Polished the Cobra today.

[turbo69bird]

Originally Posted by TimG

Thank you, I'll try any method to keep it polished. It's best to keep it covered after polishing. The polished aluminum Kirkhams hold their shine for a long time. The brushed aluminum versions are the easiest to maintain.

Here's another amazing video of repairing a damaged quarter panel on a Kirkham Cobra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moYO-WWhaQ&t=32s

I learned these techniques he’s using from a guy when I was a young kid. I really enjoy doing this kind of work and take dents out of airplanes before I wrap them. Of course on airplanes I have to use hit glue pull techniques - Watching this is actually enjoyable to me. .
My wife says IDK how you can watch that stuff, When I was watching it . IDK maybe there’s something wrong w me but I enjoy stuff like that so much. Thanks for posting it

I’m surprised he didn’t re anneal it after he took the bulk of it out which I would think would have work hardened it a bit . Guys so lucky what a job to have.


Polished aluminum airplanes lose their shine fairly quick, the P51 that crashed at the air races had been polished every year they actually had to have it painted because they couldn’t find volunteers to polish it anymore. Chrome wrap would have been a good choice in that circumstance also. Airplanes have a lot of panel breaks in them so they lend themselves to wrap every well.