cleaning engine fins

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 31, 2011 | 04:59 AM

#21

lbienforcer

Stage I

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Tuckerton, NJ

How did you do this?

Did you use the Scotch Brite 3m to clean this? I wanna do mine as well. Bought a 2008 FLSTF from a guy who wasnt nearly as much of a clean freak as I am. He put 4k on the bike and never cleaned the fins. I tried using white diamond and mothers but after getting that on the black part and realizing how hard it was to get off I said screw that....lol

Aug 31, 2011 | 05:32 AM

#22

SteveO-ll

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,427

Likes: 2

From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana

Well, one thing mentioned was cleaning them with simple green which is good, I also use scrubbing bubbles then rise off and dry. If you want then to really shine try some White Diamond polish on a rag then use a buffing wheel (a Dremel works good), they be really shine'n then.

Aug 31, 2011 | 05:42 AM

#23

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,982

Likes: 6,110

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdsmitty10

Maybe I should just get them diamond cut then hah... Wifey would go for that after a 3k rim job..

Either way, dull silver will be better than what I have. Previous owner let it get this way, now I need to fix it the best I can

Is it your bike & $$ or the wifey's?

Aug 31, 2011 | 10:01 AM

#24

TennesseeMustangPerf

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 4,828

Likes: 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stash905

Try a 3M Scotch Brite pad.

Another vote here. We use Scotchbrites in the body shop industry to rough up the clear coat. It does this without "shaping" the body. Use a brown SB, if that does not work then step up to a red. As an added bonus, the pad is thick enough to fit inside the fins just nicely.

Aug 31, 2011 | 10:11 AM

#25

Ribaldmanikin

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 786

Likes: 0

From: Edmonton, AB.

Cut a q-tip in half, insert in dremel (low speed), and use lots of polish.

Personally, never tried it on the motorcycle, but it's pretty effective with small shiny things.

Aug 31, 2011 | 10:29 AM

#26

Maclugie

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 779

Likes: 4

From: Upstate New York

S100 spray bike wash.

Aug 31, 2011 | 12:24 PM

#27

DinoVelvet

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 2,144

Likes: 1

From: British Columbia

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdsmitty10

I have asked in the past how to clean my engine fins, I tried the recommendations of s100 and other cleaning products.

Some of the fins have some discoloration/oxidation...

I am thinking they need sanded with a high grit.

What grit do you think I should go with? Autozone has an assortment up to 2500 grit. Should i just get that and try the highest and see if it works, if not, go down from there?

thanks,
Jon

a local shop here suggested I use some wheel acid that you get for cleaning rims. very careful not to get it on polished parts or they will turn white but you can get it on chrome.

spray the fins and the other painted engine parts that are dirty, let sit for a minute or two and then hose it off, maybe do it just before you wash your bike.

my fins and primary came out really nicely. have to do that maybe once every 2 or so years.

Aug 31, 2011 | 12:42 PM

#28

Hooker 6

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 420

Likes: 0

From: Peachtree City, GA

I use a sheetrock sponge sanding block to get the outside of the cooling fins, where it is suppose to be bare metal. It doesn't get them shiny, but sure gets rid of the corrosion. Then I use pig spit to bring out the black.on the interior sides of the fins.