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 To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/