Tip number one. If you put something together and notice down the road that you did it incorrectly don't get frustrated. Start all over and remember, this is supposed to be fun.
My polishing process (This bike is for riding not for show)which is not to make it like a mirror finish but more like it may have looked like when it was new is as follows.
-Orbital sander with 220 grit until all the big scratches are gone.
-600 grit by hand, dry . (This takes several hours) depending on the size of the piece. Until all the orbital sanding swirl marks are gone.
-1000 grit dry sand till all the 600 grit marks are gone
-1000 grit wet
-Polish on 8 inch grinder, coarse buffing pad with grey compound.
-Polish on 8 inch grinder, finishing buffing pad with white compound.
-look for sanding marks in sunlight if any found re-sand with wet 1000 grit and start polishing process again.
The old rusty chrome has just been polished on a coarse pad with finishing compound. Enough to remove the rusty spots. I you look super close at the bike in person you can see minor pitting in the chrome after polishing but it think it looks cool. Be careful if you polish too mush, chrome will be removed.
The other flat bits have been bead blasted and clear coated. I have a bead blaster at work.
The engine case halves for example have bee washed in a water based parts cleaner not bead blasted. I brings back the shine of old aluminum. We call the stuff (Ozzy juice) at work.
