Kirkham from file finish to full polish in Melbourne, Australia?

[MrWhite]

Hi

KMP762 has recently arrived in Melbourne in a raw file finish and i am trying to find somebody with experience in polishing (previous experience with a kirkham would be preferable) to fully polish the vehicle.

The vehicle is currently in Campbellfield and Neil Thompson of Grand Tourer Resto's will most likely be importing more, so mine may be the first of many requiring a full polish.

Does anybody know of someone who could do the job?

Thanks

MrWhite

[stiffy]

Mr White,

I know a lot of polishers.....................

I will ask them,,,,,,,,,


STIFFY

[Rog246]

I've met a few in my time too Stiffy-didn't think of them as polishers though, more Owner/Operators

[stephen low]

You talking to yourself again Herr Stiffness??

[Dimis]

Just get a bottle of Jiff and have a go

[Donunder]

I'd recommend sending Aussie Mike a PM regarding Heisenberg's buff-up.

He has many contacts in the Melbourne area.

[dave295]

I'm assuming the body is aluminium.
Do a search on polishing aluminium car bodies on you-tube and give it a go.

Although I have to admit the only polishing of aluminium I've done involves polishing off a carton or two of beer.

Cheers

Dave

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Just get a bottle of Jiff and have a go

Dimis, is that how you polished yours? I noticed it was half done when I last visited the workshop.

[PatBuckley]

Well, I am retired and have yet to visit your part of the world.....

Just kidding, did it once. That's enough.

[deano59]

is it as shiny as this one

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by sambo

Dimis, is that how you polished yours? I noticed it was half done when I last visited the workshop.

Nope!

I just sanded away... using an orbital sander and a cheap ar$e air compressor.

FWIW: The metals and jewellery guys here at work here recommended toothpaste

What you mean HALF DONE!?
You're a glass half full kind of guy aint you?

[sambo]

Ok how about "two thirds of three quarters done"?

[sambo]

Double post

[MrWhite]

thanks for your responses, i had considered doing it myself but my time is better spent working at what i know and paying someone else to do it. the search continues

[renovationinnov]

mr white ever thought to ring alloy bill bar polishers & see if they have someone that wants to do a weekend job of polishing it for you as these guys do it for a job & polish lots of thing as well
or maybe a marine boat place they polish fittings aswell

[MrWhite]

Hi renovationinnov

I spoke to David Kirkham yesterday and he advised me that some inexperienced people have "burnt the body" i think was the term he used and the body is quite thin compared to these fittings and they use machines that take off multiple layers so thanks for the suggestion but i am reluctant to give it to somebody without the requisite experience.

i rcvd a private email a couple of days ago suggesting a specialised car restorer in bayswater and i have been talking to him so i have another avenue to follow but after my discussion with Dave unless i find someone soon i think ill head down the painting path.

Thanks

[400TT]

The aluminium bodies require a specialist to work with them, especially if you want a full polished finish.

The work required is extensive, especially the way Kirkham's are finished. That is why Kirkham charge what they do to finish a body.

It requires a specialist to be able to panel beat the body straight, to be able to take out all scratches etc while leaving the maximum amount of material left. The real danger is thin spots.

The polished finish will show up any and all blemishes.

In our experience you will need someone that can do small weld repairs as well if you want a finish of high quality.

Then you have the added complexity of polishing it, through trial and error we came up with the system we have now. You will need specialist tools even for polishing process. The polishers and polishing supply people we contacted could not get a desirable result, so we worked out our own approach.

The more raw the finish, the more it hides the imperfections, so brushed body is easier. Although we do the same level of work for both, so you can swap between them.

We trained our own guys to do aluminium body work.

To me the main attraction of an aluminium body is to leave it unpainted.

[ItBites]

WHy not buy it from kirkham with a polished finish?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by ItBites

WHy not buy it from kirkham with a polished finish?

Sounds simple enough... But we do get stung an extra motza on the import tax.

So its not just the $15k usd

[Rog246]

Mr White, why don't you try some aeronautical places in Melbourne. there are still lots of polished aircraft getting about. Someone must be doing it.
Just a thought as thats where the idea originally came from