[Shiny]

Thanks Entropy11

I saw Ames sells it for reflectors but talked myself out of it because of "zinc". I view zinc as so reactive it won't shine for long but that's my ignorance.

Would be good to see photos.

[Redpiston]

I've been out of touch. Looks like you made great progress. With regard to pads, I use similar to headlight kit pads. I cut one down to work on small areas.

[dataway]

When I was a kid I remember my father polishing his watch "crystal" now and then with toothpaste, he'd just sit and do it with his finger while watching TV.

[Shiny]

One of my classes was a metallography lab led by a grad student TA. We were learning to polish and etch samples for microscopic examination of grain structure. It was a "just blindly follow what I tell you" teaching method.

I remember going through the progression from coarse abrasives to sub-micron slurries on wheels and feeling like I had it down. It looked perfect to me under the microscope. Just like the book.

The TA picked up my sample mount, rubbed it on his jeans, and told me to start over.

He had not looked at it.

Noted!

Practice practice practice and then practice some more.

[Entropy11]

Originally Posted by Shiny

Thanks Entropy11

I saw Ames sells it for reflectors but talked myself out of it because of "zinc". I view zinc as so reactive it won't shine for long but that's my ignorance.

Would be good to see photos.

I can’t find pics from when I did my last set of housing reflectors but did find a pic saved from one of the sites I saw mention it (website credit in pic). This is from the Aervoe/MRO Chrome #143 version if you’re looking for the same results. It’s drastically different from standard “Brite” galvanized offerings (even from the same manufacturer).

[Shiny]

Thanks for chasing that down! Looks as good as what I ended up with and a lot easier. Shoulda....

Aervoe describes it as containing zinc flake, which I find odd, but must be a decent product.

https://www.aervoe.com/product/chrome-galvanize/


Here's a link to Ames' listing:

https://www.amesperf.com/parts/46672/

[Entropy11]

Originally Posted by Shiny

Thanks for chasing that down! Looks as good as what I ended up with and a lot easier. Shoulda....

Aervoe describes it as containing zinc flake, which I find odd, but must be a decent product.

https://www.aervoe.com/product/chrome-galvanize/


Here's a link to Ames' listing:

https://www.amesperf.com/parts/46672/

Yes it's some pretty unique stuff. I was using it as a coating on everything for years because a while back you could only buy it in cases and never a single can. I had so much of it around. A few years ago Eastwood started selling it for around $25/can, but I see now you can even get it off eBay for a fraction of that.

Odd part is... I'd assume this "chrome" version to have the highest percentage of zinc, but maybe just in a much finer gain size. In actuality it has the least zinc percentage (10%) while their other offerings with a matte finish have upwards of 80-90%.

I wouldn't recommend blowing a fortune on it if you have a system that works... But I just remember reading some good results from others and was very happy myself with it.

This is from their product description:

"A reflective chrome coating containing zinc flakes and the properties of chrome.

Convenient application when hot-dip repair is necessary
Fast-drying – to touch in 10 minutes
Bright, shiny chrome finish
For best corrosion protection use as a topcoat over #7007 Cold Galvanize or 7008 Brite Galvanize when a chrome finish is desired
Applications: pipes, heavy equipment, highway guardrails, bridges, metal fences, storage tanks, transformers, signs, over welds, or anywhere a chrome finish is desired.

Aervoe MRO Chrome Galvanize Coating repairs hot-dip galvanizing that has been damaged by abrasion, scratching, cutting or welding. Cosmetically repairs both ferrous and nonferrous surfaces. An exceptionally smooth-flowing product that leaves a bright metal coating with a reflective metallic sheen. The Zinc fuses to metal substrates.

Benefits:

MRO Chrome Galvanize, with 10% Zinc, will restore galvanized surfaces to the bright look of hot-dip. Stops rust and corrosion on any iron or steel surface. Chrome Galvanize offers the convenience of on-the-job application when hot-dip repair is necessary. Does not contain lead, chromates, methylene chloride, or fluorocarbon propellants."