Polishing the Frame

[tsnobaddays]

I was wondering what the best way to polish a aluminum frame ,and does it have any effect on anything as far as strength? I don't think that it does just wanted to make sure.

Thanx

 

[BigRedAF]

It doesn't affect the strength as long as you don't grind away material. Try using progressively finer scotch brite then switch to an aluminum polishing paste with a soft rag. It's a fairly easy job but you will need to buff the area's after each ride.

 

[IndyMX]

It's a pain in the a$$ to maintain, but looks pretty good once done.

 

[BigRedAF]

Hey Indy is that your steed? Looks nice!

Also, is that your mug with the cookie duster under the yellow hat?

 

[IndyMX]

Hey Indy is that your steed? Looks nice!

Also, is that your mug with the cookie duster under the yellow hat?

Yes & Yes

That's my 2000 CR125 right before Redbud last summer.

Hopefully the 450 will look that good this year!

 

[BigRedAF]

Cool, I'll be in Indy Tuesday night late, flying out Wednesday afternoon. Staying down town near PF Chang's.

If your close by we should do lunch so we can put a face to the comments since we seem to end up on the same page all the time.

Have to go, I'll check back later.

 

[IndyMX]

Drop me an email

 

[BigRedAF]

Drop me an email

Will do...

 

[tsnobaddays]

Thanx for the replys. I use Mothers Billet on my nerf bar and rims ,not cheap but works the best.

 

[IndyMX]

I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. Works pretty good, and it's not too expensive.

 

[wake_rider]

Staying down town near PF Chang's.

Ah.. PF Changs. So good..

 

[BigRedAF]

Thanx for the replys. I use Mothers Billet on my nerf bar and rims ,not cheap but works the best.

I use this stuff too, works real good. :cool:

 

[mmz77]

Here's my 98', I did a half a** job though...

I used turtle wax multi purpose polish and waxed it to hopefully preserve the shine.
;)

 

[tsnobaddays]

It doesn't affect the strength as long as you don't grind away material. Try using progressively finer scotch brite then switch to an aluminum polishing paste with a soft rag. It's a fairly easy job but you will need to buff the area's after each ride.

What type of Scotch Brite would I use ,and when do I know to go finer?

 

[IndyMX]

I used a green scotch brite.. Worked just fine by itself.

Then went with the polish.

 

[mmz77]

It's a pain in the a$$ to maintain, but looks pretty good once done.

looks good, maybe I'll have the patients to strip it down and do it correctly...

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

Once you get the aluminum all polished up you might want to try using something like "Sharkhide" to keep it from dulling so fast. Areas that get chaffing action would need to be touched up occasionally but the protected areas should stay nice and shiny if it has an appropriate coating on it.

Rod

 

[tsnobaddays]

What is Sharkhide?

 

[Backslayer]

The best stuff is called blue magic, mothers can't touch it

 

[rmc_olderthandirt]

What is Sharkhide?

http://sharkhide.com/

 

[tbirder]

Sharkhide

What is Sharkhide?

Hi all,
My name's Clint, and I own the company that produces Sharkhide Metal Protectant. My brother surf's this forum all the time, and told me about this thread. First of all, I'm not here to try to sell you anything, but to try to answer any questions you all might have about Sharkhide Metal Protectant.
Just briefly, I've been supplying Sharkhide to the motorcycle industry for years (mostly Harleys, and Sport Bikes), as well as the marine, trucking, and automotive industry. Sharkhide is a wipe on metal protectant for any metal. It protects your finish aginst staining, corrosion, oxidation and rust. You swipe a single coat on, it dries in about 60 to 90 seconds, and a single coat can last several years.
I'll lurk out here in the back ground for a while to see if I can answer any questions.
Hope I can be of some help,
Clint

 

[Matt Fisher]

If you apply Sharkhide, does it change the appearance at all? I would imagine it would change the feel from metal to plastic, correct? What's the temp limit; could it be used on a polished 2-stroke pipe?

 

[tbirder]

Sharkhide

If you apply Sharkhide, does it change the appearance at all? I would imagine it would change the feel from metal to plastic, correct? What's the temp limit; could it be used on a polished 2-stroke pipe?

Hey there Matt,
No Matt, It won't change the appearance at all. On Raw, Mill Finish, or Anodized aluminum it's invisible. The only way you can tell it's there is it looks like it's wet. On mirror finish aluminum, if the light, angle, and distance (6"-12")is just right, you can sometimes see a slight rainbow sheen. Kind of like on a soap bubble.
Sharkhide can withstand fairly high temps, but I've never tried it on an exhaust system. You could try it, and if it works, great. But if it doesn't last and starts looking bad, you simply swipe it off with lacquer thinner.
Hope this helps,
Clint

 

[tsnobaddays]

What the price on it for Aluminum? Where do you purchase it?

 

[SIXSIXZERO]

i polish stuff everyday (sidejob).
i use 800 then 1000 grit sand paper, then white jewlers rouge on a high speed wheel i have attached to an angle grinder.
it has always worked for me and comes out to a MIRROR finish everytime. i would however like to know more about this product that is being discussed because im tired of re-polishing my entire bike EVERY time i ride!!!