Cylinder Cooling Fin Corrosion

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 5, 2011 | 02:00 PM

spokes54

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 69

Likes: 0

From: Tolland, CT

Cylinder Cooling Fin Corrosion

My 06 SG is showing corrosion on the left side of the front cylinder fins, and only on the polished ends. Any tips, tricks, ideas as to how to get it removed?
Thanks

Apr 5, 2011 | 02:03 PM

DocHarley

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 2,911

Likes: 2

From: South Fla.

Nevr-Dull works great for me, I've have also used fine steel wool and WD40.

To prevent corrosion I wipe down my fins now and then using a rag and WD40.

Apr 5, 2011 | 02:13 PM

spokes54

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 69

Likes: 0

From: Tolland, CT

i was afraid to use steel wool but I'll give it a try. The roads in CT are really beat this year from the brutal winter we had. Add to that the left over salt and it's a wonder everything doesn't corrode. Thanks for the tip.

Apr 6, 2011 | 01:32 AM

Expat1

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,221

Likes: 4

From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.

When aluminum starts to corrode, you need to remove the corroded areas and polish to a smooth surface. Try a grade 600 sand paper on a wooden block and you impregnate the abrasive with mineral oil or pork fat to avoid scratches.

Apr 6, 2011 | 06:57 AM

spokes54

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 69

Likes: 0

From: Tolland, CT

thank you expat. I'll give it a try.

Apr 6, 2011 | 07:01 AM

FDHOG

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,275

Likes: 241

From: Highlands, NJ

I used to use Brass Wool on my boat hardware. It won't scratch.
Light coat of WD40. I get the same thing cause I forget to coat them before winter.

Apr 6, 2011 | 08:52 AM

jamesroadking

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 1,328

Likes: 154

From: Lake City, Florida

I would touch up the black paint with high temp BBQ grill paint. Then would
use green scotch bite pads wetted with WD-40 on the edge of the fins on
my '99 Roadking that was a daily ride.

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

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Verdad Gallardo

Apr 7, 2011 | 08:00 AM

Expat1

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,221

Likes: 4

From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesroadking

I would touch up the black paint with high temp BBQ grill paint. Then would
use green scotch bite pads wetted with WD-40 on the edge of the fins on
my '99 Roadking that was a daily ride.

Black mat paint has to be as thin as possible otherwise it will not diffuse enough heat. The worry about using scotch brite is that it will make the edges of your fins look different / rounded compared to the rest of the machined surfaces of your engine. WD-40 may be a bit thin for the job because the oil / fat is used to avoid loose aluminum particles from grooving into the surface being polished / repaired.

Last edited by Expat1; Apr 7, 2011 at 08:04 AM.