[DML] "Here's what I did." - Stainless Steel Regraining

["captain_hydrogen" <captainhydrogen@xxxxxxx>]

First, I would like to apologize for not posting this a few months 
ago, after the de-paneling event at my house. I have been so busy 
that I haven't done much of anything DeLorean wise. My write-up was 
going to be much more eloquent, but time to write is rare. So here is 
the stripped-down cliff notes version of what I had originally 
planned to write. Please consider this my technical write-up for 
those who may be interested.

"Here's what I did." - Stainless Steel Regraining, by Ben Ferguson 
(Captain Hydrogen), Arizona DeLorean Club (www.az-d.org).

1.	Learned how to regrain stainless steel under the direct 
guidance of Don Steger (www.deloreanmotorcenter.com) (about eight 
hours spread across two sessions).

2.	Got further regraining tool and technique information from 
Rob Grady (www.pjgrady.com), Stephen Wynne (www.delorean.com), and 
Chris Nicholson 
(www.deloreans.co.uk/gallery/memberspages/cnicholson/cnicholson.html 
and www.pjgrady.co.uk). Found that other types of wheels including 
the Sand-O-Flex, are "crap" when it comes to regraining the 
DeLorean's stainless steel and also to use Aluminum Oxide abrasive to 
prevent any corrosion from the abrasive material. Found that the 
optimum range for regraining is 800 - 1000 RPM, any faster will 
polish the stainless, any slower and you will grow old and die before 
you finish regraining your car.

3.	Researched original air tool used for regraining (ARO Corp. 
(an Ingersoll Rand division), Model Number: 8067-E1S, which is a 
Model: 8067-E1 that has been regeared from 4500 to 1000 RPM) and 
found that it is still available for about $950 and requires a high 
capacity air compressor to run at a consistent 1000 rpm for long 
periods of time.

4.	Spent about 30 - 45 minutes with a high-speed internet 
connection and found Grinding & Polishing Machinery Co. 
(www.gandpmachinery.com), the original manufacturer of the Vonnegut 
Wheel and found that the product is now called "Wolf Head Wheel", but 
still based on the original design patent (2,194,577 March 1940 
Vonnegut).

5.	Telephoned Grinding & Polishing Machinery Co., 2801 Tobey 
Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46219, Phone: 317-898-0750 Fax: 317-899-
1627, and asked questions and placed order with Larry Hardin 
(President).

6.	Ordered a 2" wide, 12 brush, Wolf Head Wheel with a 3/8" 
mandrel (about $155). I know the one that the original ones that a 
few lucky DeLorean owners and shops have use a 1/2" mandrel, but at 
the time of my order, I wasn't sure if the air or electric tool that 
I would end up using would have a 1/2" chuck or not, so I got a 3/8" 
mandrel to be more versatile. I also ordered two sets of 2" wide 1/8" 
cut Aluminum Oxide abrasive strip loads for the Wolf Head Wheel 
(about $12 each) because right when you run out of the first load is 
when you will need a second load. Total order was for the Vonnegut / 
Wolf Head Wheel and two loads of abrasive strips, about $179 + 
shipping.

7.	Decided to use an electric drill rather than an air tool, 
mainly because I don't have an air compressor and for the fact that 
electricity is much more widely available than compressed air if I 
were to regrain in any location. Also, a corded electric drill 
doesn't slow down if you run it for an hour at a time like a high CFM 
air tool does. I bought a RIDGID R7100 1/2 Inch Drill ($125 at Home 
Depot) (www.ridgid.com/Tools/R7100-Half-Inch-Drill). It has several 
features that I like: such as two speed ranges High 0-3,000 RPM / Low 
Speed 0-1,000 RPM (1,000 RPM is exactly what you want when regraining 
your DeLorean), Lock-on Button for continuous drilling so your 
fingers don't get tired pulling the trigger, the front handle that I 
swivel to the opposite side of the drill when regraining is very nice 
for support when regraining, and the 3,000 RPM setting is great with 
the smaller 3" diameter x 1.5" wide 60 - 80 grit flap wheels for 
getting rid of die grinder swirls from bad body filler repairs, deep 
gouges, and paint/primer removal before regraining. Also, this 
electric drill is noticeably lighter than the original air tool.

8.	Additional items to get: a small or large diameter flap wheel 
(3" - 6" diameter x 1.5" wide 60 - 80 grit about $5 at Home Depot 
example: www.abrasiveproducts.net/Kasco/flap1.htm), 3M Scotch-Brite 
7446 Blending Hand Pad (Buyer's Part Number: 7446, 3M Id: 61-5001-
2322-1), 3M Scotch-Brite Microfiber Cloth, and Stainless Steel Polish 
(your preference).

9.	The rest of stainless steel regraining is knowledge and 
technique. Anyone can learn to do this, but there is only one Chris 
Nicholson.

I hope the above information helps a lot of DeLorean owners.

When visiting Arizona, contact the AZ-D for an impromptu event.

Good Luck,
Ben Ferguson (Captain Hydrogen)
Arizona DeLorean Club (www.az-d.org), Car Cruise Director - VIN 
10365, CAPT H2
American Hydrogen Association (www.clean-air.org) - Board of 
Directors, 1996 - present







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