Cleaning engine aluminum
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
Cleaning engine aluminum
This topic has probably been raised before, but my question is kind of specific....I use Mothers tire and wheel cleaner for the wheels; is it effective on the aluminum parts of the engine? If not is there any product that isn't too labor intensive that results in a nice clean surface? Keep in mind it is not polished aluminum.....
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
What do you mean it's not polished? What is it? If you're talking about the primary, cams and pully covers, I think they're clear coated, polished aluminum. All you can do is clean the clear coat, unless you want to strip the clear and polish them proper.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
Geez, you are absolutely right....I took a closer look and they are polished - my apologies. Saying that, I suppose any not abrasive cleaner will do, yes?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
If you use an abrasive on the clear coat, it will dull, or fog, the finish. Unless, it's an ultra-fine compound, suitable for automotive clear coats. The only way to actually polish the aluminum, is to get past the clear coat. It that case, use an extremly aggressive compound, or sand paper, to get rid of the clear. Then, you can actually polish the aluminum. That takes a bit of elbow grease, but it's been done. It's easier to chemically strip the clear (after the parts are removed for the procedure), then buff the aluminum on a buffing wheel.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
If you use an abrasive on the clear coat, it will dull, or fog, the finish. Unless, it's an ultra-fine compound, suitable for automotive clear coats. The only way to actually polish the aluminum, is to get past the clear coat. It that case, use an extremly aggressive compound, or sand paper, to get rid of the clear. Then, you can actually polish the aluminum. That takes a bit of elbow grease, but it's been done. It's easier to chemically strip the clear (after the parts are removed for the procedure), then buff the aluminum on a buffing wheel.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
I gottcha. It's a mess and a lot of work to strip the clear while the parts are on the bike. Just clean the clear (and protect it) like you would any painted surface. No big deal.
If you should decide to polish some aluminum, like your stock hand levers or similiar, I use two 5 or 6 inch buffing pads (to gain polishing width) from Home Depot on one arbor attached to my heavy duty 1/2" drill:
If you should decide to polish some aluminum, like your stock hand levers or similiar, I use two 5 or 6 inch buffing pads (to gain polishing width) from Home Depot on one arbor attached to my heavy duty 1/2" drill:
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Bug slide works well and it keeps it from getting caked on bugs later. I ended up chroming mine because I didn't like the polished look 
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 4,038
From: San Diego, CA
You can use Aircraft Remover to remove the clear coat, then polish the metal underneath. Unless you live on the beach like I do, I doubt your spiderweb is bad enough to go that far. Even I have not done that yet, I kind of like the aged "patina" that the spiderweb gives, but that's me.
I'd like to know what would be good to clean the aluminum cylinders, heads, and case halves. Mine are pretty crusty from the beach environment. Of course, I'm not that into spraying my bike with water very often, don't need any electrical gremlins.
John
I'd like to know what would be good to clean the aluminum cylinders, heads, and case halves. Mine are pretty crusty from the beach environment. Of course, I'm not that into spraying my bike with water very often, don't need any electrical gremlins.
John
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post