Bare aluminum

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  • red1100
    Forum Mentor
    • Oct 2017
    • 570
    • La Center Washington

    #1

    Bare aluminum

    Anyone know how to clean up oxidized side covers without pulling them to be polished? Can?t think of anything else and polishing would be very costly and labor intensive.
  • Guest

    #2
    Originally posted by red1100
    Anyone know how to clean up oxidized side covers without pulling them to be polished? Can?t think of anything else and polishing would be very costly and labor intensive.
    Well when you get into vintage bikes, very costly and labor intensive is part of the game if your not willing to get in there and get dirty. Polishing the covers is not that labor intensive as you would expect. It does take time as you have to work in steps, but the result is well worth the effort and you get to say, "I did that". Look at some YouTube videos, you can get a polishing kit at Harbor Freight that will come with most of what you need for a little cost. While your there if you have a compressor, get a cheap die grinder, it will work quicker than an electric drill.

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    • Spyder
      Forum Sage
      Past Site Supporter
      • Mar 2012
      • 3029
      • NW Indiana

      #3
      If you already have a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, polishing is VERY cheap, and not very hard. Just dirty, and a little time consuming. A 4" cloth polishing wheel fits (with a little muscle) on a 4 1/2" grinder. Polishing compound sticks are cheap. Looking at around $20 from Lowes or Home Depot... I will dig up some pictures...
      '83 GS 1100T
      The Jet


      sigpic
      '95 GSXR 750w
      The Rocket

      I'm sick of all these Irish stereotypes! When I finish my beer, I'm punching someone in the face ! ! !

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      • Spyder
        Forum Sage
        Past Site Supporter
        • Mar 2012
        • 3029
        • NW Indiana

        #4
        Only picture I could find while at work. That's a new badge after polishing.

        de05540c.jpg

        https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Buff...l-Set/50124431

        https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABL...Wheel/50171523
        '83 GS 1100T
        The Jet


        sigpic
        '95 GSXR 750w
        The Rocket

        I'm sick of all these Irish stereotypes! When I finish my beer, I'm punching someone in the face ! ! !

        Comment

        • Nessism
          Forum LongTimer
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          Super Site Supporter
          • Mar 2006
          • 35788
          • Torrance, CA

          #5
          There are about 100 "how to polish" threads here. Condensed version (mine): paint stripper to remove clear coat, DA w/220 grit paper to remove deep corrosion, polishing motor with a sisal wheel and black cutting compound for final polish. I use a paint buffer motor for polishing since it's what I have. Heavy gloves needed because the aluminum gets HOT when hammering away with the sisal. Good fun!
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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          • red1100
            Forum Mentor
            • Oct 2017
            • 570
            • La Center Washington

            #6
            I?ll give Lowe?s a try since I have about $150 in gift cards for them. My 83 GS 1100E has black cases and that?s how they will stay but I do cosmetic rehabs on my flips so polished pieces help brighten up the look.

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            • 850 Combat
              Forum Guru
              Past Site Supporter
              • Sep 2006
              • 6018
              • Spokane, WA, and Hampden, ME

              #7
              I find that in general, alloys used in die-cast engines doesn't keep a polished finish as long or as well as alloys used for sand cast engines. Either takes a good while to clean-up after a long rainy ride. with the engine up to full temperature.
              sigpic Too old, too many bikes, too many cars, too many things

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