Chrome front end?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 18
From: Maryland
Hogpro is correct......aluminum oxidizes over time and there is nothing you can do about it except to keep polishing it. That said there is a thread on here where someone polished the lowers on his softail........might have a different perspective since it's been awhile on the posting.
I only kown this because I work for a company that buys lots of aluminum components and we conversion coat them in order to prevent oxidation.
I only kown this because I work for a company that buys lots of aluminum components and we conversion coat them in order to prevent oxidation.
Someone polished the frame on my Triumph SprintST before I bought it and it was such a pain to keep polished and shiny I brushed it with red scotchbrite which lasted for quite a lot longer and took all of 5 min to clean up. Polished aluminum that's not sealed is a huge pain in the *** to keep shiny.
Thanks for the heads up guys! I guess I'll just wait till I can afford chromed lowers. Just saving now for hydr cam plate chain tensioner upgrade and shotgun shocks so chrome lowers will have a long wait haha.
Will the madness ever stop? LMAO
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Did this a few years back. No problem keeping them shiny. I may hit it with mothers polish once a year. Twice may be better, no big deal, it only takes a couple minutes. No clear coat.
Hogpro is correct......aluminum oxidizes over time and there is nothing you can do about it except to keep polishing it. That said there is a thread on here where someone polished the lowers on his softail........might have a different perspective since it's been awhile on the posting.
I only kown this because I work for a company that buys lots of aluminum components and we conversion coat them in order to prevent oxidation.
I only kown this because I work for a company that buys lots of aluminum components and we conversion coat them in order to prevent oxidation.
The best thing is it will not rust and you can sand out rock chips, dents. Try that with Chrome!!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Clarkston
Kuma I think it might depend on your weather, up here in Detroit area we get a lot of salt on the roads in the winter that takes a while to go away and then it's usually pretty humid in the summers so neither of those are great for bare aluminum. I would tend to agree that polished lowers would be slightly easier path only because you don't need to change the cowbells or disassemble the forks.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 18
From: Maryland
Kuma how long did the initial polishing take?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Doesnt some polish have wax in it to help slow down oxidization? Most chrome or aluminum is ok if you polish it in the spring and keep it clean. I also use a wax friendly soap so that I dont strip the light coat I have.
Either way you go its like everything else, just have to take care of it...chrome is not for lazy guys (thats why powdercoat was invented..lol jk)
Either way you go its like everything else, just have to take care of it...chrome is not for lazy guys (thats why powdercoat was invented..lol jk)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Ghoticov did the lowers on his FXSTC this past summer. May want to ask him about upkeep. Probably polish mine this winter. Fork braces don't fit with chrome so this is my option. Knucklehead Liquidators has a selection of obsolete parts, most new in box for 1/2 price. Might want to check them out.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Several hours. Use paint stripper first. Makes the job easier, faster. Then go through the various grits of sandpaper paper. Its worth the time to remove front wheel and fender also. The payback is huge given labor is free and sandpaper is cheap. Lots of other people have done this in the dyna and softial forums. I could have bought chrome lowers from a local indy for $125 - fogetta bout it!! lol
Another guy who polished lowers:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/5762397-post32.html
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Another guy who polished lowers:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/5762397-post32.html
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Nicky Pass
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Nov 13, 2010 11:59 AM