How to polish checker/diamond plate step by step

[@JP-og2wt]

Thanks for sharing your process. I’ve had the hardest time with diamond plate and the compound just sticking everywhere. Doesnt happen to me on tanks or rims. Just on diamond. Wasn’t sure if it was because I only used 3500rpm instead of 6k. This is a great video. Really appreciate how you took time to explain your process thoroughly. I hope you are willing to put out more videos. Thanks for being willing to share your knowledge 👍

[@sixshinez9290]

No problem, hope it helps you out, thanks.

[@bruceturek262]

Thanks for sharing. that plate out sweet I got a couple of sheets to polish this help me out to get started thanks again

[@sixshinez9290]

I'm glad it helped you. Just be patient, it will get shiny!!!

[@jeffhenderson934]

I’m going to put this to the ultimate test. I have now a 13 year old trailer that hadn’t moved in 8 years. The diamond plate was so oxidized I considered just replacing, but the previous owner went Diamond Plate crazy. I’ll report back. If this works on my trailer it’s going to work on anyone’s. (It’s really the worst I’ve seen) Thanks for putting the video together and the helpful hints.

[@sixshinez9290]

If it is as bad as it sounds I would recommend using a bri tex wheel first. It is a large scotch Brite type wheel which works similar to sanding. You run it at about 1200 rpm, it will definitely help before you begin the polishing process!

[@TonyGarrett-p1c]

Nice video. Much of my diamond plate on tool boxes seems to have some sort of finish that is peeling off.

[@Aethalops]

Great vid! It looks like these airway pads are 7-9", so only for larger grinders. Is there a pad or pad sequence you'd recommend for use with a 4.5" grinder? My goal is to restore a heavily oxidized diamond plate truck tool box.

[@steel7302]

tbh ive been in the finishing biz for years and ive tried to finish aluminum diamond tread plate and just get a icky sticky compound mess. imma try your method but gonna skip the blue/white rouge. i do know the brown (tripoli coumpound) will work on aluminum. trick must be the paint thinner and cleaning dirt off aluminum. that yellow compound we call it koker (usually cut and color for stainless) helps prevent burning of aluminum (formax stainless steel coloring compound does too) but is $20 per bar. gonna check out your channel

[@sogno2me]

Thanks. Really good video. I tried to do it in my project but gave up because my wheel was too small. Finished by hand but not as good as what you got. Thumbs up!

[@sixshinez9290]

I am going to post alot more videos this year, I will make one on pads and bars and how to use them. Thanks for watching!

[@jec0435]

It would be nice if you covered your tools too, buffing wheels etc. So we know where to get them. Thanks!

[@alannorman8764]

Do you recommend using any type of sealant or wax to prolong and keep shine longer

[@daviddemulling5487]

So I polished the diamond plate on IceHouse using this awesome video. The Ice house has probably not been polished since 2009 when it was new. It definitely looks better but there is a lot of areas that I could not get rid of what I assume is pitting. Also some areas seem to have a haze Any ideas?

[@timmyspillz7227]

what kind of grinder and pads are you using

[@lacofdfireman]

Looks like your polishing with a grinder? I have a 6-7” Makita variable speed up to 6k can I buy the wheels etc to polish for the Makita? I believe it’s a 5/8” bolt the bad would screw onto. Also where do you buy the polishing wheels and rouge? I live in California and need to polish up the Diamond plate on our Fire Engine. I’ve just been using Chemical Guys Metal X heavy aluminum polish. It’s ok but far from a mirror finish. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[@sixshinez9290]

Hello, you can run that makita, those polishing wheels are rated at 3200rpm max but lots of guys run them qt 6k but you absolutely would need to buy the self centering flanges running at 6k for safety. They can blow apart and be quite dangerous at that speed. 5/8 is the right size. I buy my stuff in Canada because I live here. California has lots of retailers for the products, I believe one is called highway shine. Thanks for fighting fires for us all! 🙏

[@johngunter4057]

Does anyone know what type thinner he was talking about please

[@markwitham6784]

Gr8 video mate,, i need to do this down the sides of my caravan. Is it just paint thinners you use??

[@sixshinez9290]

Thanks Mark. As you can see, the Rouge ( polishing bar/paste) does the polishing, the thinner helps flow it along so it doesn't get caked in on the edges. Hope that helps!

[@joshauger9726]

But are you using paint thinner ? Is it straight or diluted ? And can you sand diamond plate ?

[@ph8768]

I have some light gouges in my diamond plate. Is there a method to take some of the sharp edges out of the gouges or lessen the gougey appearance of them?

[@sixshinez9290]

On diamond plate it is difficult, only thing you can really do is try to sand it 180 , 220,320,400,600 grit, but again can be hard to get at. Whatever you do, DO NOT use a flap disk or alike!

[@anthony2716]

Nice work. Just a quick question what condition would you have said that piece was? I work at a truck shop and I buy all my own polishing stuff and we have a project going on right now and I have so much oxidation on the diamond plate and it’s just caking up running at 3000 rpms. I won’t disclose who’s products I use publicly.

[@sixshinez9290]

Checker/ diamond plate is every experienced polishers dread. It is always the first thing new guys are trained on, 1. Because it's a slow process, and 2. Because it requires no finishing skills. They're a number of options to speed things up, if its " caking " spray your surface with paint thinner, itll help your rouge soften and work through. Use it frequently add more rogue as nec6. Hope that helps

[@r0ckworthy]

@@sixshinez9290 What do you mean by nec6?

[@sixshinez9290]

@@r0ckworthy Necessary *

[@BillyBob-vz8ol]

i need a polish shop in maryland

[@sixshinez9290]

Good let's get one going!

[@jr-gg8ci]

What type of thinner are you using?

[@sixshinez9290]

Paint thinner

[@jr-gg8ci]

What i meant was is it a lacquer thinner or a mineral spirits , acetone.....

[@yamahaMXrider125]

paint thinner is none of the ones you mentioned, they are all different products

[@jr-gg8ci]

Yes different products but read the ingredients in different types of thinners. Every type i mentioned is in different products sold as paint thinners besides lacquer thinner

[@jr-gg8ci]

Mineral spirits is in almost every oil based paint thinners

[@kennethdandurand3472]

Gun Wash or Gum Wash?

[@sixshinez9290]

Gunwash, you can get it at any autobody supplier

[@JacobAHull-nx6rx]

I just fishing polishing my diamond plate tool box. It was pretty bad so it took me a long time. I used the zepher wheels. I need to get a full face mask cause this stuff goes everywhere. Have you used the zepher wheels ?do you like them? I seemed to have some issues with the rouge getting stunk on the sides of the diamonds. Went through almost a whole brown bar. Does that seems normal. These pads are expensive. I almost used up the whole yellow wheel. Is there a harder surface wheel that can be used to cut faster?

[@sixshinez9290]

I personally do not like zephyr wheels, they're unbalanced and it vibrates your hand and is hard on equipment. If you want to speed up process you can use a bri tek wheel to condition checker first, it's like a big scotch Brite pad but on wheel. Checker does use quite a bit of bar and is slow, it is always the first thing my trainees are put on cause I've done enough lol!

[@FloridaGrownGirl]

Ok so if I want to find a place locally that does this where am I calling...a body shop?

[@sixshinez9290]

Hi there, I would suggest looking for a metal polishing company in your area.

[@erikadams4835]

Where do I get the polishing pads you use?

[@sixshinez9290]

I get them from a dealership here in Calgary Canada but I may be starting my own online store and distribute. Where about are you located?

[@Gmen3232]

If you do online store I'll buy from ya. As I get mine from a trucking company in Calgary. I'm in BC. Cheers mate

[@bertplank4937]

Which dealership in Calgary?

[@jasonmichaud5489]

Acid base wheel cleaner and just wipe it off then polish

[@sixshinez9290]

Depends , sure if it's diluted properly can help, however, if not used right, can "dry" out the aluminum making it worse, depends whether on as well

[@MyNavy1234]

Do you sell the wheels now I was getting them from Wilson polishing but my guy give it up I’m looking for a new guy now I’m in Ontario

[@sixshinez9290]

Hi Greg, matchless wheels were by FAR the best ever made, perfectly balanced and phenomenal cloth. Unfortunately they sold to osborn and they still have yet to produce the wheels.

[@kevkill808]

What rpms are you poilshing at???

[@sixshinez9290]

3600 rpm

[@lyndsaysworici]

great video he would have more! it's true that when the compound is stuck on the edge of diamonds it's not pretty me perso I removed the WD40, we in France we have more diamond plate in a row by 5 see almost that and it's a real problem on the other hand but it is a little longer but it is done very well.

[@loofy26]

il utilise une meuleuse d'angle basique ou une polisseuse pro ? et c'est quoi ce type de disques, ça s'appelle cmt ? j'ai acheté ce genre de plaque diamand pour mon fumoir y'a til une méthode simple pour obtenir ce résultat que faut il acheter svp ? merci

[@sixshinez9290]

I will be posting a substantial amount more videos this year. Thanks for watching!

[@timbones7659]

I've been polishing for a long time. I wouldn't recommend spraying thinner at the same time. You are destroying the product. But some people have their own way of doing it. If it works for you that is a good thing . But it looks good though.

[@sixshinez9290]

@timbones7659 Yeah I've switched a ton up since this video. Still don't mind thinner to move the product. Bri text wheel is nice on checker as well as a 6k grinder ( 9 inch )