Boston needs help with corrosion

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Mar 28, 2011 | 04:27 PM

Rideordie13

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From: Boston, ma

Boston needs help with corrosion

Just bought a 93 sportster and it has some serious oxidation. I was told to go to an anodizer and ask them for the acid they use to clean their material. This is nitric and Hydro Fluorhidric acid. Now I was just told that elbow grease is the only thing that can get the oxidation out because the acid will change the color of the aluminum. Any help on that to use would be greatly appreciated

Mar 28, 2011 | 07:57 PM

Rideordie13

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From: Boston, ma

Any help with this?

Mar 29, 2011 | 06:22 AM

O.F.

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2010

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From: NH

Not sure exactly what it is but truckers use some kind of acid to clean the aluminum on their trucks that works well. Try a truck shop.

Mar 29, 2011 | 08:07 PM

Rideordie13

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From: Boston, ma

Thanks. I appreciate the assistance.

Mar 30, 2011 | 07:10 PM

frenchman

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Joined: Jan 2009

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From: Massachusetts

Start with a 120 grit sandpaper, work your way up to 1200, doubling grit size at every step. Start wet sanding at 600. Finish with Autosol aluminum, and you'll have a nice finish. For mirror polished, take the sanding up to 6000 or even 3M polishing sheets. Ellbow grease is always better then acid. Your gaskets will thank you.

Mar 30, 2011 | 07:23 PM

jayray

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Bought an 84 Ironhead from a beach town. This guy rode it and never cleaned it at all. The aluminum was really bad, pitted and just ugly. Elbow grease with 600 wet sand cleaned it up pretty good. Rubbing compound after that--- lots of work! You will love your bike after you work on it that hard!! I changed all the hardware as well...