Polished Body Rail

[marley618]

I haven't heard of many people polishing their body rails but i saw a polished one on this thread http://www.automags.org/forums/showt...threadid=40355

I was wondering if there as anything wrong with polishing it because I remember someone says just to buy a chrome one because raw aluminum is bad (dont remember where i saw it, some old post.) Let me know because I want an all polished/shiny mag. Thanks.

Edit: Are there any tolerance issues when you polish a mag body or a mag rail? I haven't seen that question asked and I'm curious since you are changing the thickness of the body.

[rx2]

That was my rail, and it was probably me who said to not polish aluminum, as it often doesn't turn out well.
The problem with aluminum, especially low grades, is that it will pit and oxidize when it is left unprotected. It will also hold prints very badly. In general, it won't be as shiny and nice as steel or chrome, but it can certainly be presentable. Also, there is sometimes a poblem with cheap materials and methods of production that gets uncovered when anno is removed.
The only reason I polished mine is because it got banged up pretty badly, and it looked rough. After I polished it, I put a protective coating on it. So far it has help up pretty well, but I am willing to touch it up if I need. Some people don't want to work, or don't have the proper means of touching up any problem spots. But, it is no problem for me.
As far as tolerance issues, there should be none. You aren't altering any critical surfaces, just those that are exposed.

[marley618]

Did you polish the body rail the same way you polish a mag body? And what protective coating did you put on it? I really want to try this... or is it tricky? Let me know.

[marley618]

Has anyone else had an experience with a polished body rail?

[rx2]

I used the same process for the aluminum that I used with the body. It is a little tricky when compared to steel. Aluminum has a weaker resistance toward friction, so you have to take more care not to create scratches. As far as the coating, it was some sort of sealer that my brother-in-law had gotten from his work. Like anything, it isn't permanent, but so far it has kept oxidation away. I suspect that you may be able to use a commercial sealant like a moisture-proof clear-coat. But, those will chip, and from my experience with similar coats on guitars, they can let some moisture through.
I suppose it is worth a try. I just didn't want anyone jumping in head first expecting a permanent finish.
In the meantime, I will try to dig up the specifics of everything that I did.

[marley618]

Thanks for the info, if you can find the name of the sealent you used it would help a lot. Thanks again.