The Steel Guitar Forum

I am looking to have some vintage cast aluminum Steel Guitar parts repaired (scratches) and polished to the highest standard.

Any good recommendations as to WHO to entrust them to?

Thanks!... J-D.

This the standard for any metal....steelGuitars, Harleys, etc...

Larry Allen wrote:This the standard for any metal....steelGuitars, Harleys, etc...

Sounds like he wants to send them out to a professional polisher to get a heavy-duty polisher job to remove deeper scratches. That polish will not get rid deeper scratches.

Yes, I need a PROFESSIONAL polishing service.

Thanks!... J-D.

I was rebuilding an old ZB and I wound up buying this:

Any high speed (3500 rpm) 1/2 horse motor, and spindle, and polishing buffs (most available at harbor freight) will do the job. I've been using an old grinder for 25-30 years that I bought at garage sale for 5 bucks. Best fast cutting coumpound is Tripoli,,,then some polishing rouge. Probably less than 75 bucks for everything,,,then when finished sell to get most back. YMMV

There is one in TN that the steel guitar builders use. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name. Try google.

I have polished aluminum for over 50 years and have a polishing machine with 12 inch x 2 inch thick wheels. Polishing is a two step process, cutting and polishing. The cutting is done on an airway wheel using Tripoli. The polishing step is done with a loose stitched wheel and either of two white compounds, depending on whether you want a satin or mirror finish. If you need scratches polished out, send it out to a polishing shop. I can polish out light scratches, but not deep ones. If you polish long enough with lot of pressure on one area, you will polish a groove or valley in that one area that will look worse than the scratch. The cure is worse than the disease. Save yourself a lot of work and agony. Send it out to a place that knows what they're doing.

BTW, I don't polish anymore. Too bad of a back.

Buds Polishing Shop, Inc

4513 Circle Drive
Pegram, TN 37143
(615) 646-6371

George,
It's a dirty job too!
Erv

Yes, Bud's is the place. They are very experienced with with steel guitar parts.

Erv, most people have no idea how dirty the job is, or how physical it is. I wore a dedicated shop apron, a mask, a face shield, welding gloves (due to the friction heat generated), long sleeve shirt, and a ball cap. Anybody that does this for a living has one of the worst jobs in the world and if they don't get paid at least $50.00 an hour, they should find another job.

Erv Niehaus wrote:George,
It's a dirty job too!
Erv

... and unhealthy, unless you do it rally outdoors. I won't do it.

thanks!... J-D.

John Macy wrote:Buds Polishing Shop, Inc

4513 Circle Drive
Pegram, TN 37143
(615) 646-6371

Thanks John!... J-D.

It really is a dirty job. I don't do much of it anymore, but if I have to, I wait for a windy day and do it outside with the wind blowing away from me.

I have had nunerous steel parts done and their work was always good. Blue Mountain Metal Finishers.
137 Kline Road
Bethel Pa.
19507 NW Corner of I 78 & Pa Rt 419
Phone 717 933 1643
If you have a truck driver friend get them to deliver,
The Interstate drivers probably know right where it is next interchange East of Midway Diner off I 78

Erv Niehaus wrote:I was rebuilding an old ZB and I wound up buying this:

How well did that work out? Asking for myself..

It really worked out great.
I got a kit from Eastwood that included the buffer, several different buffing wheels, dust mask, leather gloves, several different grades of buffing compounds
and the pedestal. This was back in 2014 and it cost me $339.99
Erv

I have a Eastwood 10 inch buffer that does a great job. One horsepower two speed, 1850 and 3600 rpm. It is a dirty task but worth the effort when you see the new finish on your parts

Bob,
Yes, you are correct.
Erv

The absolute best I've see at polishing steel parts is Doug Moss in Pegram, Tennessee. PM me for phone number.