Is it hard to polish an alternator?

[Assailant]

Hey people I was wondering how diffcult would it be to polish up an alternator, everything else on my engine looks smick but the old looking alternator just doesn't to appealing to the eyes. Should I just buy a new one?

I know it's possible yet I never pulled an alternator apart and wondering if they is anything I should look out for before I pulled it apart? how hard it to put back together? and is it worth the trouble??

Thanks in advance

[tooch]

Not sure on what your exact alternator looks like, but generally you would just unbolt the pulley, and any connectors that are bolted on, and separate the 2 halves of the alternator. Everything inside should come out fairly easily.

[TopSecret]

If you just want to clean it just go and buy a wire brush to fit in a powerdrill from Super Cheap (thats where I got mine from) ands polish it up like that. If you want to completely service it you'll need to pull it all apart which isnt too difficult, but usually the bearings need to be pressed in so you will need a press. I got mine serviced at an auto electrician and it only cost $80 for new bearings, get it cleaned up and give it a coat of paint.

[tooch]

That would work, but I'd be a little worried about all the shit going in through the vents and getting into the windings and the other moving parts.

[wilbo666]

Getting the front pulley off might be a challange! But once that is off the rest shouldn't be too hard to get apart!

Once apart it should be pretty easy to polish up! I say go for it!

You could always paint it tho if getting it apart looks too hard (tho I think you can do it )?

Cheers
Wilbo

[Pube]

I pulled my alternator apart and attempted to polish it.....I gave up after a while. Its quite difficult to polish around all the vents and crap. My advice is to go get a new one or paint the one ya got!

[ace]

There'll be plenty f links on the net about taking apart and servicing an alternator.
I say just paint it....

[Assailant]

Thanks for everyones input.. +rep points for all

I've just added a pic of my disgusting looking alternator...

I think I will definetly try and get the whole thing polished unless I get lazy

[LeeRoy]

I was totallt thinking about this today cause i just bought a crusty EA Falcon Alt and its dirty as and looks shithouse. I was thinking of getting it powder coated but i'd like a nice polished one. That bolt holding the pulley definately looks like it will be giving me some heartache getting it off. Let us know how you go.

- LeeRoy

[old_mr2]

Your alternator is a little dull compared to your sweet as looking engine bay...
At bunnings you can buy a set of polishing wheels for about 19 dollars. They are drill attachments. I think the brand is Josco. You apply this special chalk and yeah they bring out that raw shine.
It would work well for you on the flat areas. If you could manouvere the wheels nicely, whilst polishing you could probably get into most of those grooves. Good luck...

[TopSecret]

That would work, but I'd be a little worried about all the shit going in through the vents and getting into the windings and the other moving parts.

Hahahaha thats probably what destroyed the bearings in it!

[ReQuieM]

That polishing sets from bunnings rule. I've used them to polish my top intercooler piping. Use a sand paper 'flapper' to get rid of the heavy rough stuff then some 800-1000 grit sandpaper by hand and finaly go the polishing buffer. Don't rush the polish tho spend a good amont of time on it. more the better. spray with degreaser to clean inbetween sandings and polishings. my pipes took about 4 hours for about a foot of 3" aluminum. Oh and you probably will burn out you drill doing this so if its not a hard core dewalt or something get your self a $15 special from kmart or supercheap ect. I was gonna do a DYI thread on this but just haven't got round to it, so if you have any more Q's about it just shoot!

[Shakotan_Aaron]

mate dont be a pussy just go for it!

its not that hard, you can buy a crome one brand new for under 100 if im not mistaken, i used to read my dads old V8 mags when i was younger and didnt know better they had them advertsed on every page.

as for taking it off that should be the easy part, just loosen of the ajusting bolt so the belt slackens off then unbolt the bracket. take it appart screws whatever. and yep grab yourself a wire wheel frim supercheap, chicken feed or a local hardwear store. stick it in your drill and give it to it and fizzel all the crap off of the casing. you should be able to get in the little groves. after you have got the main of it off, grab some fine grit wet and dry and give it a going over with that.

dont be lazy and rush the job or you will ruin the engine bay and will probaly have to turn around and do it again. it will take a while so alow at leat an after noon and maybe part way into the night because you kinda cant do very far without it.

[LeeRoy]

How big are the polishing things from bunnings?

As for buying pre-chromed alternator housings sure you'd be able to buy them for a 308 or something hod-rod but i doubt they make them for what this guy has.

- LeeRoy

[TopSecret]

mate dont be a pussy just go for it!

its not that hard, you can buy a crome one brand new for under 100 if im not mistaken, i used to read my dads old V8 mags when i was younger and didnt know better they had them advertsed on every page.

as for taking it off that should be the easy part, just loosen of the ajusting bolt so the belt slackens off then unbolt the bracket. take it appart screws whatever. and yep grab yourself a wire wheel frim supercheap, chicken feed or a local hardwear store. stick it in your drill and give it to it and fizzel all the crap off of the casing. you should be able to get in the little groves. after you have got the main of it off, grab some fine grit wet and dry and give it a going over with that.

dont be lazy and rush the job or you will ruin the engine bay and will probaly have to turn around and do it again. it will take a while so alow at leat an after noon and maybe part way into the night because you kinda cant do very far without it.

Im with him, do it once, do it right, it'll look great and you will probbably never have to do it again.