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Sandpaper for your aluminum, It worked!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by randall68, Jul 4, 2008.

  1. randall68

    randall68 Member

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    I just painted the tank and side plates and decided to try to get the dingy aluminum shiny again. It took 2 hours (not too bad) and some elbow grease ( Now I'm low on elbow grease! :( . I started with 400 grit wetordry sandpaper. I did this wet. And went to 600 grit then 1000 grit, all wet sanded. I may even go to 1500 grit. Going to see what it looks like in the sun. But my point is that aluminum and steel will rub out by hand and in not too long if you have a method. The color I painted the bike is (Kaiser Silver. Which is svery similar to charcoal gray.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. randall68

    randall68 Member

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    Bye the way...Anyone know where some cheap badges can be had? I will put the circle tuning fork on there if I have to but wanted them on the side plates... Anyone know of some badges?
     
  3. AnnieOakley

    AnnieOakley New Member

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    Location:
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    Randall68,
    How will you seal the aluminum to keep it from oxidizing again?

    Nice looking job on it!
     
  4. 85MaximXX

    85MaximXX Member

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    Go for the 1500 the alum will look like mirror finish I did the lower half of my forks this way and my snowmobile looks sweet. Finished off with aluma kleen metal polish it has a sealer in it. You can also use auto wax when done. They really don't oxidize that fast if you give them a quick wipe once a week. Mine have been done for close to 3 months and still look great.
     
  5. ZaGhost

    ZaGhost Member

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    Sweet.... a new project.....will take beer, so no riding when done hehe :)

    btw, nice color on the pint...like it...
     
  6. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    After you do the 1500 Wet ... get a tight buffing wheel and hit all that bright-work with Jewelers Rouge's #5 -and- #6.

    Buffing the aluminum out with those two Rouges will give you a Mirror finish that looks like glass.

    Check-out some of the parts I Polished-up that are in My Gallery.
    It only takes a few minutes of buffing to get the surfaces to become a brilliantly smooth mirror finish with a buffer and the two Rouges.
     
  7. rpgoerlich

    rpgoerlich Member

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    Harbor Freight had some cheapo balls a while back which worked ok in tight places. Already had one of the Mothers powerball for the wifes rims which worked great on the forks and side covers. I used 800, 1000, 1500 and 1200 wet/dry and then some Mothers mag wheel polish on the powerball.
     
  8. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    I use to do the same thing. An easier and less time consuming way is to take the part off the bike, hit it with paint stripper, wash it off, then shine it to your liking. I prefer the 00-000 steel wool shining version. It is cheaper however a bit messier. After I got the shine I wanted, I simply clear coated it and voila!, it looks new.
     
  9. donhoe

    donhoe Member

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    as for logo's.......

    here are some before and after pictures of my brothers bike.
    I have access to a cutter at work and I drew up the logo's for him.
    I'm thinking about cutting some the right size to go over my logo's.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I thought they turned out pretty well. it was a bit of work though.
    mostly to draw the logo's.
     

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