Author Topic: Any Magic for Polishing Alloy  (Read 4109 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

fredgold52

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 358
  • Karma: 0
  • Macomb, IL Flatlands Rule
on: February 07, 2008, 07:31:48 pm
I really enjoyed polishing my allow cases the first time.  They looked so much better than chrome.  So much character and class.

Having ridden the bike a few times in less than good weather, water from the street has sat and dried on my alloy cases leaving 'water spots' that don't seem to come out easily.

Anybody out there have any magic up their sleeves other than Simichrome or Mothers that will get the water spots off there.  Or am I doomed to have to mechanically polish the cases like with a polishing wheel and a drill motor?

All ideas will be considered and many will be tried.

Thanks
Fred
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


Kevin Mahoney

  • Gotten my hands dirty on bikes more than once -
  • Global Moderator
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,584
  • Karma: 0
  • Cozy Sidecar distributor/former Royal Enfield dist
Reply #1 on: February 07, 2008, 10:28:41 pm
When you get them shined up again you may want to consider our
"Worlds easiest Metal Polish http://www.royalenfieldusa.com/worlds-easiest-metal-polish-shine-shine-shine-p-410.html
It has some wax in it that helps protect the metal later. Or you might want to try some wax on it after you have polished it.
Best Regards,
Kevin Mahoney
www.cyclesidecar.com


fredgold52

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 358
  • Karma: 0
  • Macomb, IL Flatlands Rule
Reply #2 on: February 07, 2008, 11:30:19 pm
The metal polish sounds good.  I have two tubes of Simichrome my wife gave me to work through.  So it might be a while for the CMW polish.  Wax,,  wax,  yeah that's the ticket.  Got to get some carnuba wax to protect the surfaces after they get all shined up.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


greekxj

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 453
  • Karma: 0
Reply #3 on: February 07, 2008, 11:49:04 pm
Hey Fred, Flitz is awesome stuff too. Maybe hit it with some Mothers pure carnauba after.


Thumper

  • Psalm 23
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,066
  • Karma: 1
  • Classic Wannabe
Reply #4 on: February 08, 2008, 01:19:57 am
No magic, just muscle....

I'm thinking of a getting a set of buffing pads to go on my drill!

Matt


scoTTy

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,473
  • Karma: 0
Reply #5 on: February 08, 2008, 02:20:57 am
think dremel also


fredgold52

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 358
  • Karma: 0
  • Macomb, IL Flatlands Rule
Reply #6 on: February 08, 2008, 02:10:51 pm
Yeah, I'm thinking drill with pad and Dremel as well.  I have both tools, just need to pick up the pads and polishing wheels.  I wonder how far a Dremel can throw little gobs of Simichrome given the zillion rpms it turns.  Messy, , , , , , , , but effective. 8)
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


cyrusb

  • Kept man
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,616
  • Karma: 2
  • There's a last time for everything
Reply #7 on: February 08, 2008, 02:39:13 pm
Trying to keep aluminium shiny  and spot free especially if it gets hot , is a constant  pain.  The major manufacturers shoot it with clear, that leaves you some time to actually ride the bike, with some time left over for the rest of your life. I give mine wd40 treatments till it reaches a stable dull look, then go riding.....
2005E Fixed and or Replaced: ignition, fenders,chainguard,wires,carb,headlight,seat,tailight,sprockets,chain,shock springs,fork springs, exhaust system, horn,shifter,clutch arm, trafficators,crankcase vent.


Kevin Mahoney

  • Gotten my hands dirty on bikes more than once -
  • Global Moderator
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,584
  • Karma: 0
  • Cozy Sidecar distributor/former Royal Enfield dist
Reply #8 on: February 08, 2008, 03:28:03 pm
The Carnuba in our metal polish is the "secret ingredient". I am sure that it you polish your cases with something and then find some Carnuba to apply afterword the result would be better than nothing at all.
Best Regards,
Kevin Mahoney
www.cyclesidecar.com


Thumper

  • Psalm 23
  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,066
  • Karma: 1
  • Classic Wannabe
Reply #9 on: February 08, 2008, 04:01:26 pm
The major manufacturers shoot it with clear.....

Sacrilege!


fredgold52

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 358
  • Karma: 0
  • Macomb, IL Flatlands Rule
Reply #10 on: February 08, 2008, 05:18:10 pm
The Carnuba in our metal polish is the "secret ingredient". I am sure that it you polish your cases with something and then find some Carnuba to apply afterword the result would be better than nothing at all.

I agree, Kevin.  I just bought some polishing tools and some Mothers California Gold, very much carnuba in it.  I really can't see spraying my cases with any rattle can clear.  I know that's not what Cyrusb was suggesting. 

I think part of the water spot problem was not wiping the alloy off after riding the bike through wet streets and puddles.
2006 '65' and a 200cc Stella, Indian all the way


SRL790

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 336
  • Karma: 0
  • 1954 350
Reply #11 on: February 09, 2008, 07:55:49 pm
Yeah, I'm thinking drill with pad and Dremel as well.

If you have compressed air available an air die grinder is a nice compromise between the drill and dremel.
Andy Wiltshire
54 350 Bullet, 62 Jaguar MK II, 68 BSA Spitfire, 69 BSA Starfire
70 Bonneville, 71 Bonneville, 71 BSA B25T, 74 Jensen Healey
74 Honda XR75, 81 Yamaha MX80, 82 Suzuki GS1100G