Polishing Front Fork Tubes ?

[kballowe]

You know how those front fork tubes lose the clearcoat and get ugly ?

Well, I decided to try and polish them. 

The clearcoat sanded thru quite easily.  Started with 400 grit and progressively to 1000 grit - and then a quick polish with Mother's aluminum polish on a foam drill pad

Initial results are encouraging.

[jrt]

That does look nice!

[bigbikerrick]

You missed a spot!... ..just kidding, it looks awesome! Are you going to clear coat them,or leave them bare?
Rick.

[kballowe]

You missed a spot!... ..just kidding, it looks awesome! Are you going to clear coat them,or leave them bare?
Rick.

I've not ever clear-coated bare aluminum, but I have seen others try it, with less than spectacular results - especially a couple years later.

These will be left bare, after a final polishing with White Diamonds metal polish.  I've used this as a final polish on aluminum wheels and they stay nice for months.  The literature says "Metal polish with a long lasting sealer" and they're right

[TN Mark]

There is a powder coat powder that’s clear. That’s what I would consider doing. The issue is once they’re polished so smooth, there’s nothing for paint or powder to grab on to because the surface is so smooth.

Having them chrome plated after polishing is really the best option. I recently used a good chrome shop in GA that did an excellent job.

[Bulldog9]

You know how those front fork tubes lose the clearcoat and get ugly ?

Well, I decided to try and polish them. 

The clearcoat sanded thru quite easily.  Started with 400 grit and progressively to 1000 grit - and then a quick polish with Mother's aluminum polish on a foam drill pad

Initial results are encouraging.

Looks fantastic. YMMV, But I've done this on several bikes over the years and found that sealing it with PJ1 clear case paint kept it looking good for several years and required no major care to keep looking good

[larrys]

That lower looks very nice! Having cut my teeth on Brit bikes, I got pretty good at polishing aluminum. Never clear coated any of it. Once you get it to that really shiny surface, it's pretty easy to keep it that way. I've polished all the aluminum my Cal, a shine with Mother's once a year keeps it nice. One ride in the rain without cleaning it up when you get home will mess it up good, though. YMMV.
Larry

[kballowe]

Well I got finished, but I have this leftover part.

 

[jrt]

It's fine- that part is redundant anyhow.  There's one in the other leg.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

There's a guy on ADV Rider, "Fast Idle", that does some spectacular restorations. He uses Mop & Glo to protect his polished alloy.

[Moparnut72]

I have been following him for several bikes. Beautiful bikes and really nice work. The Mop & Glow really got me.
kk

[kballowe]

There's a guy on ADV Rider, "Fast Idle", that does some spectacular restorations. He uses Mop & Glo to protect his polished alloy.

I've never used Mop & Glow, but I buy Mr. Clean concentrate for cleaning - by the gallon.  More effective and substantially less $$$ than specialty motorcycle/automotive products.

[guzziart]

Ok, slow on the uptake here....
-Mr. Clean to wash bike vs other cleaners (honda Bright, bike brite, etc.)??!!
-Mop & glow to protect cleaned aluminum vs other polishes (spray wax/paste wax, etc.)??!!
Thanks,
Art

[kballowe]

Ok, slow on the uptake here....
-Mr. Clean to wash bike vs other cleaners (honda Bright, bike brite, etc.)??!!
-Mop & glow to protect cleaned aluminum vs other polishes (spray wax/paste wax, etc.)??!!
Thanks,
Art

Mr Clean works well for cleaning with four fingers deep in a quart spray bottle filled with water.  It'll even clean most brake dust on calipers, etc.  It's cheap, smells good and it works.

It's not a polish.   You'll have to recommend something else for polishing.  LOL