Scratches on heat shields - Buff Out or Buy New?
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
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From: Pluto
Scratches on heat shields - Buff Out or Buy New?
UPDATE: From the posts here I concluded that buffing was not an option. Several have also said the cost for new heat shields is outrageous....and I agree! But, I just wanted to pass along that I posted an ad on craigslist "Want to buy OEM heat shields..." and believe it or not a guy replied and had a full set (with the head pipes) in his attic in perfect shape and sold it all to me for only $20 dollars. Just goes to show you that there are some pretty cool and generous people out there - had a nice chat and I get to restore my bike to new looking! All is good!
I have fine scratches on the heat shields that are easily visible - I want to restore to new looking. Anyone have any luck buffing them out - if so, what what procedure did you use?
Otherwise, any idea how much new ones would cost: I would just need the 2 coming from the front and rear cylinder on the right side.
Thanks.
I have fine scratches on the heat shields that are easily visible - I want to restore to new looking. Anyone have any luck buffing them out - if so, what what procedure did you use?
Otherwise, any idea how much new ones would cost: I would just need the 2 coming from the front and rear cylinder on the right side.
Thanks.
Last edited by jacknthebox; Nov 1, 2011 at 10:28 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 932
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I have fine scratches on the heat shields that are easily visible - I want to restore to new looking. Anyone have any luck buffing them out - if so, what what procedure did you use?
Otherwise, any idea how much new ones would cost: I would just need the 2 coming from the front and rear cylinder on the right side.
Thanks.
Otherwise, any idea how much new ones would cost: I would just need the 2 coming from the front and rear cylinder on the right side.
Thanks.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the chrome on those is quite thin--- "buffing out" is not something you can really do with chrome plating as the chrome is a thin, thin layer ( often over copper and zinc).
live with, powder coat or replace
sidebar: in days of old, much of trim was stainless steel--- chrome was later used as a cost saving.
My 60's Cadillacs have gobs of stainless trim, the bumpers are chromed steel ( for the strength bumpers need) advantage of teh stainless is it always looks good, easy to repair dings and scratches do buff out
Most of the bright shiny stuff on the '53 FL is stainless, very little chrome at all.
mike
live with, powder coat or replace
sidebar: in days of old, much of trim was stainless steel--- chrome was later used as a cost saving.
My 60's Cadillacs have gobs of stainless trim, the bumpers are chromed steel ( for the strength bumpers need) advantage of teh stainless is it always looks good, easy to repair dings and scratches do buff out
Most of the bright shiny stuff on the '53 FL is stainless, very little chrome at all.
mike
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
On my 02 Duece I buffed mine and although the fine scratches I wanted to remove were gone, the plating is so thin that you could now see the nickel (yellowish tint) showing through in places.
I used a six-inch bench grinder with buffing wheels attached with the appropriate compound.
If you do try to buff yours the only advice I could give is be mindful of how thin the plating is. You may not be able to get all of the scratches out before you start going through the plating. But it's worth a try - If your not happy with the outcome then buy some new ones or have yours replated.
New heat shields from Harley were ridiculously expensive. In the neighborhood of a complete new aftermarket pipe. I suspect the parts guy may have given me bad info on the price but I never pursued that avenue any further.
Ended up finding a like new exhaust system (take-off) including the heat shields on Craigslist for $100.00.
I used a six-inch bench grinder with buffing wheels attached with the appropriate compound.
If you do try to buff yours the only advice I could give is be mindful of how thin the plating is. You may not be able to get all of the scratches out before you start going through the plating. But it's worth a try - If your not happy with the outcome then buy some new ones or have yours replated.
New heat shields from Harley were ridiculously expensive. In the neighborhood of a complete new aftermarket pipe. I suspect the parts guy may have given me bad info on the price but I never pursued that avenue any further.
Ended up finding a like new exhaust system (take-off) including the heat shields on Craigslist for $100.00.
Outstanding HDF Member
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From: New Jersey
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Road Warrior
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From: New Hampshire
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Club Member
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From: NJ
Just a comment. I'm 51 years old. I've heard the words/phrase "buff out" for 35 of my 51 years. I don't think I EVER successfully buffed out anything in my life. If bought compound, scratch remover, wax, polish, and more scratch remover. I have not EVER been able to make a scratch disappear.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: NJ
Just a comment. I'm 51 years old. I've heard the words/phrase "buff out" for 35 of my 51 years. I don't think I EVER successfully buffed out anything in my life. If bought compound, scratch remover, wax, polish, and more scratch remover. I have not EVER been able to make a scratch disappear.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
Just a comment. I'm 51 years old. I've heard the words/phrase "buff out" for 35 of my 51 years. I don't think I EVER successfully buffed out anything in my life. If bought compound, scratch remover, wax, polish, and more scratch remover. I have not EVER been able to make a scratch disappear.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
I think only once I " thought " it disappeared only to see it reappear a few days later. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the term " buff out" is total bs. Ok I'm done.
I have to say this really made me laugh cause it is so true!!!! Yeh I´ll buff it right out or it will buff right out is the biggest line of crap. I have scracthed some of my ikes in the day and they never just buffed right out. THen again I have never done body work it is not my trade.
As to the op. I hear where your coming from I love my bike to look as new as the day I bought it, as well as my sporty which is a new to me bike. But if your going for show room; replace, if not, blue job is very good stuff as well as ******* chrome polish. Lay it on heavy in small doses and give it a few layers, that might help. I would not powder coat, not to say that is not going to be in the near future for some parts, but when it comes to the exhaust I think chrome is just the best, but again it depends on what style you like and what your doing. with the burnt orange Road king; chrome is the only way to go. JMO