you mentioned.

By the way, I thought your review of the Pitts was great. I have one with "no modifications" running a us 41 and love it. The metal brackets have held up great, the stock firewall and box seem to be very strong and the caban attachment wing and fuse have not budged. Don't get down on a few negative comments, I enjoy the Mag. very much and am glad it is included with my AMA membership.

Thanks for taking your time and energy to supply information on planes to other modelers.


Brandon

...instead of using a Dremel tool use a full size drill. Find a bolt that is the same diameter as your crankshaft end. Put it through the spinner backplate and use a double nut set-up to lock it in place. Chuck it up in the drill and polish away...you'll get a nice, even shine ALL around.

Second on the SimiChrome vote. I think the company that imports it from Germany is Happich. Works great on Alum landing gear and tuned pipes too! It's great stuff.

I checked at 3 places in town and they didn't have that brand polish. I ended up getting "mothers" polish for aluminum. I am going to give it a try. The directions are close to what yall have said. Put some on and rub until it turns black then polish off.

Thanks again for your help.

me

There is an excellent spinner polishing HOWTO on the Tru-Turn site.

http://www.tru-turn.com/Web-faq/FAQ-29/faq-29.HTM

I chuck my spinners in my drill press. After a little time and aluminum polish, you will have a spinner that is to bright to look at .

TRY NEVER-DULL. IT WORKS GREAT.

I have used Brasso also.

Can the spinner be put on the airplane without the prop? That'd be better than a drill press to polish it. Just a pinch of polish and an old rag is more than enough to polish up Aluminum to mirror shine. You might want to put some kind of clear coat or wax on it. Aluminum corrodes pretty easily, especially if it's raw exposed after polishing.

As Lynx asked, you can do it on a running motor. I have an old MDS 40 in a test stand. I take the hub from a broken prop and mount it with the spinner. I polish running about 8000 rpm. The only problem I have is the lint created when the rag goes over the prop cut-outs. It could get through the carb... That's why I use the MDS

LOL!!!!

I've never started an engine without a prop. Actually, I have never even considered it. I would figure with out the fly wheel effect of the prop you could blow/burn up the engine pretty easy .

Heck, we all know that it May Die Soon anyway...:d

Bolar quote: "I would figure with out the fly wheel effect of the prop you could blow/burn up the engine pretty easy."

It will spin really fast and revs quick. The main thing affected is the bottom end. Won't run much below 4000 rpm without the flywheel effect of the prop. It is also easy to pull down the rpms when you load it by pressuring the polishing cloth. I won't run it for an extended time due to the loss of air flow for cooling.

try mothers aluminum polish found in the automotive stores.. shines aluminum up very nicely.. cheap too

I would suggest maybe some prop pitch

Just kidding...Really though, crest toothpaste and a dremel works pretty good...plus you get a cavity free and minty fresh spinner. Despite the attempt at humor, crest really does work. It is gritty enough to act as a polishing agent but not too gritty to scratch. Just another option.

Mike

Try Mother's mag polish available at almost any auto or motorcycle parts store. It will make it like instant chrome!

Terry Neumann

FLITZ

FLITZ!!!

I have used them all... Mothers, Semichrome and more..
FLITZ is by far the best I have EVER used.

Try it. It is worth every penny and the best damn polish I have ever used... Aluminum, Brass, Copper and on and on...

You might start with some 'Jewelers Rouge' or rubbing compound and then finish the polish with what a lot of the others suggested "Mothers" polish.