Axle Polishing Technique

[Empty Pockets Racing]

I've looked and looked for information or a video clip somewhere in the wheel and axle section on the correct method of polishing axles but I seem to be striking out. I'm sure everyone has their own particular way, but I'm just looking for a little more direction than the way I am currently doing it. I had no idea that sandpaper even went up to 100,000 grit. Here's what I've been doing. Try not to laugh. Ok, first I take the nail/axle and put it in my cordless drill. I begin with a small file and hold it along the head to get out the mold marks and burrs as its spinning. Then I take a 1/4 inch strip of 400 grit sandpaper, about 3 inches long and wrap it around the axle and let it run for about 30-45 seconds. Then I unwrap it and hold each end like a shoe shine boy and go back and forth for about another 30 seconds. I repeat the same process with 800 grit. Then to finish up I put some automotive polishing compound on a soft rag and pinch the axle with it as it spins, wait a few minutes and spin it again with the dry side to get the polishing compound off. Voila' !

(I hope you can still read the rest of this post through the tears in your eyes from laughing so hard.)

After reading all the various posts about this polish and that polish and 100,000 grit sandpaper, etc., etc., etc. I realize that my process is obviously very primitive, but I still don't know what the correct way is. Should I even be placing the axle in a cordless drill? Any tips or advice on a better procedure would be appreciated.
Oh, one more thing........bore polishing??? I suppose turtle wax and a pipe cleaner isn't the best way to do that one either is it. I'll save that discussion for another time.

[Bones]

What I do is get 400,600,800,1000,1200,1500,2000,and 2500 grit wet/dry sand paper from the auto supply store. Cut strips 1/4" X 3" or so. The cordless drill is fine, if you have a vise you can clamp the drill in it and tape the trigger on all the way. File the crimp marks carefully and bevel the axle head. You don't want to take away to much material from the axle, only enough to remove the crimp marks. Soak the 1/4" strips in water for a few minutes and sand with them wet. Use the 400 for about 20 sec. and check the axle to see how it looks, make sure all the deep scratches are gone. Then I do about 20 sec. for each grade of paper. In between each grit wipe the axle clean so the previous grit is not present. After all that I use Mothers Alum. wheel and mag polish for 20 - 30 sec on each axle. Clean with acetone on a clean cotton cloth. I am now using diamond paste on them as well with good results.
As for the wheel bores I use Maguires plastic polish from the auto store with either pipe cleaners or Q-tip shafts. Some people use Novus #2 or the polish from Max-v. Chuck the wheel in drill and use low rpm's. Insert the pipe cleaner/q-tip shaft slow and work it back and forth slow. Then pull it out quickly. Again you don't want to remove to much material. Clean the wheel with soap and water or denatured alcohol, and then work graphite into the bore with a pipe cleaner. Skip the graphite if you are using oil.
This is what I do. I hope this helps. Good Luck, Rick

[ACME Racing]

I would look into buying some speed axles that come without the crimp marks. Then polish. Go to www.MB4hire.com
Look at the axle polishing kit he sells. It's only $15. There is instructions in the bag.

[Shade Racing]

I use MB's grooved axles their $15.00 he has some other axles cheaper I also use his axle polishing kit then finish up with some 100,000 grit diamond paste & clean them with denatured alcohol as far as wheel bores I use micro gloose thin micro-finish with fluffy pipe cleaners

[Empty Pockets Racing]

Thanks for the advice Bones, Acme, and Shade. Looks like I was on the right track I just wasn't taking it quite as far as I should.
I saw that polishing kit on MB. I'll have to check it out. I appreciate the help fellas.