Polishing Steel

[ryanjorr]

I just picked up a large sheet of steel (2' x 4' x 1/4") from the metal yard and would like to know the best/cheapest/easiest way to polish it for use as a back-riveting plate. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Ryan
RV-7
N930SM
Empenage almost finished

 

[LifeofReiley]

I just picked up a large sheet of steel (2' x 4' x 1/4") from the metal yard and would like to know the best/cheapest/easiest way to polish it for use as a back-riveting plate. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Ryan
RV-7
N930SM
Empenage almost finished

man... that's one HUGE back rivet plate!

 

[ryanjorr]

Cheap, too! Only $20!

 

[az_gila]

Scotchbrite

If it is pretty flat and not corroded....

Try red scotchbrite in an orbital sander.

 

[Randy Hooper]

Shined mine 10 years ago

I took a hand grinder with a 60 grit paper disk. Got the finish I wanted, then applied oil to discourage rust.
It has been shining every since.

Randy Hooper

 

[mannanj]

Polish

After you polish a while, you're probably gonna want to cut that sucker down to about a quarter of the original size!!!!!!!!!!

The 60 grit sounds about right. You can Scotchbrite after that for a good polish.

Are you Sam's son???????????

 

[ryanjorr]

It's very flat and not corroded...I'll try the 60 grit...and scotchbrite. Thanks for the tips!

And nope, not Sam's son...don't even know Sam, but thanks for asking!

 

[cytoxin]

i did the 60 on a side grinder and then 80 on a DA sander. oiled as prescribed. mine is 1/2 by8x18 and a 4x4 angle bolted to the side of the table. which is made from 4 inch channel

 

[Rivethead]

Scotch bright and an orbital sander, as has already been mentioned, if the surface is any where near flat. I used the top of my Delta Unisaw to rivet part of my rudder on. Didn't harm the top of the saw at all and worked like a charm.

 

[DaX]

I used 80 grit and a belt sander to get mine down, but my piece was heavily scaled. My plate is 1/2" x 4" x 75" and is routed into the table. Worked great.