SHiNY

Shiny enough?

 

NICE!

 

What is it???
A good chrome paint job?

Very nice though.
Can you take some pics next to a good piece of chrome (we can't really see the airbox covers)

 

Easy now... You know what happens when you make one part on your bike really shiny? You end up going after every other part that can possibly be shinied up.

Shiny is the crack-cocaine of restoring an old motorcycle. You might lose sleep, and your significant others might disown you.



Just a word of caution...

 

heck with them results I could repair my 5 valve covers!! we need details man.. Oh and a little wider shot to see it next to the chrome.

 

Actually, it's black paint.

Originally, it was a flat black (standard Maxim fare, I suppose) with spots eaten into the plastic (gas or overspray from something...) I decided to sand it, wax it, wax it again, use a high quality swirl and scratch remover, waxed it again...

Lots of waxin' going on. The other side is almost as shiny. I figure 1 or 2 more coats of wax should do it.

 

Here's my tank...

 

That explains it.. even my dog left.

But I still have my bike. :twisted:

 

Shiny is an addiction for sure. So what is your wax of choice? Very nice results

 

Thanks!

Meguiar's. I tried Turtle wax, and even that iCE stuff (which is ok if you're going to a bike show) but Meguiar's gives me that "professional" wet look. Start off with a clean bike, (obviously) then apply Meguiar's Scratch X, dry, buff it out, then apply your finishing wax. Use one cloth for putting on the polish, wait for it to dry (out of the sun) and then a new clean cloth when you buff. Every time I wax, I use a clean cloth (needless to say, there is currently a cotton shortage in my area). Everything is done by hand. Easier to get all the cracks and crevices that way.

You do wax your cracks and crevices, don't you?

When you can't stop looking at your bike, you have reached waxing nirvana.

Wait... is that a flock of birds?

 

Is that the original paint on the tank and covers or has it been redone?

+1 on the Meguiar's. Excellent stuff.

 

Damn...that IS shiny!
it's a black mirror.
I must say I'm a little dissapointed though (we all need some affordable alternative chrome on plastic option)

Just a general warning to everyone: be aware of what you are wearing when you take the pics of reflective parts. I saw a bit more than I care to on an E-bay auction photo recently.

 

As far as I know they are the original side covers and the tank (I was told) is "newer".

Now, I just need to polish the engine. I've heard that aluminum shines up reel purty. Anyone know where I can pick up some Autosol?

 

Yup I love the Meguiars too. I have never tired the scratch X have to get some. I have gotten my old tank to shine dings and all..

 

Post some pics! Unless that's the ultimate in vanity...

oh, wait.

 

LOL


You can come here and get my bike that shiny! I'll pay you in beer.

 

You folks should know I'm not shy Pics in my gallery...

 

Wow. Compliments on your bike. Did you use a PC or was that all by hand? Is it like against the rules to post a link to another site here? Cause I have a great link to a detailing site I'd like to post. I think you would all like it. Nothing commercial on my part or anything, I'm just a member.

 

Links are fine.

 

Thanks for the compliment!

People post links here all the time, in pursuit of all things xj. If it makes my bike shinier, bring it on!

 

Lol! you fooled me for sure. My wife thought my X would have looked good in black but I had to be different. I don't think my bike is that shiny even with paint thats not quite a year old. But I sitll haven't wet sanded or buffed it and I ride it everyday rain or shine so I have to be in a certain mood to actually clean the heck out of it. I wipe it down every week tho.

 

Wow, that is high praise indeed. My thanks!

I know a guy in Waterdown, Canada that is working with another fellow to re-design the 5VaLVE covers so highly prized by Xer's everywhere. That is some undertaking, but I know that if he is successful, a lot of people are going to be wanting a new set, possibly a set not made of cheap plastic, chrome-ified, but of stainless steel or aluminum!

Actually, I am not sure what they are going to use, but the work-ups look promising.

 

My favorite scratch remover at the moment is called PlastX.

Dave

 

Where can you pick that stuff up? Is it better than Meguiar's?

 

OOPs I tried to send my link, must not have worked. It's www.autopia.org.

 

Shiny is great MM85m, but how are those rear brake shoes?

 

Lookin' good... no delamination as far as I can see.