Polishing
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Eastern PA
Polishing
Does anyone know what material the top of the head is? I'm referring to the shiny chrome part above the black fins of the cylinder. It's starting to need a little polishing to remove the tiny little dots but I'm not sure if it is highly polished aluminum or some type of alloy steel that is chrome plated. They are slightly magnetic, and it's possible that I'm feeling the bolts and valves, but even away from the hardware the magnet will stick to the head. However the pull is not nearly as much as the steel engine guards and exhaust pipes.
I have aluminum polish that says not recommended for chrome, and chrome polish that says not recommended for aluminum.
Are the heads of the water cooled 103 engine a special alloy? What polish would work the best, chrome or aluminum?
I have aluminum polish that says not recommended for chrome, and chrome polish that says not recommended for aluminum.
Are the heads of the water cooled 103 engine a special alloy? What polish would work the best, chrome or aluminum?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
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From: Raleigh, NC
Polishing
Judging from the amounts we pay for these things, they're made from organically grown free-range baby seal skulls, harvested with compassion and a college education for their survivors.
GM
GM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: East Coast
In the old days, i'm old enough to use that phrase, the heads on my sportster were aluminum, i think, but to clean them and shine them it was Semi Chrome, with the new ones i use a little regular chrome polish and mostly use just detailing spray on a micro fiber and the heads gleam. You don't need anything harsh.
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From: Eastern PA
4/0 wool
Granted, not a problem on the heads, but aren't you afraid of damaging the paint while polishing in some areas such as the dash when using steel wool?
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What are the "tiny little dots" that you are trying to remove from the chrome?It might just be road tar or bug guts.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Eastern PA
Tiny dots
I don't know what they are. I'm hoping they are not breakdown of the chrome plating. Too small to be bugs or road tar. They are evenly distributed, too small to get a photo of. Like a windshield that has just gotten wet from a light mist except they are gray colored.
The dots appear to be everywhere there is chrome; pipes, head, crash bars, starter, primary cover, air cleaner, etc. So it is not road splash or rain related. They may also be on the paint, but aren't visible because the paint is not the mirror that the chrome is.
They reduce the shine of the bike, because there is a difference where I polish and where I have only washed. It looks good where it has been washed, but it really sparkles where it has been polished.
The dots appear to be everywhere there is chrome; pipes, head, crash bars, starter, primary cover, air cleaner, etc. So it is not road splash or rain related. They may also be on the paint, but aren't visible because the paint is not the mirror that the chrome is.
They reduce the shine of the bike, because there is a difference where I polish and where I have only washed. It looks good where it has been washed, but it really sparkles where it has been polished.
Last edited by HD-Gyro; May 3, 2015 at 07:30 AM.
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