cleaning aluminum

[dodjh]

To clean the aluminum side covers, parts of motor housings, and other associated parts, is steel wool best (if so what grit) or something else?

There are no areas that aren't terriblly bad but some might require a lot of elbow grease.

Thanks
dodjh

[dodjh]

aluminum cleaning

I read posts on aluminum cleaning and have a broad range
of options---sorry for jumping the gun: should have checked there first!

dodjh

[trbig]

You pretty much nailed it the first time....

a lot of elbow grease.

Tod

[red bandit]

Steelwool works good, but it leaves little bits of steel stuck in the aluminum that rusts. Sand paper is better. I bought a 3" cone shaped buffer that goes in my electric drill, with some polishing rough... works great. After the first sanding and polishing, leave parts on bike and polish with drill and buffer.

[mro]

I sanded my MNS sissy bar, 100, 220, 440 then 1000
looks like new. Sanded out the casting marks too.

Only problem now is that just about anything will leave a scratch on it. Think clear coat is more scratch resistant than aluminum.


mro

[Dennyz]

Engine covers and front forks have a clear coat over them. I use an epoxy stripper/remover to get it off.

[planedick]

Cleaning AL

S100 is great stuff. It will clean all the gunk off aluminum with minimal "elbow grease".

[DeanR]

scotchbrite pads and Mothers aluminum polish have worked pretty well for me

[renegade_xs11g]

My truck mechanic used to prep show trucks for the shows, His tip is also scotch-brite pads and polish of your choice

Have you seen some of the show TRUCKS...

The shine on those aluminum tanks and wheels... in a word 'MIRROR'

Put those cheap sunglasses on just to look

[dodjh]

aluminum cleaning

renegade-xs11g,

Nice looking bike---what type of exhaust pipes are those?
Does scotch brite pads come in different grades of fineness or coarseness?

dodjh

[renegade_xs11g]

Thanks for the flowers...

Sorry... CB lingo for thanks for the compliment.

Those PIPES...regular, everyday, run of the mill straight 1-7/8 exhaust pipe from muffler man of all places. 33" from the end of the collector

I've decided to either put in baffles or get proper mufflers, still have to tune it properly, but it's WAY to loud.

GOD, I never thought I'd say that. Use to say "if it's too loud, you're too old" but I can't hear my self think, plus my WIFE can't hear her I-POD.

The MONSTER has been going thru a make over for 2-1/2 years, Hard to tell what it may wind up looking like when done. LOL

[renegade_xs11g]

OH yeah...

I spray painted the headers and pipes w/ high temp BBQ grill flat black

Wal-Mart about 5 bucks per can

Sure looks better than that old pitted and dull chrome