Aluminum Polishing

[brianinpa]

I have been kicking this idea for a while and wasn't sure which way I was going to go, but recent events on eBay have made my decision for me. If I am adding a few pieces of bling to the old girl, I guess it is time to make it shine some more. So with that in mind, I went searching and came to realize that there isn't very much information here dedicated to the subject, so lets start some.

What works best to remove the clear coat?

What works best as far as power tools are concerned?

What is the best polishing compound?

Etc, etc, etc...

 

[slabghost]

I've read where oven cleaner was used to successfully remove the clear coat. Others prefer paint stripper. Still others prefer to sand it off. For power tools a bench grinder with large buffing wheels is great. Rouge is what I prefer to use with buffing wheels either mounted on the bench grinder or drill or the tiny ones on a dremel. Rouge comes in 3 colors I know of black, white, and red. the colors indicate strength or "grit". If there are any dark spots in the aluminum you'll need to sand them and the area if you want that section polished. Use at least 600 grit wet. Once a shine is obtained it can be enhanced and protected using NevRdull , Flitz, Semichrome, Mothers, Meguiars, or any polish you choose.

 

[mcgovern61]

This spring, I intend to disassemble my whole bike so that I can check the frame for bad spots. I know I have to remove and replace the center stand since it is already broken and I have welded the top of the side stand, but need to get under all of the frame to check it.

With the bike apart, I intend to polish up the forks. I am going to try the oven cleaner route to remove the clear coat and use Flitz to polish.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KWxjShHl4E[/video]

 

[brianinpa]

On the oven cleaner subject...

I have read wear it is harmful and can actually cause more corrosion, so who has used it with first hand knowledge? I think John was talking about this at joe's place, but I am not sure any more... :beer:

 

[mcgovern61]

I have read it in several places, but do not have first hand experience with the result. I have also read that using airplane paint stripper is best for removing clear coat. Why airplane paint stripper verses any other stripper I don't know other than maybe the aluminium?

 

[slabghost]

Anything that will remove that tough clearcoat almost has to be harmful. I've bought the oven cleaner to try it 3 times now but still haven't. It's a lot cheaper than aircraft paint stripper and not nearly as much work as acetone and steel wool.
Aircraft paint stripper was made to remove some of the first epoxy paints and is some real aggressive stuff.

 

[KYWinger]

1) Oven cleaner to get Mother Honda's clear coat off. Worked best for me. IIRC, I had to go thru 2 evolutions to get all the clear off.
2) Buffer and rouge to polish. I used black/grey to get close, then (on another wheel) white to finish.
3) Flitz to maintain. I was skeptical of this stuff (expensive), but bought some at Wing Ding 35 - works GREAT! I really like the way it brings the shine back.

Go for it, Brian! :music:

 

[mcgovern61]

John,

Is this a pic of how the forks turned out? (You know how it is.......no pics, it didn't happen! :hihihi: )

 

[brianinpa]

KYWinger » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:33 am[/url]":17q4944l]
1) Oven cleaner to get Mother Honda's clear coat off. Worked best for me. IIRC, I had to go thru 2 evolutions to get all the clear off.
2) Buffer and rouge to polish. I used black/grey to get close, then (on another wheel) white to finish.
3) Flitz to maintain. I was skeptical of this stuff (expensive), but bought some at Wing Ding 35 - works GREAT! I really like the way it brings the shine back.

Go for it, Brian! :music:

Explain the oven cleaner process... spray and wipe, spray and scrub, spray and sand, or what? :beg:

 

[KYWinger]

Hey! That looks like my bike! LOL Yes, they are shinier now, though. ....but that is what some time on the buffer does.
Flitz brings them right back to nice and shiny (Once you've got them polished the first time)

 

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:46 am[/url]":1nfa9i94]
John,

Is this a pic of how the forks turned out? (You know how it is.......no pics, it didn't happen! :hihihi: )

Here is the picture I use to gauge which forks were done and which ones weren't...

IMG 20130804 111449 812

• brianinpa
• Aug 11, 2013

All the Classics that were there on the last day

:shock:

 

[mcgovern61]

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":1pkq9ly9]
Here is the picture I use to gauge which forks were done and which ones weren't...

IMG 20130804 111449 812

• brianinpa
• Aug 11, 2013

All the Classics that were there on the last day

:shock:

Mean.......that was just mean Brian........... :smilie_happy:

 

[KYWinger]

Either I'm getting old (most likely) or the server is slow (least likely).....thought I replied...

1) Strong over cleaner on all parts and let it soak for 20-30 min.
2) Use a greenie to scrub with water as you rinse.
3) Rinse and Repeat till all of Mother Honda's clear is gone. It is really easy to see what remains, once you start the process.
4) No sandpaper was harmed during this process, but you could use 400 or 600 wet/dry to speed things up...
5)Then spend some quality time with your buffer. I bought an inexpensive H/F one that worked out great.

 

[KYWinger]

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:53 am[/url]":2o6bz6vm]
I guess it is time to make it shine some more.

Brian; the easy parts to do are:

fork lowers
valve covers
belt covers
carb runners
carb tops
oil filter cover
fuel pump

:rocks:

 

[slabghost]

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":3us9n31d]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:46 am[/url]":3us9n31d]
John,

Is this a pic of how the forks turned out? (You know how it is.......no pics, it didn't happen! :hihihi: )

Here is the picture I use to gauge which forks were done and which ones weren't...

IMG 20130804 111449 812

• brianinpa
• Aug 11, 2013

All the Classics that were there on the last day

:shock:

Might not be shiny but that's my baby in the foreground. :thanks:

 

[brianinpa]

slabghost » Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:28 am[/url]":9voif6ij]

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":9voif6ij]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:46 am[/url]":9voif6ij]
John,

Is this a pic of how the forks turned out? (You know how it is.......no pics, it didn't happen! :hihihi: )

Here is the picture I use to gauge which forks were done and which ones weren't...

IMG 20130804 111449 812

• brianinpa
• Aug 11, 2013

All the Classics that were there on the last day

:shock:

Might not be shiny but that's my baby in the foreground. :thanks:

Trying to help a brother out!

 

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:04 am[/url]":1c030q4i]

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":1c030q4i]
Here is the picture I use to gauge which forks were done and which ones weren't...

IMG 20130804 111449 812

• brianinpa
• Aug 11, 2013

All the Classics that were there on the last day

:shock:

Mean.......that was just mean Brian........... :smilie_happy:

Hey, in case you didn't notice, mine are just as bad, if not worse than yours!

brianinpa » Tue Jan 28, 2014 4:53 am[/url]":1c030q4i]
I guess it is time to make it shine some more.

Brian; the easy parts to do are:

fork lowers
valve covers
belt covers
carb runners
carb tops
oil filter cover
fuel pump

:rocks:

I got me some chrome coming that will take care of the carb runners. Should make those a lot easier!

Just wondering John, which buffer do you have - the 6" or the 8"?

 

[Ansimp]

Nice looking finished product :good:

 

[KYWinger]

Just wondering John, which buffer do you have - the 6" or the 8"?

6" - it is fine for polishing and extra wheels are fairly inexpensive.
The stand is cheap as well.....

 

[tuna boy]

Good feedback but I have belt covers, forks and intake manifolds that were chromed 30 years ago and have a few Pitts and flaws. Any easy DIY ways to remove the once flawless chrome so I can polish?