I'm restoring a 99 FLSTC and have cleaned up the pitted surface and would like to know how others have sealed the raw aluminum to protect the appearance. Do I use wax, lacquer or urethane clear coat? What did Harley use in 99? What might be better?
Also, the forks are out to replace head bearings but I'd rather not break down the tubes and lowers
Thank you for the advice.

 

Just remove whatever is left and polish them to the desired level shine. Whatever you put on there will peel, yellow, crack, and age. repolishing them once a year will keep them looking good.

 

I agree ... a little polish once in a while and they'll look good forever

 

Yea what QC said, HD uses a two part clear, trouble is when you polish the aluminum the the clear does not stick.
I tried several different paint, including automotive grade clear and ended up just keeping it polished.

 

Thanks, then I guess I'm done.

 

we can always clear them after polish with powder. would have them keep the shine that way with out haveing to worry about constant upkeep

 

Humm, never thought of that, how does that look, how much for a set of Fatboy lowers?

 

if you send them in polished, where we just have to prep them, mask and then coat it would be around $40 each lower... we coat and polish parts all the time, comes out awesome!













on my trucks winter wheels we polished the lips, laid the black, then cleared the whole wheel... these suckers have seen 2 chicago winters and still look like the day we pulled them from the oven

 

Joe, that would be worth it, sure you know the lowers are far from 6061, and do not keep a polish very well especially if you ride in the rain very much. That is something to think about, Thanks.

 

So how do you get the old clear coat off, is there a easy/better way that won't scratch them up?