While hand polishing works well for small areas, oxidation removal, or quick touch-ups, machine polishing is your go-to for large surfaces, heavy oxidation, or achieving a deep mirror finish. In this guide, we’ll walk through a step-by-step process for restoring shine on aluminum diamond plate using a rotary polisher, plus pro-level tips for dealing with holograms.
0.1What You’ll Need
| Category | Items |
| Polishing Tools | Rotary polisher, rotary extension shaft, 6” & 3” backing plates |
| Pads | Wool cutting pads (7.5″, 3.5″), foam polishing pads (6″, 3.5″) |
| Chemicals | Aluminum polish, metal sealant or ceramic coating |
| Accessories | Nitrile gloves, microfiber towels, foam applicator pads |
| Optional | Cotton rounds, cornstarch, safety glasses, leather gloves |
1.0Step-by-Step Machine Polishing Process
1.1Thoroughly clean the aluminum plate:
Start by washing the surface with a gentle cleaner to remove dirt, grease, and oxidation buildup. Rinse and dry completely using a clean towel.
1.2Choose the right pad and machine combo:
- Heavy oxidation: Start with a wool cutting pad for the first pass, then follow up with a foam pad for refining.
- Light oxidation: You can go straight to foam pads.
- Tight areas or between grooves: Use a rotary extension shaft with smaller diameter pads.
1.3Apply and spread the polish:
Apply a small amount of aluminum polish either directly onto the surface or onto the pad.
Start the machine at low speed and gently spread the product over the section you’re working on.
1.4Begin polishing at medium speed:
Switch to a medium speed and use steady, overlapping passes:
- Follow the grain direction if the diamond pattern is visible
- On flat or texture-free areas, work in any controlled direction Work one small section at a time for about a minute each.
1.5Wipe off residue and inspect:
- Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe off leftover polish.
- Cornstarch tip: Dusting a small amount of cornstarch can help lift stubborn residue without scratching.
- Check the gloss—if it’s even and reflective, you’re good to move on.
1.6Continue across the surface:
If you’re happy with the section, move to the next—make sure to slightly overlap edges to avoid uneven gloss.
1.7Rework areas as needed:
If the results fall short:
- Try a more aggressive wool pad or a more abrasive polish
- Add another round of cutting/polishing
- Swap in fresh pads and go over the area again
2.0How to Remove Holograms from Machine-Polished Aluminum Diamond Plate
After using a rotary polisher—especially with a wool cutting pad—you might notice faint swirl marks or ghost-like streaks on the aluminum surface. These are known as holograms, and they can dull the overall finish. Here’s how to get rid of them and restore a flawless, glassy shine.
Steps to Remove Holograms
2.1Switch to a foam cutting pad:
Start by re-polishing the surface using a rotary foam cutting pad. This helps eliminate deeper swirl marks left from the wool stage.
2.2Follow up with a dual-action (DA) polisher:
Pair a soft foam finishing pad with a high-quality aluminum polish. The DA machine’s motion smooths out uneven gloss and effectively removes holograms.
2.3Test and fine-tune your combo:
Not all holograms are the same depth. Try different foam pads on small sections to find the pad/polish combo that works best for your situation.
2.4Final Tips for a Mirror-Like Aluminum Finish
- Work from aggressive to fine: Always refine in stages
- Match your tools to the oxidation level
- Use foam pads and DA polishers to eliminate holograms
- Avoid overheating, leftover polish, and overworking the surface
- Seal the shine with a ceramic metal coating once complete
With the right tools, technique, and a bit of patience, you can achieve a mirror finish on aluminum diamond plate that rivals chrome.
References
www.drbeasleys.com/blog/2024/10/29/how-to-polish-aluminum-diamond-plate
