polishing aluminum - is there a OEM clear coat?

[Andrew Vanis]

I was drooling over some of the high gloss aluminum pics on here ans since I have my stator cover off I was thinking of polishing it.

Do the OEM alum have a clear coat? am I asking for more future maintenance if I shiny polish?

 

[trevor]

I was drooling over some of the high gloss aluminum pics on here ans since I have my stator cover off I was thinking of polishing it.

Do the OEM alum have a clear coat? am I asking for more future maintenance if I shiny polish?

I have had all mine polished but never clear coat. It's my opinion you are just asking for more trouble with the clear coat. Once they are polished they are super easy to maintain. Cheers

 

[Andrew Vanis]

thanks

RE: clearcoat - the Q is...is the OEM clear coated or is it plain alum?

I ask since the outside carb bowls were clearcoated and it seems that the engine is coated as well.

 

[chuck hahn]

Factoy used clear

 

[Cipher]

Yes they uses a think clear coat some of which yellowed with age and heat.
Suzuki iirc used a portion of lead in their castings and this among other reasons is why they tarnish so readily.
Most clearcot seems to bubble up and peel due to a chemical reaction beneth it.

So if you recoat your just going ot have to strip and polish again Next time woth possibly pitted parts as I have never seen a clear that comes close to that hard stuff the OEMs used.

 

[Nessism]

I used Por 15 Glisten PC clear on some polished aluminum parts and they held up decently. No corrosion after 5 years or so and running. Clear powder coat would be a good option too.

 

[Guest]

Andrew... Just thought I'd share some very recent experience with highly-polished aluminum engine covers. I bought a set of polished engine covers for a Honda (can I say that word on this website?) last year on Ebay. They were gorgeous for the first few months. I live in Michigan, so I parked the bike in my carport in October for the winter. It never got rained on, but it did get pretty damp several times just from the moisture in the air. Because of all the salt they use on the roads around here in the winter, a lot of salt "dust" is generated and settles on everything - including my gorgeous engine covers. Two days ago, I brought the bike out into the sunlight and saw to my horror that all of the covers were now covered with salt, and corroded again.

I now have an '81 Suzuki GS850G that I am bringing back to life, and contemplating whether I should polish those covers. If I do, I will either find a good "hi-temp" clear for them, or just figure on wiping them down at the end of the riding season with a rag soaked in a light oil to protect them. Then next year, I will hopefully just have to do a quick clean up of the oil and touch-up with Mother's Aluminum polish, and be ready for riding again.

 

[Guest]

I used Por 15 Glisten PC clear on some polished aluminum parts and they held up decently. No corrosion after 5 years or so and running. Clear powder coat would be a good option too.

Am I correct in thinking that clear powder coat doesn't cure crystal clear? I think I remember seeing a few things that had been coated that way, and there was a slight "milkiness" to them, and the surface wasn't perfectly smooth. What has been your experience with clear powder coating?

 

[Nessism]

Even if it's not crystal clear it will still look pretty good. There are tons of aluminum parts that are painted. Automotive wheels for example.

 

[Andrew Vanis]

Andrew... Just thought I'd share some very recent experience with highly-polished aluminum engine covers......

Thanks. that has me deciding to leave it as-is and when(if) I have time to dedicate to such upkeep I'll polish then.

Thanks guys.

 

[Guest]

some here like a product called wizard's power seal....

 

[850 Combat]

I've been thinking about some pearl powder coat. I had a bicycle years ago that had that on the rims and stem, and I really liked it. Probably won't get around to it, because I don't want to remove the parts for too long.

 

[Sandman900ss]

I do powder coating myself, and recently refinished my '81 GS650 covers. I shoot Columbia Coatings gloss clear, never a corrosion issue long term because my preparation is extensive. I did not over polish the covers as I don't care for the "blingy" look- satin brushed finish is more subtle and under stated.

 

[Sandman900ss]

Much more tough and durable than the factory sprayed lacquer finish.

 

[BigD_83]

Dang. Those look great, Sandman. I wish I didn't live in the land of envirofreaks, where PC costs the same as my kid's first semester in college.

 

[eil]

Does mag/aluminum polish do any kind of decent job at protecting bare aluminum?

 

[Sandman900ss]

Dang. Those look great, Sandman. I wish I didn't live in the land of envirofreaks, where PC costs the same as my kid's first semester in college.

Thank you, sir. I do lots of similar sets for other people, too bad the shipping costs back and forth between us would be prohibitive. Here's a Suzuki GT250 two stroke set (and lower fork legs) I refinished. I have fork legs I restored with final clear powder coat 8 years ago, that still look exactly the same. You do have to make sure your fuel system is leak free, as powder coat will be "clouded" or discolored by prolonged exposure to fuel.

eil: bare aluminum with polish can last a while and will keep looking good depending on storage conditions and how well you keep up with it, but tight areas you can't get to will be an issue long term.

 

[bobgroger]

Does mag/aluminum polish do any kind of decent job at protecting bare aluminum?

SVSooke has a clandestine powder coat business, maybe he can help....

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

I do powder coating myself, and recently refinished my '81 GS650 covers. I shoot Columbia Coatings gloss clear, never a corrosion issue long term because my preparation is extensive. I did not over polish the covers as I don't care for the "blingy" look- satin brushed finish is more subtle and under stated.
View attachment 49949

Wow very nice, I love the satin finish too.

Did you replace the emblems or are they original, reason I ask is I need some for my 1981 GS650 E and want to know if that is what Suzuki is still selling.

 

[Gorminrider]

I like the idea of something renewable. The Wizards Power Seal is something I'd try but it isn't available in Canada. Anything else as good?

Powdercoating looks great! so do other coverings recommended in earlier threads but I'm afraid either will get chips out of it and then I'm back where I started with the original compromised coating...The forks seem to get the most punishment. (but It's all 80-130 kph highway speeds to go anywhere here)
probably what demonstrably does work without a coating is to wash the bike thoroughly after every use (like Trevor does). I put on a barrier oil too (Fluid film) but I am not so diligent as Trevor. excuses: water hose is shut off in winter so it's hard to get a real good wash, doesn't dry quickly so no barrier reapplied etc etc.)