how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
12-07-2014, 09:22 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Yesterday I did some major sanding on the plenum of my tpi. Starting with 80 grit all the way up to 1000 then 1000 wet. Put some aluminum restore on it, then used mothers polish with the mothers miniball. It's coming along nice but what tools can I use to get these pits out? I hand sanded everything.
12-07-2014, 12:06 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
12-07-2014, 05:20 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Trending Topics
12-07-2014, 05:24 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
12-07-2014, 06:00 PM
#9
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Yep, that's the casting.
Why are you doing it on the car? You need to remove it to do it properly.
It sounds like you don't have access to the proper equipment so, get a ROS and start with 100/120 grit and keep it flat to prevent gouging. Sand until it is smooth and all casting imperfections are gone before moving to the next grit. Then with the next grit, sand until all previous sanding marks are removed and keep working through the grits.
This method can give decent results but, will never give the finish of a proper polish and will take much longer.
I would recommend removing it and doing the whole thing.
Why are you doing it on the car? You need to remove it to do it properly.
It sounds like you don't have access to the proper equipment so, get a ROS and start with 100/120 grit and keep it flat to prevent gouging. Sand until it is smooth and all casting imperfections are gone before moving to the next grit. Then with the next grit, sand until all previous sanding marks are removed and keep working through the grits.
This method can give decent results but, will never give the finish of a proper polish and will take much longer.
I would recommend removing it and doing the whole thing.
12-07-2014, 06:43 PM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Yep, that's the casting.
Why are you doing it on the car? You need to remove it to do it properly.
It sounds like you don't have access to the proper equipment so, get a ROS and start with 100/120 grit and keep it flat to prevent gouging. Sand until it is smooth and all casting imperfections are gone before moving to the next grit. Then with the next grit, sand until all previous sanding marks are removed and keep working through the grits.
This method can give decent results but, will never give the finish of a proper polish and will take much longer.
I would recommend removing it and doing the whole thing.
Why are you doing it on the car? You need to remove it to do it properly.
It sounds like you don't have access to the proper equipment so, get a ROS and start with 100/120 grit and keep it flat to prevent gouging. Sand until it is smooth and all casting imperfections are gone before moving to the next grit. Then with the next grit, sand until all previous sanding marks are removed and keep working through the grits.
This method can give decent results but, will never give the finish of a proper polish and will take much longer.
I would recommend removing it and doing the whole thing.
12-07-2014, 07:15 PM
#11
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
As will a Haynes or Chiltons manual.
You'll need to buy gaskets, as yours are unlikely to come off in once piece.
Gotta say though, if you can't figure out how it comes off, maybe you should do quite a bit more research before even attempting it. Not saying don't do it. Just read up on the boards.
As well as searching google and youtube for basic aluminum polishing guides. There are videos demonstrating the techniques.
12-09-2014, 01:24 PM
#12
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...-projects.html
I couldnt find my thread about when i polished my plenum and runners..but i used the same technique this guy used. the tools i used were a bandfile from harbor freight, a random orbiting sander, and an angle grinder with a cloth wheel and it came out great for me. used the bandfile for the pits, the bandfile really took a lot of material off quickly
I couldnt find my thread about when i polished my plenum and runners..but i used the same technique this guy used. the tools i used were a bandfile from harbor freight, a random orbiting sander, and an angle grinder with a cloth wheel and it came out great for me. used the bandfile for the pits, the bandfile really took a lot of material off quickly
12-09-2014, 01:41 PM
#13
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,827
Received 64 Likes
on
57 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Forums will have all of that information.
As will a Haynes or Chiltons manual.
You'll need to buy gaskets, as yours are unlikely to come off in once piece.
Gotta say though, if you can't figure out how it comes off, maybe you should do quite a bit more research before even attempting it. Not saying don't do it. Just read up on the boards.
As well as searching google and youtube for basic aluminum polishing guides. There are videos demonstrating the techniques.
As will a Haynes or Chiltons manual.
You'll need to buy gaskets, as yours are unlikely to come off in once piece.
Gotta say though, if you can't figure out how it comes off, maybe you should do quite a bit more research before even attempting it. Not saying don't do it. Just read up on the boards.
As well as searching google and youtube for basic aluminum polishing guides. There are videos demonstrating the techniques.
12-12-2014, 12:00 PM
#14
Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Fox Lake, IL
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 camaro sports coupe
Engine: Fast Burn 385
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt w/ 3.27 gears
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Look up caswell plating, and check out the finishing forums if you want professional polishing advice. I've yet to see any professional recommend the use of an angle grinder as a polisher, or to sand past 400/600 grit but to each his own.
12-13-2014, 09:03 AM
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (33)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Boosted Land
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Re: how to get "pits" out of the plenum when polishing
Lots of sanding. Theres no If and or buts about it. Look like you have a good start. So just keep sanding.
Yes its easier off the car but Dont get in over your head and try and remove it if your not confident you can.
Some good advice posted above. This will get ya started
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffin...shing-kit.html
I like to use tripoli and white rouge for polishing.
Yes its easier off the car but Dont get in over your head and try and remove it if your not confident you can.
Some good advice posted above. This will get ya started
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffin...shing-kit.html
I like to use tripoli and white rouge for polishing.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigjay89gta
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
12
10-15-2015 08:04 AM