Tweet
Shiny Stuff
I live in Atlantic Canada, and the weather is a bit hard on the bike's shiny stuff. The chrome I can clean. It's the aluminum stuff that a bit harder. So far I've found zilch that will restore it to a semblance of when it was new. Anyone out there have any suggestions of products, methods I could try ?
-
Bob M. -
You might try the tech tips for some information.1980 XS850SG - Sold
1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).
Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
-H. Ford -
Here's another way.... http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26497
Keep in mind, you'll have to disassemble parts to do this; doing any of this 'in place' will make a god-awful mess... well, you'll have a mess anyway, but you'll keep it off the bike.
You might try a product called 'Nevrdull' (sold at truck stops around here) if you don't want to do all this, but if there's any of the original clear-coat left on the parts, you'll have to get that off first.
'78E original ownerFast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two
'78E original owner - resto project
'78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
'82 XJ rebuild project
'80SG restified, red SOLD
'79F parts...
'81H more parts...
Other current bikes:
'93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
'86 XL883/1200 Chopper
'82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...Comment
-
Metal Polish
There's a product available called Wicked Metal Polish. Check it out here.
I've used this stuff on chrome checker plate on our firetrucks and it is amazing how well this stuff restores the shine to the boot scuffed chrome. Its supposed to work on many different polished metal finishes.
As a fellow Atlantic Canadian I understand what your up against!FireManStan7
1979 XS1100F
"I'm goin ridin...anyway"Comment
-
I recently buffed out a spot on a float bowl, then applied an industrial product of sodium silicate. Very nice clear shinny coating.
This product is a glass molecule and should last for many years, BUT the only way I know of to remove it is sand blasting so if something were to go wrong it might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Manufacturer is Canadian, google “sodium silicate”.
I’ve also tried another product for cleaning/restoring aluminum.
The sample given me is the raw product (combination of 5 types of acid) and was suggested dilutions up to 20 to 1 with water. I’ve only tested it at the 20/1 ratio and while it did clean, it did not shine. I don’t know when I’ll get around to further testing it.
I did pour some on a badly pitted rust spot on a chrome exhaust. Ate it away to bare metal in a minute or so.
mro
BTW, if you find something that is XSeptionaly good let us know
Comment
Comment