Polishing aluminum
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17
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Polishing aluminum
I'm polishing my aluminum covers on the bike with the cloth wheels you put on your bench grinder and different colored compounds.does anyone know do i have to clear coat or spray them when there done.Seems like i'm removing some sort of coating during this process.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 369
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From: Land of the sunstroke
the factory *polished* covers have a clear coat on them. Polished alum looks good, but its a bitch to keep clean, and you have to stay on it constantly because it starts to oxidize almost as soon as your done. It will be very difficult to clear the parts if there is ANY wax or polish left on at all, it also will be prone to chipping, as there wont be a rough surface for the clear to get any *bite* on.
I polished the stock rims on the FLHT 4 months ago. The still look great.
You can use a clearcoat but it will yellow after time.
I think just keeping an eye it with an occasional touch up would be best.
Good luck!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Yes, you have clear. You need to strip them with aircraft stripper before polishing.
As far as upkeep goes, they will stay looking nice and shiny with minimal effort unless your bike sits out int he elements 24/7. I polished nearly everything on my Ironhead 15 years ago. I might shine it up a bit with some Mother's once or twice a year at most. It still looks great, IMO.
As far as upkeep goes, they will stay looking nice and shiny with minimal effort unless your bike sits out int he elements 24/7. I polished nearly everything on my Ironhead 15 years ago. I might shine it up a bit with some Mother's once or twice a year at most. It still looks great, IMO.
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