Protecting Aluminum (valve covers, and other parts)

[sign216]

The valve covers of my '09 V7 are showing some heavy whitish corrosion, characteristic of aluminum.  I've got some other vintage bikes that show it on the engine cases too. 

I've been using paste wax, but apparently it's not sufficient to protect them.

What's out there?  Snake oil, hokum? 

[oldbike54]

 Might be the paste wax breaking down that you are seeing . Simichrome .

 Dusty

[tonyduc]

I polished my 69 Ducati engine case with S100 metal polish (you can find on eBay) a year ago and the corrosion hasn�t returned.

[sign216]

Might be the paste wax breaking down that you are seeing . Simichrome .

 Dusty

Dusty,
I'd be thrilled if this were just the paste wax residue, but it's deeper.  It's the whitish corrosion that aluminum gets.

TonyDuc,
I'll keep S100 in mind.  I've heard good reports about it.

Joe

[Ncdan]

The most efficient way to polish aluminum is to use a buffer pad on a high speed drill with some jewelry rouge and polish them to a high gloss finish.

[Rich A]

This stuff, alumaguard, is made for marine applications, but it's good for motorcycles, too.

Expensive, though.

https://www.amazon.com/Rupp-Marine-CA-0087-Alumaguard-Protectant/dp/B001448KBC#customerReviews

Rich A

[LowRyter]

since the covers are aluminum you should be able to polish it.  Perhaps a mechanical polisher rather than by hand?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Flitz..

[oldbike54]

Flitz..

 Bzztt .

 Dusty

[sign216]

This stuff, alumaguard, is made for marine applications, but it's good for motorcycles, too.

Expensive, though.

https://www.amazon.com/Rupp-Marine-CA-0087-Alumaguard-Protectant/dp/B001448KBC#customerReviews

Rich A

Rich,

$25 a bottle?  This isn't rocket science.  I want protection, but I don't want to be gouged either.  I might end up w that stuff.  Who knows.

All others, it's not so much the polish/sanding, it keeping the corrosion at bay.  I thought standard paste wax would be fine, and it held up for 8 years.  Maybe that's all one can hope for.

[canuck750]

ASF50 

if you can't find it locally try Ebay

[malik]

The rocker covers of the V7C were looking very sorry for themselves. I grind most of the corrosion off with fine stones, then a couple of different compounds on a pedestal polisher, then by hand with purple polish deoxidiser & Purple Polish itself, then buffed on the pedestal polisher. Looked pretty good. Finished off with a smear coat of ACF50 in an attempt to prevent corrosion forming so fast. It's been a few months now, and still looking decent. Just have to remember to keep the ACF50 up to them.






BRW - the disc & pads have now bedded in oK. The lever action now a little more definite, too. Just have to test (gingerly) that new disc in the wet.

[John Ulrich]

Rolite is the name to know.  Used by Airstream restorers and the aviation crowd.  This stuff gets out the scratches that Simichrome, Fritz, Eagle One etc leave.  Yes, look at the piece real close and see the micro scratches left.....Rolite is the last step for a total "clear" finish.

http://rolitecompany.com/



 

[molly]

ASF50 

if you can't find it locally try Ebay

There are loads of videos on Youtube showing ACF50 being one of the best corrosion inhibitors out there.

[chuck peterson]

Rolite is the name to know.  Used by Airstream restorers and the aviation crowd.  This stuff gets out the scratches that Simichrome, Fritz, Eagle One etc leave.  Yes, look at the piece real close and see the micro scratches left.....Rolite is the last step for a total "clear" finish.

http://rolitecompany.com/

Thanks! Now I'm doomed to polishing....foreve r...I might as well buy the cheapest deal (guzzi content) and get the $1595 economy size...and point me to the nearest Airsteam...

[yogidozer]

Thanks! Now I'm doomed to polishing....foreve r...I might as well buy the cheapest deal (guzzi content) and get the $1595 economy size...and point me to the nearest Airsteam...

FREE shipping on orders over $99!
 

Rolite ®
Midas Touch®
Opti Gloss®
AP Series
Supraseries

[Chuck in Indiana]

Rolite is the name to know.  Used by Airstream restorers and the aviation crowd.  This stuff gets out the scratches that Simichrome, Fritz, Eagle One etc leave.  Yes, look at the piece real close and see the micro scratches left.....Rolite is the last step for a total "clear" finish.

http://rolitecompany.com/

Probably ought to pay attention to John.. he's been taught by that master detailer Ken Hand..here the Turnip farmer is giving some chrome polishing tips..
023 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

[sign216]

There are loads of videos on Youtube showing ACF50 being one of the best corrosion inhibitors out there.

I use ACF50, mainly for electrical connections.  It's a liquid, and I'm surprised it would hold up a long time, exposed on the valve covers.  I'm guessing a heavy paste wax would be better.  Perhaps the answer is to keep re-applying, no matter what product you use.

Prior, I used a liquid metal wax, but applied only once or twice a season.  After 8 years, I guess some corrosion is expected.

[Ncdan]

Another procedure that worked for me. On valve covers, since they are easy to remove for the most part, this worked really well for me on an 83 Honda silverwing. I removed the valve covers and polished them to a fine Crome looking finish. Then I applied several coats of high quality, high heat clear finish. I rode the bike several thousand miles and they never changed their new look. The next valve adjustment I do on my Calvin I intend to do this again.

[canuck750]

This is the web site for ACF 50 - explains how it works

http://learchem.com/products/acf-50.html

[sign216]

Another procedure that worked for me. On valve covers, since they are easy to remove for the most part, this worked really well for me on an 83 Honda silverwing. I removed the valve covers and polished them to a fine Crome looking finish. Then I applied several coats of high quality, high heat clear finish. I rode the bike several thousand miles and they never changed their new look. The next valve adjustment I do on my Calvin I intend to do this again.

Ncdan,
I am liking the clear finish idea.  That should stand up longer than a spray or was. 

Canuck,
I like Acf-50, use often, I just don't think valve covers are the best place for it.
I use Acf-50 to protect electrical connections.

[jbell]

The most efficient way to polish aluminum is to use a buffer pad on a high speed drill with some jewelry rouge and polish them to a high gloss finish.

 :1:   

You may have to step up to jeweler's rouge with one or two more aggressive compounds.  Be sure to use looser pads as you progress and don't use the same pad for different polishes/buffing agents.  The shine will last a long time and an occasional hit with semichrome will bring the glow right back.  Harbor Freight is your friend here.

[sign216]

:1:   

You may have to step up to jeweler's rouge with one or two more aggressive compounds.  Be sure to use looser pads as you progress and don't use the same pad for different polishes/buffing agents.  The shine will last a long time and an occasional hit with semichrome will bring the glow right back.  Harbor Freight is your friend here.

Jeweler's rouge?  Wow, you guys are fancy.  I was going to start w 300 grit paper, and maybe end with 500.

Am I being lazy?

[Ncdan]

uploadphotos
The problem with buffing to a nice Crome like finish is simple. It looks nice until the first ride in the rain, especially in a coastal area or where salt water is on the roads, your nice shiny finish will be ruined with spots that will not just rub or wash off. That�s why a good marine grade clear coat must be added and several coats is best. I have personally did this and it works for years. Secret is use the best quality lclear coat you can buy from an automotive paint store. It�s worth the time to do it.

[guzzisteve]

What?     Are you supposed to polish these bikes?

[oldbike54]

What?     Are you supposed to polish these bikes?

 No , it literally wears material away 

 Dusty

[guzzisteve]

I was real pleased when they came out w/SP, I put black Bubs on it and no polishing.

I did do the EV up 2yrs ago w/I almost made it to Bike week. It's 1st time in 11yrs.  I use SemiChrome

[Luap McKeever]

I've had good luck with 'Blue Magic' from O'Reilly's and a dremel with the polishing wheel.  Mirror shine in no time.

[Oldrat]

My Zagato cafe jobbie has lots of very shiney aluminium and to keep her in show condition I use Belgom polish.

It contains a very mild abrasive which creates the shine, but importantly for me it also contains a wax to protect that shine from oxidisation and other nasties.


http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Belgom.html

In the U.K. the authorities use salt to ‘grit’ icy and snowy roads.  Hence on my all year round bikes I’ve always used ACF 50. I’m a huge fan of this proven technology developed to protect aircraft.  You get much more out of a rattle tin if you spray it into the lid and apply it using a paint brush.

[Sasquatch Jim]

The valve covers of my '09 V7 are showing some heavy whitish corrosion, characteristic of aluminum.  I've got some other vintage bikes that show it on the engine cases too. 

I've been using paste wax, but apparently it's not sufficient to protect them.

What's out there?  Snake oil, hokum?

Hokum works good, don't knock it.  Snake oil works good to but because of animal protection laws is hard to get.