Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
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Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
Until I can afford the luxury of chrome, is there a way to buff out the aluminum on my bike to make it shine even close to chrome? I have tried a half a dozen aluminum polishes and a lot of elbow grease and can't seem to get it to shine as well as I think it should. Any suggestions??
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
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From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
I want to know about this too. Scootergrrl's bike has a lot of aluminum that I want to sparkle like chrome. Share any info that you find on this please. Thanks...
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 240
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RE: Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
I used to polish metalas a hobby. What makes the metal shiny is heat. You actually have to move the metal to get a high shine. A good high speed buffer will produce the heat and move the metal and some jewerler's rouge will work. You can get the rouge at Sear's. Use a Grey and then a white rouge . Do a search and you should find lots of info. Hand polishing takes time and you will only get so shiny. I takes many steps. I could get aluminum to a chrome finish with a buffing wheel. Good luck
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 11
From: Queens,New York
RE: Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
I just checked the detailing section didn't see it but I read it only a few days ago I believe this guy used a couple of different sand papers.I have to find it again because it was a great step by step post and his lower legs looked great.I f you guys find it before me let me know.thanks utz.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
Ok, I have found the post. You gotta scroll down a little to find the step by step, byt check out those sliders. They look great. You're welcome...https://www.hdforums.com/m_625460/tm.htm
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Road Warrior
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From: The Frozen Tundra
RE: Buffing out Aluminum Parts???
speed8988 Date 2/4/2007 8:05:52 PM I used to polish metalas a hobby. What makes the metal shiny is heat. You actually have to move the metal to get a high shine. A good high speed buffer will produce the heat and move the metal and some jewerler's rouge will work. You can get the rouge at Sear's. Use a Grey and then a white rouge . Do a search and you should find lots of info. Hand polishing takes time and you will only get so shiny. I takes many steps. I could get aluminum to a chrome finish with a buffing wheel. Good luck
I just finished my trees and lots of hand levers. Use a fast wheel and moderate pressure with the rouge as mentioned above for the best and quickest results. It took me a total of 30 minutes to do both my triple tree parts and they shine like chrome. Levers take, maybe, 15 minutes. Be careful to not get your parts snagged by the wheel or you'll have some gouges to sand out or fill with weld depending on the depth of the gouge.
Hope this helps.