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10-17-2008, 2:56 PM Karma Joined on 04-24-2007 Salt Lake City, UT Posts 109 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Ok, thanks for the help guys. I thought this would be alot easier than it is. What if I use a dremel instead? 1980/1 CX500 Custom    Report

10-17-2008, 4:01 PM bfknova Joined on 03-15-2008 Nova Scotia Posts 528 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" I used a dremel to polish my whole CX motor and frame - and came out alright for painting - but still had to hand sand between the fins ..... as well as some other tough areas to get at ........ I'm now using the dremel on my Rx7 motor (one piece at a time) - and aye, I've got a lot of patience !!!!! Cheers, Bryan    Keep the rubber side down and alway shake a bro's hand when passing or standing still - EH !!    Report

10-17-2008, 4:34 PM Karma Joined on 04-24-2007 Salt Lake City, UT Posts 109 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Whew.......... 1980/1 CX500 Custom    Report

10-27-2008, 7:23 PM NateDawg Joined on 10-15-2008 Oshkosh WI Posts 51 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Larry, got any tips for exhaust parts? My exhaust was so rusty I took a wire wheel and dulled it all. Then painted everything with grill/ wood stove paint. I really took my time with this and in no time rust started to come through. Lightly sand off any rust, polish, and then its good to go? Any advice would be appreciated! Oh, and I would also like to say that I respect your level of maturity and professionalism :)   It's Only New Once.    Report

10-28-2008, 5:39 PM LRCXed Joined on 05-15-2008 Sacramento, California Posts 615 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Well, the only way you are going to completely remove the rust is by having the pipes glass beaded or dipping them in a rust remover or muriatic acid. A wire brush wheel will not get far enough down in the rust pits to remove it all, and most flat based paints will not hold out the moisture to prevent the rust from coming back. I would suggest having them sand blasted and sending them to a company to have them coated with a ceramic based coating, or wrap them with the heat shield tape. If they are not to badly rust pitted, you might be abe to get them rechromed too. All in all, keep your eyse open for a good replacment set to put on. Thanks for the complimants. I do my best to give you guys the help you need if I have the know how. Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. Larry If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d. http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/    Report

10-29-2008, 12:49 PM Abes_CW Joined on 04-17-2007 saskatoon Posts 530 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" nice work Larry. I am especially impressed with the hand controls. Who knew? GL controls the same?    Report

10-29-2008, 1:08 PM NateDawg Joined on 10-15-2008 Oshkosh WI Posts 51 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Ok, so the only way to heal exhaust pipes of rust is to have them re chromed? Any idea what the approximate cost is to have that done? Any recommendations?  I typed "rust repair" into Google and there are a lot of gells, sprays and whatnots. But I am sure that is for someone that will be painting over the treated metal. Muradic acid is something that I have laying around, so I can brush that on but will the rust return? If I use that exhaust wrap after removing the rust will it rust under the wrap? Thank you all for your thoughts! It may be more cost effective to replace the mufflers, but what about the 2 pipes comming out of the heads? Don't those have to be original? I see some people have gone to 2 into 1 exhausts, but is there a replacement for the stock 2 peices? Please forgive me if I sound really noobish! It's Only New Once.    Report

10-29-2008, 4:43 PM TwoW4B2C4V Joined on 11-15-2007 Posts 509 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" You may have to send them overseas to get them chromed properly. A friend who races old flathead Fords shipped a set of headers down to Uruguay to have them chromed, according to him the process/chemicals used for heat resistant chrome is illegal in the US now. If you do find a plater who'll do it, make sure and get it in writing that it will be color fast in high heat application. It has something to do with the substrate, which is usually nickel, but has to be copper alloy or some such thing to hold up to heat. This was a while ago, so there might be some new "eco friendly" process out there now. Although all the purdy chrome I see them selling for Hardley's is Made In China. Please reply if you don't get this message. 01/20/13    Report

10-30-2008, 4:28 PM NateDawg Joined on 10-15-2008 Oshkosh WI Posts 51 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" I went to a couple of stores today looking for compound and wheels. Sears really hooked me up! I got an assortment of compound bars, 4 of um for 6 bucks! They aint small either at 4.75 by 1.128. Seeing as though Sears stores are everywhere I thought I would share that. Seems like a good deal seeing as though Larry (who obviously goes through a LOT of it :) is getting them for 6 bucks a bar. Something to check out!!! I cant wait to start polishing!! The addiction has begun and I haven't hardly begun. Oh dear.... It's Only New Once.    Report

10-31-2008, 3:42 PM LRCXed Joined on 05-15-2008 Sacramento, California Posts 615 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Sorry for the late reply, been having PC issues since trying to do the service pack 3 update. Abes-CW, yes, the GL controls could be polished too. They are a bit fussy to get the screws out of the inside parts, but a good phillips screw driver on a hand impact driver works very well. NateDawg; No matter how you cover up the derusted metal, it's going to rust again unless it's re chromed or ceramic coated. I have used the high heat paint by DupliColor though. It has a ceramic in it that coats the part longer than most other heat paints I have used. If you use in on the header pipes, after you start it up and get it hot, it bakes the ceramic onto the metal and peals the rest of it away. I think it might work better if you could bake it in an oven to heat it up evenly though. You could give it a try. I have just recently used the product called Evaporust. It works really well in about a day to 24 hours, but it cost me $9.00 for a small bottle of it, and it would take quit a bit to soak an exhaust pipe in. But it works well. The polishing bars I get from the local polishing shop for $6.00 are 2" X 2" X 10". It last me a long time, but I have bought some of the smaller ones if I run out on a weekend. Enjoy the adiction! TwoW is right about the plating process needing to be done right to keep the chrome from blueing with the heat. I had no idea the EPA got into their products too. They just don't want the USA to produce quality products any more I guess. And they wonder why we are going under! If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d. http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/    Report

11-01-2008, 3:04 PM CXMike Joined on 01-10-2008 Ireland Posts 18 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" Well after reading the original post, I just had to get more serious about my polishing. Im working on my vfr800 at the moment and managed to be in the right place at the right time when my brother was cleaning his garage. I ended up with a piloshing machine and mops and some compound. The pic shows the rear wheel of the vfr. The unpolished bits will be sprayed black.    Report

11-01-2008, 4:33 PM blockhauler Joined on 09-21-2008 Posts 8 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" All I can say is---WAY TOO COOL---other than that, I,m speechless.Fantastic job...    Report

11-01-2008, 5:35 PM LRCXed Joined on 05-15-2008 Sacramento, California Posts 615 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" CX Mike, That's a great job and a nice outcome. I'm glad that the time I spent on the post has helped you get a good finish and understanding for polishing. Get ready for the addiction, it's going to get you now! Larry If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d. http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/    Report

11-04-2008, 2:12 PM tech0821 Joined on 11-02-2008 Holly Rigde NC Posts 19 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" wow, this will be something i definietly incorperate into my build.  my engine is all black and dingy. i like the aluminum and polished look much better. any tips on prepping the block when i rebuild?  bead blasting probably?  gonna polish most of the covers tho. think the previous owner went crazy with a can of spraybomb. i can fix anything... with the right tools and books 02 CBR 954 w/54k FAST miles 83 CX650C    Report

11-04-2008, 9:08 PM LRCXed Joined on 05-15-2008 Sacramento, California Posts 615 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" DO NOT GLASS BEAD THE MOTOR. The glass beads can get inside and cause major damage to the bearings, pistons and valve train. Start out with a good quality paint stripper to remove the paint. Believe it or not, my engine is done that way, and then sprayed with Duplicolor engine enamel and a coat of clear of the same brand. Scrubbing the engine with a little elbow grease will do more than glass beading or sand blasting, and will ensure a safe result. If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d. http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/    Report

11-05-2008, 4:17 PM tech0821 Joined on 11-02-2008 Holly Rigde NC Posts 19 Re: " HOW TO POLISH ALUMINUM" thanks for the info.. block will be competely empty when this is done. im goin in and making sure everything is ok.. just found out the previous owner said the mileage of 17k is probably wrong. appreciate the knowledge. thanks i can fix anything... with the right tools and books 02 CBR 954 w/54k FAST miles 83 CX650C    Report

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