Best combination for polishing aluminum?

[brandon.nickel]

I need to polish up the aluminum edging on my Featherlite trailer.  I've got the RO150E.  What pads/accessories do I need to do this task?  I've got the coarse polishing sponge and the soft interface pad, but I'm thinking I also need some felt and sheepskin.  I've got some green polishing compound (for a budding wheel) and some polishing paste (for hand-polishing metal).  Has anyone tried this?  Any suggestions?

 

[brandon.nickel]

Ok, I realize that 99.5% of the posts around here focus on woodworking, but surely I'm not the only Festool owner that uses their tools for alternate activities!  Has no-one else ever used their tools (RO150E, RO150FEQ, etc) for something other than wood?

 

[mysterium]

Hi Brandon,

I've spent a fair amount of time with a buffer in my hands... not the RO 150. 

My comments relate but not a 100% to what your trying to accomplish...

The word "edging" 'caused me to take particular note....  around edging or an edge you need to be very, very careful & watch the rotation of the buffer... always "away" from the edge.  Never "into" the edge 'cause it can catch....

To me edging means "narrow"... anyway aluminum will cause the pad to turn BLACK anything the pad touches... so again you need to watch the rotation of the pad so it is away from a painted or fiberglass panels adjacent to the aluminum edge.

Watch the cord......watch the cord!!!!!  The pad will grab a cord sooooooooo fast and slap you....  immediate contusion or rug burn.....

If the edging is thin watch that you don't rub thru.....

Wear a respirator.  Some of these rubbing compounds are silica based, thus siliceous.  Your the canary... don't wilt!!!

Good luck,
jim

 

[brandon.nickel]

Thanks for the input, Jim.  The "edging" I refer to is a 1' high band at the bottom and a 6" radius lengthwise top cap on the upper corners (24' long).  I'm looking for recommendations on which pads and polishing materials to apply to the surface.  I think the sheepskin might be too soft to do this sort of work, bein better suited to paint.  Does that sound right?

 

[Les]

Brandon,

Not done aluminum but have done cars with RO 150. I would suggest a 6" sponge pad from any auto parts store and Mothers aluminum wheel polish.

 

[brandon.nickel]

I wonder if the 6" sponge pad will have velcro on it.  Wheel polish is a good idea too.  Thanks, Les.

 

[Les]

Yes it should have velcro. All I've bought have.