Where can I get a V8 block polished?

[hooblah]

Looking for somewhere that can polish an aluminium V8 engine block. Vibratory finishing would most likely be the cheapest solution. Googling for vibratory finishing just brings up a load of manufacturers for tumbler machines. Any ideas?

 

[Bobtail4x4]

find a large drum with lid,
knock up some rollers with some means of powering them,
inset block and medium, ---wait several hours.

 

[brightspark]

beadblasting 0r aqua blasting places none of the above will polish . it just clean and peen

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

A polished effect will only come from many hours of effort with hand and power tools once the part is clean. There is no silver bullet.

 

[brightspark]

A polished effect will only come from many hours of effort with hand and power tools once the part is clean. There is no silver bullet.

and polishing wont help for heat dissipation

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

This guy is good.

 

[RichardM]

Ask these people if they are able to do it.

Stephen Smethurst - http://aloh.co.uk/samples/

If it is to use as an engine personally I wouldn't, you will need to check and remove any stray media from oilways.

 

[hooblah]

The block will be turned into a table.

I heard vibratory finishing can provide a pretty good polish. I'm not looking for perfect results, just good enough. Time VS cost etc.

Building a tumbler isn't a bad idea, but it is more punishing than vibrating media. I'd rather avoid knocking off all the edges if I can help it.

 

[Ruffian]

Chrome powder coat?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

A low cost option is wire brushing, I did this with an angle grinder and die grinder.

 

[8ob]

Would drowning the block in hibuild primer and giving it a few coats of that chrome paint not be an option

Bob

 

[stuvy]

Chrome powder coat?

It’s crap, not shiny and really dull

 

[tom2207]

acid dip it , then lacquer it

 

[Morrisman]

A polished effect will only come from many hours of effort with hand and power tools once the part is clean. There is no silver bullet.

I’ve seen video of it being done on a cast iron Chevy block, a good long weeks full time work by a guy who does it for a living, with all sorts of little grinders, discs etc. Then it was chromed, along with just about every other piece of metal on the car. T‘was an open wheeler shot rod.

$127,000 chromers bill!

 

[a111r]

Or strong alkali dip (NaOH) ...removes the grease, turns it all black, then buff with wire cup brushes etc.

 

[ronan]

I used to bead blast motorcycle cases at work and then scrub them with scotchbright pads and plenty of hot water and washing up liquid. The came up lovely. You wouldn't want it too shiny anyway, you want it a bit industrial looking.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, The amount of time and effort required will be determined by whether it was diecast or sand cast.

Colin

 

[Morrisman]

Bearing in mind the Rover block, if it’s a Rover you are using, is rough cast, so the best you’ll do is make it shiny and clean, not polished.

 

[jsf55]

Should do what Langy did with his and spray it in metalflake

 

[hooblah]

A low cost option is wire brushing, I did this with an angle grinder and die grinder.

View attachment 326161

View attachment 326164

Looks ok but not shiny enough. Mass finishing will give a better result from what I've seen.

I used to bead blast motorcycle cases at work and then scrub them with scotchbright pads and plenty of hot water and washing up liquid. The came up lovely. You wouldn't want it too shiny anyway, you want it a bit industrial looking.

Got any pics?

Hi, The amount of time and effort required will be determined by whether it was diecast or sand cast.

Colin

I don't have time so I'd rather pay someone else to do it. I realise it would take many hours by hand. Mass finishing gives very good results. It's not labour intensive as the vibratory machine does the work for you, and hence the price isn't stupid either. Win win.

Should do what Langy did with his and spray it in metalflake

Any pics?