Aluminium Polishing Kit for Drills (Mops, Mandrel & Compound)

Aluminium dulls to a chalky grey as it oxidises. This drill-mounted aluminium polishing kit cuts through that oxidation and takes bare aluminium to a bright, reflective finish.

Use it on motorbike engine covers, boat and caravan trim, cookware and anything else in bare aluminium.

What’s in the kit

• 1 x reverse-thread mandrel (6mm shank, fits any standard drill)
• 1 x 75mm dry sisal mop (coarse, for removing scratches and oxidation)
• 1 x 75mm white stitched mop (medium, for refining the finish)
• 1 x 75mm soft WDR mop (for the final shine)
• 1 x bar of brown cutting compound for non-ferrous metals
• 1 x bar of blue polishing compound for non-ferrous metals

What you can use it on

• Motorbike and car engine covers, casings and brackets
• Boat, caravan and motorhome trim
• Bare polished alloy wheels
• Pans, trays and aluminium ornaments

How to use it

1. Wash the item in warm soapy water to remove grease and dirt, then dry it.
2. Slide a mop between the two washers on the mandrel and tighten the reverse-thread nut. The reverse thread stops it undoing as it spins. Fit the mandrel into your drill.
3. Load the coarse sisal mop: run the drill and press the darker cutting compound against the spinning mop for a second or two. Clamping the bar in a vice or G-clamp makes this easier.
4. Work over the surface with light, even pressure. Keep the mop moving so it never sits in one spot.
5. Change to the white stitched mop to refine the finish, using cutting or polishing compound.
6. Finish with the soft WDR mop and the lighter polishing compound, and watch the shine come up.
7. Buff away any compound residue with a clean, soft cloth.

Good to know

• Works with a standard corded or cordless drill, an air tool, or any rotary tool that takes a 6mm spindle.
• Run at under 3,000 RPM. Faster speeds wear the mops quickly and heat the metal.
• Keep one mop for each compound so they don’t cross-contaminate.
• Skip the sisal mop if the surface only has light tarnish and start with the stitched mop.
• Aluminium leaves black residue as you polish. That is normal. Wipe it off with a clean cloth between stages.

Questions

Can I polish my alloy wheels?

Only bare, uncoated alloy. Most alloy wheels are painted or clear-coated, and the coating has to be removed before the metal can be polished.

Will it work on anodised aluminium?

Polishing removes anodising, so we don’t recommend it unless you want to take the part back to bare metal.

Why is my cloth turning black?

That is oxidised aluminium and compound coming off. It is normal. Keep wiping with a clean cloth until it comes away clean.

Does the price include VAT?

Yes. The price shown includes UK VAT, and most items ship free within the UK.

Safety

Always follow your drill’s instructions and wear eye protection and gloves. Tie back loose clothing and hair, work in a well-ventilated area and clean up dust and compound residue afterwards. Test on a hidden area before you start.

Related: How to polish aluminium to a mirror finish | All metal polishing kits | Non-Ferrous Metal Polishing Kit | How to polish motorbike engine casings