Chrome cleaning question
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,958
Likes: 1
From: West Tennessee
RE: Chrome cleaning question
Yep, and be careful what cleaners you get on unplated aluminum. Some of the harsh stuff can really discolor it fast. The rocker boxes are also just polished aluminum.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Chrome cleaning question
ORIGINAL: CraigC
The rocker boxes are also just polished aluminum.
The rocker boxes are also just polished aluminum.
Todd
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Chrome cleaning question
Todd: Just make certain any parts you chrome plate get copper plated first and then chromed, especially if they are aluminum. The copper will stick to the aluminum then the chrome adheres better to the copper and resists cracking due to expansion and flexing. My $.02.
Ask an old timer in the chrome shop about this......very inportant on wheels.
Ask an old timer in the chrome shop about this......very inportant on wheels.
ORIGINAL: veniculum
Yeah...I have the same problem...I also have the Mothers Aluminum polish for my car wheels...I'll give it a try. I never got too upset about it because I put two and two together. The fact that HD sells a chrome version of those triple trees was indication enough that the stockers might not look as good as they could
I just found out last night that a buddy of mine started working for a company that does chrome plating. I may just have to get a shop manual soon so I can start taking my bike apart!
Todd
Yeah...I have the same problem...I also have the Mothers Aluminum polish for my car wheels...I'll give it a try. I never got too upset about it because I put two and two together. The fact that HD sells a chrome version of those triple trees was indication enough that the stockers might not look as good as they could
I just found out last night that a buddy of mine started working for a company that does chrome plating. I may just have to get a shop manual soon so I can start taking my bike apart!
Todd
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
RE: Chrome cleaning question
You might also try MAAS polish. I seemed to get better results with it than Mothers. It also does not cost as much. Give it a shot, you just might like it.
Bart
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Bart
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Chrome cleaning question
ORIGINAL: DDC1225
Thanks guys, I had a feeling that something wasnt right there when the trees were dulling faster than everything else.. and impossible to get clean where as the handlebars, dust caps on the forks, etc. were so easy to. I guess being as that they are polished aluminum that would make a difference. Looks like I will be picking up some Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish.
Thanks guys, I had a feeling that something wasnt right there when the trees were dulling faster than everything else.. and impossible to get clean where as the handlebars, dust caps on the forks, etc. were so easy to. I guess being as that they are polished aluminum that would make a difference. Looks like I will be picking up some Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Chrome cleaning question
Eagle One brand Never Dull. It looks like cotton wadding, but the more you rub the brighter it shines. My triple trees look like chrome. It really doesn't take that long. Be careful using regular chrome polish, it is too abrasive for the softer metals. It was leaving little scratches in my triple trees before I went to the Never Dull.