Lapping compound

BobBonahoom · Jul 24, 2015

OK old timers, help me remember the brand and grit number for the compound we used to use to lap in pistons.

I thought it was the Helical Lap Company, but when I called them, they had no idea if any of their products are non-embedding.

I found this on the web for use with guns: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/abrasives/lapping-compounds/garnet-lapping-compounds-prod25658.aspx

It comes in 600, 800, or 1000 grit. I assume 1000 is best.

Any thoughts?

Terry Keeley · Jul 24, 2015

I use Helical AlOx 600 grit and scrub thoroughly afterwards, no problems.

Chris Wood · Jul 24, 2015

where do you buy it at terry

steve wood · Jul 24, 2015

McMaster Carr has some.made for aluminum,yellow can

Terry Keeley · Jul 24, 2015

Got it right from Helical years ago with some laps.

http://www.helicallap.com/abrasives/

BobBonahoom · Jul 24, 2015

I have a can of AlOx 600 but was afraid to use it. Thanks Terry.

BobBonahoom · Jul 24, 2015

The guy at Helical Lap did tell me that he thought AlOx compounds would embed in alluminum, but he thought garnet would not embed. (He was not sure though). I see that the stuff Steve uses from McMaster Carr is garnet and it says it is non embedding.

Norm Doerr · Jul 24, 2015

Post DELETED

DJT · Jul 24, 2015

Just a suggestion, try googling " jb bore bright" and "jb bore compound" both are non-imbedding.

El Zorro · Jul 24, 2015

A guy that I flew controline airplanes with ( B. B. Brown ) gave me some aluminum oxide compound to lap pistons in cylinders with. You mix it with some air tool oil and lap away. It is for polishing rocks. I don't know what grit it is, but it looks a lot like Tide detergent for washing clothes. Makes a nice paste when mixed with a bit of oil. Works for me.............

Dick Tyndall

David Bryant · Jul 24, 2015

anyone can recommend a lapping compound brand/part No. for fitting intake (steel) drum to (bronze) housing bearing?

dwilfong · Jul 24, 2015

I use the Brownells work great.

Just takes some time if you have to do a lot to fit it.

David Bryant · Jul 24, 2015

dwilfong said:
I use the Brownells work great.

Just takes some time if you have to do a lot to fit it.

thanks........

like this here (600 & 800 grit)?

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/abrasives/lapping-compounds/lapping-compounds-prod1137.aspx

stan simpson iv · Jul 25, 2015

Dad use to play with Clover lapping compound,I do not know if it will stick in the pores of the piston. He also used it for the drum rotor's on the Rossi's we ran back in the day. If I had to guess it did not stick,he would not let that happen to his motor's.

dwilfong · Jul 25, 2015

It depends on how much you want to take off what you use.

If it is a stock P/L set the 1000 should be all you need as you are just truing it up a little.

Now if it is a custom billet piston and it stops before the ex port. Get the 600 or even 400 to start with.

If it is a 20 or 30 percent Si piston get ready to spend some time.

Also get some crocus cloth to polish it up after you lap it to take the haze off to check the fit.

It should slide really smooth and easy and just stop.

Some times you just need to polish it with the cloth first to see where you are at.

A buddy of mine was a Xerox service tec and he gave me some cloth that was used to polish the bearing shafts in the units.

It is the bomb to polish the pistons with. not sure who makes it.

It is like a baby wipe with some kind of grit on it. Do a search and see what you can find. the final finish makes all the difference in how it breaks in.

I can't copy and past on this sight for some reason.

Use the Garnet lapping compound.

Mart Davis turned me on to this......

KenOlvis · Jul 25, 2015

I have used tooth paste as lapping compound an polishing compound

Patrick Mulvany · Jul 25, 2015

I still use the Clover Compound my Dad bought twenty years ago!! A pint size can will last a life time.. Never had any imbedding issues and it cleans up with a swipe of a rag but proper cleaning is always recommended..

Later!!

Pat

Anders_Martinelle · Jul 25, 2015

I agree, toothpast work`s good and everyone has it at home

..

El Zorro · Jul 25, 2015

Ultrabrite toothpaste was the stuff to get. It was really gritty and actually worked. Not sure if it is still available..............

Dick Tyndall

KenOlvis · Jul 25, 2015

El Zorro said:
Ultrabrite toothpaste was the stuff to get. It was really gritty and actually worked. Not sure if it is still available..............

Dick Tyndall

Yes its still availble its what I also use on my props

Lapping compound

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