Cleaning aluminium / metal / chrome = Oxidization / dull etc

[Guest]

Hi. I have been on the youtube videos looking at how people are cleaning up aluminum and chrome. Seen lots of 'products'.

Never Dull - Aluminator - Shine On - Elbow Grease - Engine Oil - Just Sand Paper - Oven Cleaner list goes on..

Obviously no one job is the same. I don;t think I will be taking the engine off to be honest, not with my limited knowledge on bike building and engines etc.

I heard you need to use a paint stripper to get rid of the protector, then use said products or just sand paper etc... Too many options and I would like to ask here to see what you guys have used? Or what you could recommend?

I think I will be doing all the work myself as I want to spend some time on the bike myself and get to know my way around some light restoration.

Here are some detailed pics below.

Thanks.

http://s16.postimg.org/5i8tyiyf9/DSC_4821.jpg

http://s27.postimg.org/3rwb9vgs3/DSC_4822.jpg

http://s3.postimg.org/wm82ssbbn/DSC_4818.jpg

http://s14.postimg.org/tv1g61gjl/DSC_4817.jpg

http://s10.postimg.org/xki0ml6rd/DSC_4816.jpg

http://s13.postimg.org/rpemvzsdz/DSC_4813.jpg

[Mr Fro]

I like Autosol but I think most products of that nature are just a mild abrasive.

I've used fine wet and dry paper on aluminium forks before with good results but you've got to keep sanding in one plane to avoid loads of swirl marks. You can get buffing pads for angle grinders/drills/bench polishers but I've not had to do a job that big. Yet...

I would definitely avoid anything caustic such as oven cleaner as it could quite easily corrode ali or totally ruin chrome that's only just holding on.

[hardleydavidson]

I use Magical Miracle Metal cream, works a treat, takes care of surface rust and brings up ali like new but takes some buffing, smells slightly of ammonia so may be corrosive but so far I haven't had any issues with it, just don't leave big blobs of it on there for ages.

Think my missus got it from the Betterware catalogue!!

[Guest]

I use Magical Miracle Metal cream,

 

Hi, do you have a brand name or link??

Or is it called BLUE MAGIC??

 

I like Autosol but I think most products of that nature are just a mild abrasive.

 

I think this is just a metal polisher?? I need something that will get rid of oxidization.

[Guest]

Interesting article here: They basically conclude that it might not be worth it unless you plan to take it all apart and bead-blast it.. ?

http://forums.anandtech.com/archive/ind ... 89716.html

[eastanglianbiker]

the engine cases have the laquer peeling of them and the alloy below is oxidising so you need to strip all the laquer off paint stripper can be used for that just make sure you wash casing off well and then polish it up using hard work and plenty of patience,can use very fine wet and dry with solvol autosolv or a cream polish similar to it

[Guest]

Yeah that sounds good..

any advice on in the middle of the 'vents' or 'fins'..

I have heard it's not too good to mess with these...

Or what's your advice on them??

With wet n dry paper... do you do this with water or while rubbing in the solvol autosolv in??

[V1P3R]

I've heard that you can apply thin smear of Vaseline on chrome things like wheels to protect them. Then on next wash all dirt has stuck to the Vaseline cones straight off leaving shiny chrome.

[Guest]

I've heard that you can apply thin smear of Vaseline on chrome things like wheels to protect them. Then on next wash all dirt has stuck to the Vaseline cones straight off leaving shiny chrome.

 

Makes sense

If only the previous owner had thought of this!!

[Guest]

I just need to get a garage/workspace right now...

The I will start to explore the bike, taking the lighter parts off like tank, seat, rear wheel etc...

I will get paint stripper... But will have to be very careful not to get this anywhere else on the bike!

[hardleydavidson]

This is the stuff, won't do anything for pitted rust but brought my ali rims up a treat.

http://www.betterware.co.uk/miracle-met ... cream.html

[cruz]

Don't use anything abrasive on chrome.

I use Brasso wadding, harder work but better for the finish.

[Guest]

Anyone ever heard of this stuff?

NEVER DULL...?

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Not sure if it's actually just an American thing?

[DreamytimeEscorts]

Smokers toothpaste works and it's cheaper than Autosol

[Guest]

Smokers toothpaste works and it's cheaper than Autosol

 

Ha, right.... really??

I can just see how that one come about...

[DreamytimeEscorts]

Nope, I've done it. I originally used it to get marker pen off a table (don't ask) but it shifts the white powdery stuff you get on ally over the winter. Don't expect it to shine like a chrome finish though because it won't

[Guest]

does it get rid of oxidization? as in my pictures on page 1?

[DreamytimeEscorts]

To be honest, I'd say "no" because the chrome parts look pitted to me and the other parts look like the need the attention of a wire brush and some black BBQ paint.

[Mr Fro]

Plus factor in the time and expense involved in taking up smoking.