# Stripping a Show Girl (Stripping and Polishing a Yoyo) **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [January 19, 2019, 5:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680 "2019-01-19T05:22:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 3:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/41 "2019-09-29T03:14:23Z")
Just my opinion, but if all you want to do is polish a yoyo, you don’t need to strip it. You only need to strip if you want to re-anodize it. Sanding off the surface removes the anodization. Here’s a couple of " how to polish" topics… > [@How To Polish Aluminum](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-polish-aluminum/47632): > > This is an old article that is out of print as far as I can tell. It’s from from the September 2003 issue of Model Airplane News. I’m attaching a pdf file of it because the links I find seem to disappear. I’m also including a link I recently found. Here’s another article as well: [http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1792373](http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1792373) (Note this is also an old article. The text is still there but the pics are gone.) [polish\_1.pdf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/uploads/short-url/ySiYYWjisqJjHPazZklgkAKmv8t.pdf) (952 KB) [polish\_2.pdf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/uploads/short-url/tYOmw4hrV4dNgvDWTI635RMbngY.pdf) (814 KB) Best bet is to download the PDF… > [@How To Strip and Polish a Metal YoYo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/how-to-strip-and-polish-a-metal-yoyo/51228): > > Alright, so I am very bored and thought I would post this guide, for anyone hoping to strip the annodize of of there yoyos, or just fix beat up ones. What you need: Electric Drill(Try to get the fastest spinning one you can) 80-100 Grit Sandpaper 120-150 Grit sandpaper Wet sandpaper will help, it is not normal SP, so check your package 200-250 grit sandpaper 0000 Super Fine Steel Wool 3M Scratch Remover [http://www.amazon.com/3M-39044-Scratch-Remover-oz/dp/B002RNFP3A](http://www.amazon.com/3M-39044-Scratch-Remover-oz/dp/B002RNFP3A) Mothers Mag & Aluminu… Neither requires any chemicals. Just roll up yer sleeves and have at it. ---
**Author:** ![jasonwongzero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jasonwongzero/32/725_2.png) [@jasonwongzero](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jasonwongzero)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 3:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/42 "2019-09-29T03:45:13Z")
Ah yes, jhb is right. You absolutely can skip the chemicals and strip physically with sandpaper first. I personally like to chem strip because I have found it gentler than hitting it with 400 grit sand paper, but you can absolutely go the non chemical route. ---
**Author:** ![ryanmcg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/ryanmcg/32/72186_2.png) [@ryanmcg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ryanmcg)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/43 "2019-09-29T19:17:54Z")
I think he(@Ryanm7277) wants to make the existing matte ano shiny, without stripping it. Some of my blasted yo-yos are getting kinda shiny where my hands wear on them, so couldn’t he just polish the existing ano? ---
**Author:** ![jasonwongzero](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jasonwongzero/32/725_2.png) [@jasonwongzero](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jasonwongzero)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/44 "2019-09-29T19:24:01Z")
Oh if you just want to ‘polish’ up an anodized yoyo without stripping it, here’s what you do: 1. Take it apart. Remove axle and bearing. 2. Wash it with soap and water. Make sure you are careful with the pads/response. 3. Dry yoyo completely, making sure axle hole is dry. 4. Spray a tiny bit of Wd40 on a paper towel and rub down the whole yoyo. 5. Reassemble. The WD40 trick makes the yoyo look extra glossy. I followed the above procedure for everything I anodized. I would refrain from polishing an anodized yoyo with polishing compounds or even over aggressively with rags/cloth. You don’t want to wear away the anodized layer. ---
**Author:** ![nothingfaced](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nothingfaced/32/50156_2.png) [@nothingfaced](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nothingfaced)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2019, 12:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/45 "2019-10-02T12:54:09Z")
If you substitute WD40 for a teflon lubricant such as GT85 you get a longer lasting shine. ---
**Author:** ![ryanmcg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/ryanmcg/32/72186_2.png) [@ryanmcg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ryanmcg)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/46 "2019-10-11T16:21:16Z")
So I’m planning on giving this a try. I was wondering though if it’s feasible to do a finish that would grind well. I’ve seen people sandpaper plastic yo-yos and get an Ok grind finish. Is there a way to get a good(or even just ok) grind finish with an Al yo-yo that looks good and is doable at home without much in the way of special tools? I’ve done some googling and found some pretty… bad looking attempts at it, and some just kinda Ok, but nothing good. Also, I assume none of this—stripping and polishing in general—is doable with bimetals…? ---
**Author:** ![adamantiumpops](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/adamantiumpops/32/198285_2.png) [@adamantiumpops](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/adamantiumpops)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/47 "2019-10-11T17:21:15Z")
I use a little scotchbrite on a LOT of things that I want to satin-up. Guitar necks, my Wanker, my Poppet. Never done it on raw AL though, so I couldn’t speak to its softness. ---
**Author:** ![ryanmcg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/ryanmcg/32/72186_2.png) [@ryanmcg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ryanmcg)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/48 "2019-10-11T17:44:10Z")
What kind of scotchbrite do you use on your Wanker? Does it satin up enough to do grinds with it, or is it just aesthetic? ---
**Author:** ![adamantiumpops](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/adamantiumpops/32/198285_2.png) [@adamantiumpops](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/adamantiumpops)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/49 "2019-10-11T17:48:35Z")
…original? Lol it’s just what was unused under my sink. Nothing special, and definitely the only one they carry at the grocery store. It satinned(?) the Wanker up enough for a quick grind, yes, but that is Ti, so YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![ryanmcg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/ryanmcg/32/72186_2.png) [@ryanmcg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ryanmcg)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/50 "2019-10-11T17:57:24Z")
There’s all kinds. There’s the synthetic ones which come in several colors, green being the most common one, but they also make stainless steel and copper scrubbers kinda like steel wool. ---
**Author:** ![adamantiumpops](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/adamantiumpops/32/198285_2.png) [@adamantiumpops](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/adamantiumpops)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/51 "2019-10-11T17:58:11Z")
Mine is… green. Sorry I’m no help at all. ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 3:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/52 "2019-10-12T03:17:57Z")
> [@ryanmcg](#): > > I’ve seen people sandpaper plastic yo-yos and get an Ok grind finish. Is there a way to get a good(or even just ok) grind finish with an Al yo-yo that looks good and is doable at home without much in the way of special tools? Same concept and method for aluminum as plastic. use a 150-200 grit wet/dry paper, but use it dry. Just a light pressure is all that’s required. ---
**Author:** ![Nemyo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nemyo/32/14407_2.png) [@Nemyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nemyo)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/53 "2019-10-12T03:24:28Z")
Man I come back to the forums and I see “stripping a showgirl” Never change, forums. ---
**Author:** ![KayEsPea](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kayespea/32/126944_2.png) [@KayEsPea](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/KayEsPea)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/54 "2021-07-10T05:10:47Z")
Wow. This looks amazing. ---
**Author:** ![KayEsPea](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kayespea/32/126944_2.png) [@KayEsPea](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/KayEsPea)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/55 "2021-07-13T03:23:34Z")
![IMG_20210712_221706379](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/f/a/cfa4f5ae1d127407c3d8cf1a6a527e029157f53f.jpeg) Here’s my attempt for a mirror finish. My Boa ---
**Author:** ![Exmime](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/exmime/32/40143_2.png) [@Exmime](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Exmime)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/56 "2021-07-13T04:25:50Z")
@ReticNeil might want to see your work. Looking good :+1: ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 5:07am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/57 "2021-07-13T05:07:52Z")
> [@KayEsPea](#): > > Here’s my attempt for a mirror finish. My Boa Looks good. ---
**Author:** ![KayEsPea](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/kayespea/32/126944_2.png) [@KayEsPea](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/KayEsPea)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/58 "2021-07-13T15:44:33Z")
Thanks. When I saw that showpony, it blew my mind. That thing sooooooooo pretty. ---
**Author:** ![aderan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aderan/32/628562_2.png) [@aderan](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/aderan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 3:21am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/59 "2025-04-30T03:21:07Z")
bless this thread, got to breathe some new life onto some beaters ![IMG_7983](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/a/7/3/a736012cbb995f762a10391db60607a5e4a4aef5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![yoyospirit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyospirit/32/219875_2.png) [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 1:51am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680/60 "2025-05-01T01:51:13Z")
Cool to see people are still using this guide and polishing their yoyos! I hope I never have to polish another yoyo lol [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/stripping-a-show-girl-stripping-and-polishing-a-yoyo/297680.md?page=2)