Polishing
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
I have polished most of the aluminum on my Ironhead and did my stock rotors on my RKC. For aluminum, I use a bench mounted buffer with 8 inch wheels and a variety of compounds. For the rotors, I used sandpaper in a drill attachment.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 50
From: usa
The engine covers and wheels on my 06 standard didn't have any clearcoat on them.I used Mothers Mag and alum polish.It kept them looking good.I just did them a couple times a year on a rainy day.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 62
From: GA.
I just did my lowers a week or so ago. Sanded them with various grits to get the clear off, then used Mothers polish. They aren't chrome looking, but they're a huge improvement over what they were. I also did my wheels. they were so nasty that you couldn't get them clean looking. Sanded the crap out of them and polished them too. Another huge improvement that only cost me a little time......
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
My 08 lowers did not have any clearcoat. Used sandpaper of 400 up to 1200 grit to sand the rough spots smooth. Started out with white polishing compound with a foam ball on a drill. Finished with Meguires pink Mag polish and the foam ball and drill. Looks good to me and have not required a lot of upkeep.
Do yourself a favor and just pick up a set of chromed forks off Ebay. My last bike, I polished the fork lowers and for the amount of time put into the initial polishing and then the up keep of them I went chrome on my next bike. If you have plenty of time and nothing else to do, then go for it but I won't do it again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Once bare aluminum is polished,it will need to be clear coated,plated or constantly maintained to keep it shiny.
The best way to polish is how XXX did it.
The best way to polish is how XXX did it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: gone
Acid? any paint thinner works. i have used carb cleaner and a green scratchy pad on the three bikes that the clear has chipped/bubbled up on. works well enough. as for polishing, it just takes a lot of time, mothers and a green scratchy pad i f your doing it by hand. finish with rags to buff it out.
Last edited by troy.j; Dec 3, 2009 at 07:56 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Aluminum
I just finished my lowers. I think it's worth doing. It would be easier to take them off the bike, but if you just pull the front wheel, you can turn the lowers so you can get to them all the way around.
It takes time, but I always like to have some kind of project going on when I'm not riding or working.
Randy
It takes time, but I always like to have some kind of project going on when I'm not riding or working.
Randy
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