I polished all my cases and now they look like crap!

[Anonymous]

salt

Sounds like salt vapour. By any chance is you garage close to the road or driveway where they've used salt.
I work for theNS Dept of Trans, quite often in the winter when they bring a truck full of salt into the warm shop on a Friday afternoon, come Moday morning there's these soft fluffy looking growths all over it.
Kind of nice looking actually as I don't own the truck....Mike

[AOD]

You guys crack me up.

Dom, take a picture of your corrosion issue and show us. We'll all learn a bit...

[Anonymous]

What kind of clear coat are you guys talking about? Standard paint clear coat.

[Nerobro]

clear paint is great. A step better is clear annodization. But that depends on the alloy of aluminum as to weather that is a really feasable idea.

[shortlid]

Polish

What polish works best on the cast wheels on my '80 GS850G?? It sat outside for two years and they are white and crusty. Should I use metal polish with Dremal tool?? Can I use car wax over teh polished areas to keep it nice? :roll:

[Joe Nardy]

Re: Polish

What polish works best on the cast wheels on my '80 GS850G?? It sat outside for two years and they are white and crusty. Should I use metal polish with Dremal tool?? Can I use car wax over teh polished areas to keep it nice? :roll:

I have had good luck with Blue Magic and Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. Both claim to leave a protective film on the aluminum.

Joe

[shortlid]

$$$

Cool, I already have some Blue Magic. How did you apply it to heavy corrosion?

[Joe Nardy]

Re: $$$

Cool, I already have some Blue Magic. How did you apply it to heavy corrosion?

You'll want to remove corrosion with steel wool or fine sandpaper. If the corrosion is bad you won't be able to get it all off but the polish will still make it look better.

[QuaiChangKane]

WD40.


When the humidity goes up, or if it's going to be sitting for awhile - a light misting of WD40 on all bare metal, chrome, rubber, plastic, etc. - ANYTHING that could oxidize - spray it down.

Don't just slather it all over your bike (messy), but spend a little time and coat the parts that matter. When you're ready to de-mothball the bike, simply wash as normal (soap and water), dry, and ride.


You should wax your paint before parking your bike for an extended time, too. Another alternative for your bare metal is waxing, but not buffing off the wax. Just apply and let it sit - wash the residue off with soap and water before you ride again.

And fix your damp shed!!!


-Q!

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on chrome plating the stator & clutch covers?

[Dink]

Any thoughts on chrome plating the stator & clutch covers?

Chroming is possible , but has longevity issues on aluminium.
Dink

[earlfor]

Probably a better choice is to polish them to a chrome appearance and then clearcoat them with a multiple component automotive clearcoat.

Earl

Any thoughts on chrome plating the stator & clutch covers?

[Desolation Angel]

Can all this polishing be done ON the bike, as well as the clearcoating, or do you have to pull the engine to really do it right?

[shortlid]

Blue Magic

Cool, I already have some Blue Magic. How did you apply it to heavy corrosion?

You'll want to remove corrosion with steel wool or fine sandpaper. If the corrosion is bad you won't be able to get it all off but the polish will still make it look better.

You are right Joe, Blue magic works great on Chrome pipes and suck that is in OK shape already,but does notthing for the engine cases and parts that are already corroded bad. Did not chage the wheels at all!! Do I need fine steel wool for the wheels and cam covers??

[Can_O_Tuna]

Here is a great "how to" on polishing

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

I just bought 3 cotton wheels and buffing sticks for $10 @ Sears.