Polishing Mason Stabilizer Bar Links

Polishing Aluminum Links:

John Mason uses 2024 aluminium alloy -- which is very strong, approaching quality steel in tensile strength. He processes them and has reciently been sanding the surface for that "brushed" look.

As purchased link from Mason Engineering


Close-up of the Brushed Hex surfaces


Well, I have no objections to the product. But I do have two things that bother me.
  • First, I have experience with polishing aluminium.
  • Second, I have some time on my hands.

    The steps that I show here are good for polishing aluminium and stainless in general. The only difference is how the sanding is setup. For curved surfaces hand-sanding may be best.

    I've used 600 grit wet/dry sand paper with sparkling results. It just taks a few seconds longer with the polishing step. I happen to have a BOX of 2000 grit for some auto body polishing.



    Staring with a plastic storage box lid (DON'T show my wife this photo!) I start with 600 grit and WD-40 as a honing fluid. I have 2X4 wood peices with plywood for a good surface to bear against.



    I set the part on the sand paper and begin sliding length-wise. Each surface takes me about a minute, 6 surfaces and some manipulation time; about 10 minutes per part for this operation.



    Here's what it looks like after 600 grit.



    Here's what they look like after 2000 grit. You don't have to do the 2000, I'm just showing off.
    Oh, this operation was about 10 seconds per surface, so my effort was about 2 minutes per part.



    I'm going to use this duct tape, folded over about 2 to 3 times to line the VICE JAWs to protect the parts during polishing.



    THERE. All set to start polishing.



    Slop on some MOTHER's Aluminium polish.
    I've used several other polishes in the past - Mother's works way goodest for me.
    (yeah, I was doing this at night)



    A 4-inch cotton buffing wheel on a hand-held 3/8 drill. Get a high speed, non-variable drill. They are usually really inexpensive because most people want VSRs. I think I paid $15 for it. I got two; they're perfect for polishing. This operation took me about 5-8 minutes per part.



    Before.
    After.
    Any questions?



    Both are DONE.
    Cool, huh?
    A professional polishing shop could do these both in 5 minutes for (I'm guessing) $20 for the set. Since I already have the stuff, and it's really easy to do, I can have really shiny links that being UNDER the car, nobody will ever see.
    I can't think of a neater waste of time.



    • John Savage
    aka Tunaoue