Subject: RE: Polishing T-3 backing plate
Author: murp-@aol.com
Date: Apr 18, 2001, 8:45 PM
Post ID: 1706373948
Tom,
I have been doing a lot of sanding and polishing on my Eldo
restoration. I got a a 3/4 HP buffing motor at Harbor Freight on sale
for $79, and used 8" buffing wheels. The wheels on my Eldo had been
damaged by what looked like acid, and the rear was unsalvageable. The
front wasn't great, but it looks fine now after about 20 hrs sanding and
polishing. I used a detail sander starting with 80 grit, on up to hand
sanding with 400 and 600 grit, followed by buffing. I found it tedious
and very dirty work.
Anyway, I think you have an 850-T backing plate (as opposed to the
T-3, which has a rear disk). I also got one of these, and was
considering polishing it as well. I decided not to because it would be
very difficult and time-consuming to get to the areas around the cooling
fins on the backing plate. These are close together, and it would be
necessary to somehow get in between these. It would also be very
difficult to do a good job on the right angle areas where the cooling
fins intersect with the backing plate. So, I had it bead blasted clean
and left it at that. Let me know if you decide to tackle this.
Brian
'74 Eldo
'78 T3
Tom Bowes wrote:
| As part of my Ambo project I picked up a cush drive hub/brake from a T-3. The brake backing plate is a rough, sand-cast affair which I am thinking about polishing up to resemble the rest of the housings on the bike. My question: Have any of you had any luck with polishing these backing plates? My guess is that the thing looks to be more magnesium than aluminum and therefore may be consideably more difficult if not impossible to polish. Suggestions please. Tom '70 Ambassador '82 V50-III Shelby Township, Michigan |