Tarnished 2012 primary cover!@@#$%!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Pennslytucky
bikerbabe911 i am not 100% sure the newer aluminum on bikes these days is coated like the older stuff was. mine actually started to flake off after a year or so, but it got all spotted before it started to flake off. i might have used harsh cleaners that caused that, but not sure. take it to a place that does metal polishing and ask them. like twizted said, you don't wanna have to pay for something you might not need or make it worse.
after i stripped it off though it looked better than when it left the factory and had a mirror finish to it.
after i stripped it off though it looked better than when it left the factory and had a mirror finish to it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 2
From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana
I'd rewash it with mild soap and water, dry it off. Then use some White Diamond polish on them, it will either bring the chrome up to shine, or it will make the aluminum shine like it's chrome.
The more you use White Diamond the shinier it will get (and yes the rag will turn ugly black).
The more you use White Diamond the shinier it will get (and yes the rag will turn ugly black).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Pennslytucky
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
i know that you can strip them with a buffer and clay bars but that takes a while. paint stripper will eat any painted or coated surface so be careful if you decide to go that route. maybe some other guys know a better way to strip off that crap. in a few years it turns yellow anyway.
Before doing that, I'd make sure it's an actual problem with the clear coat and not just spots from failing to dry those parts with a rag after they were washed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 104
From: Mississippi
The covers are not chrome on the switch back....They are polished aluminum...You will need a good aluminum polish and some elbow grease...I would not remove the cam cover to polish it...You will lose oil and need to buy another gasket...I don't think they would call it a cam cover if there is nothing behind it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
As ih4x4 has said in his charming way it kinda looks like soap scum that just needs washing off but if it isn't try this assuming you can get it in the States, I've used it for years and it works really well an all metals that aren't chromed, including alloys although they don't recommend to use it on polished alloys as it is slightly abrasive but if your covers are really screwed up you've nothing to loose.
http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/ac...al_Polish.html
http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/ac...al_Polish.html
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
With the bike completely cold spray the areas with simple green concentrate and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then rinse with warm water liberally. Now wash with car soap and rinse again. If it is only soap scum it should come off . If you fubared the clear coat then you are in for some heavy polishing with the stuff from JP cycles.