I'm wanting to loose all of the shiny stuff on the bike, (don't want to go completely black, but not shiny.) I've heard of others using scotch-brite to wear it down to make it look almost like a dull aluminum. Is this a terrible idea? If not, is there a certain technique to it? Just wonderin'!

 

I have done this on a couple of bikes. It takes time, but looks like brushed stainless or aluminum when done. Be sure to be random, not unidirectional, so as not put any deep striations in it.

 

Cool man! Thanks. Any specific kind? How much pressure?

 

I have done this too and it does give it a brushed look. Don't rub hard and and change up directions from time to time-you will see what I mean once you get started.

 

I'd use course steel wool, it will work about 10 times faster.

 

post pix...

 

If you have access to a good sand blasting cabinet, try using glass bead to blast. I've done this as prep to some chrome stuff I eventually painted flat black but it has a pretty cool look to it, a little rougher than a brushed aluminum look. Will definitely get rid of the shine.

 

Will this cause anything to rust? Or since your not taking all the coat off, it just dulls it?

 

I was wondering the same thing.

Anyone?

 

I did this to my stock heat shields and cycle shack slip ons. After about 6 months the cycle shacks started to get a little bit of a rust tinge to them, the heat shields looked great. I assume it was just a different grade of chrome. I ended up painting them black in the end though