Alloy parts - to polish or not ?

[Percymon]

I've started to strip my original rough rider, and am in two minds what to do with the alloy parts.

They have a slightly dark grey patina to them currently, no surprise after 25 years, but should i just clean them up sympathetically or give them polish, not to chrome levels but to a brighter finish.

I'll be fitting a custom made Belray Bullet type front bumper, and will probably go for a custome alloy rear cage and some sort of custom exhaust too. May even at a later date splash out on some RC Channel alloy wheels !

[commiedoor]

i would just give them a buff up with fine steel wool , it leaves no polish residue and gives the alloy a new look with being over done ..

[Tamiya1/10]

I would just clean up to the point as if they were new. A good buff should be enough to keep the RC intend rather than go all bling bling.

[Percymon]

Gave the parts a good wash in soapy water this morning and a rub with some fine scotchbrite pad, they came clean but and we a tad brighter than before hand but i couldn't resist having a go with the dremel.

One of the original arms was t be replaced anyway so off i went, first with some wire wool by hand and then the Dremel with a wool polishing pad. The wire wool if anything gave a brighter finish, too bright; the dremel on the other hand gave them a bright but not polished 'chrome' finish which i'm happy with - it will no doubt age back a bit over a few months too so no bad thing.

Will rebuild the front end now before starting on the rear.

Thanks for the advice, including the email about bead blasting.

[Percymon]

All parts cleaned, latterly with a small wire brush on the Dremel as the wool pad and polish was gettign tedious lol!

Rebuild almost complete, will try to get some better pictures because the reality is a lot better than these phone camera images suggest (they actually make it look like i've done nothing )

[Percymon]

more phone pics, now i've got the electrics and the lexan body on - just need a bumper and some lights.

due to the poor quality pics it doesn't look much different to what i started with !