How to Use a Dremel to Polish Aluminum
- 1). Unplug your Dremel from the electrical outlet if you have a model with a cord.
- 2). Press and hold the shaft lock button on the top of the shaft near the collet. The collet is a round metal nut that holds the Dremel attachments in the tool.
- 3). Turn the tip in the Dremel clockwise by hand until it will no longer move. Place the collet wrench over the collet nut and turn counterclockwise to loosen it.
- 4). Slide a 60-grit sanding drum into the collet and turn the collet wrench clockwise to tighten fully.
- 5). Plug the Dremel into an electrical outlet.
- 6). Hold the Dremel as you would a pencil among your thumb, forefinger and middle finger, on the indention near the tip of the shaft. Turn the Dremel to the low speed setting, or 5,000 rpm on a variable speed Dremel. Slide the “On/Off” button to the “On” position.
- 7). Pass the Dremel over the aluminum object in slow strokes from side to side, making certain to sand all areas of the metal.
- 8). Turn the Dremel off and unplug a model with a cord. Loosen the collet and slide a 120-grit sanding band onto the sanding drum.
- 9). Repeat the sanding process in the same manner. Remove the sanding drum and band, replace them with a 180-grit sanding disk, then a 220-grit disk and finally a 240-grit disk to finish sanding. Wipe the aluminum with a dry washcloth to remove any particles.
- 10
Place a polishing wheel in the Dremel and tighten it completely. Place the Dremel tip in a can of polishing rouge to apply the rouge to the polishing wheel. - 11
Polish the aluminum in the same manner as you sanded. Apply more polishing rouge as needed to obtain a high-gloss mirror finish on the aluminum.
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