Aluminum Polishing

[slabghost]

tuna » Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:25 pm[/url]":chhfw8qn]
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?

Short answer. No. Closest to easy is take it to a chrome shop and have them rechrome but that won't be easy on the wallet.

 

[brianinpa]

tuna » Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:25 pm[/url]":355kmtv4]
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?

I once saw where a guy used simple aluminum foil and water to bring back the shine to some dull chrome. I know I couldn't get rid of that snail trail under the batter box on the left side muffler but it might be something to look into. There is also a product out that I saw in another post here that Jay Leno was promoting that looked pretty good - a spray chrome application. Not knowing how bad yours is flawed, I don't know if it would work or not.

Here it is:

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1cTpSZ1l8[/video]

 

[Joep]

That is amazing... and the tinting coat looked fantastic... maybe some should go into business to do this...

 

[tuna boy]

Hey thanks,
that is amazing. Need to see if I can find someone in my area that does this process.

 

[KYWinger]

Pretty awesome, Brian. From what I see, if you've got a spray gun, you can do this at home...

 

[joedrum]

yes wonder what it costs

 

[brianinpa]

I'm still looking for someone who has first hand knowledge with it that isn't standing behind a camera.

 

[brianinpa]

It looks like my spare parts are increasing so I won't need to rush the polishing job of the engine covers. arty:

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/4316032304.html

 

[joedrum]

great brian

 

[KYWinger]

It would seem that we like parts which are "free" :yahoo:

 

[brianinpa]

Parts is parts, but free parts is even better!

 

[mcgovern61]

brianinpa » Mon Feb 03, 2014 1:53 pm[/url]":3qo36795]
Parts is parts, but free parts is even better!

Free isn't always free!

My bike was FREE too.........(some $3000 later it is on the road..... :shock: ) :hihihi: :moped:

 

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:08 pm[/url]":25uwznee]

brianinpa » Mon Feb 03, 2014 1:53 pm[/url]":25uwznee]
Parts is parts, but free parts is even better!

Free isn't always free!

My bike was FREE too.........(some $3000 later it is on the road..... :shock: ) :hihihi: :moped:

Well... this one has no title so there is no chance of it ever going on the road as it sits. However, I am not sure about the carbs, the engine, the wheels, etc, etc, etc...

 

[slabghost]

A titled frame can fix that.

 

[brianinpa]

slabghost » Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:24 pm[/url]":1yo0wfi5]
A titled frame can fix that.

I think I may have said this before: you are an enabler! :smilie_happy:

 

[slabghost]

brianinpa » Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:46 pm[/url]":vsp8jxab]

slabghost » Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:24 pm[/url]":vsp8jxab]
A titled frame can fix that.

I think I may have said this before: you are an enabler! :smilie_happy:

:thanks:

 

[brianinpa]

Back to the topic...

Once I have the valve covers polished, what/how is the best way to get the "GL 1100" back ground area painted black again without painting everything black? The only thing I can come up with is the pains-taking task of taping everything up really well, but I wanted to see if anyone else has some input.

 

[slabghost]

Just tape the outline close and dab grease or vaseline with a q tip everywhere you don't want paint. Then put a few coats of paint on and let dry. Unmask and wipe off the painted grease.

 

[KYWinger]

Another option would be to use model paint (the kind that has a brush in the cap) and just repaint the gloss black. When mine need doing, that will be what I try.

 

[brianinpa]

slabghost » Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:06 pm[/url]":2uizi6yk]
Just tape the outline close and dab grease or vaseline with a q tip everywhere you don't want paint. Then put a few coats of paint on and let dry. Unmask and wipe off the painted grease.

I was thinking about that also. Just wasn't sure I wanted to smear grease all over a freshly poliched cover. I don't have the nevers of steel to hand paint it like John suggests, so this might have to be it.