white power,/etching on aluminum.

hey im working on that bike i picked up cheap. just checked the valve clearances. good for this time.My question is this. The bike has set outside in the elements for who knows how long. I had it under a carport for a year. The bike is dirty, and the aluinum surfaces have a etched powder white on them. how is the best way to A) Clean it all. B)make it look as close to new as possible? I have a feeling i will need to invest alot of time with wet sandpaper to remove etching, and polish them. Any thoughts? 8O

 

It's probably the old nasty clear coat you are seeing.

1. Spray part (after removing from bike) with Aircraft Remover, and wipe clean to get the old clear off.

2. Start wet-sanding with 400 grit, if it doesn't remove it then go down a grit.

3. Repeat with finer grits each time until you get to the look you want.

 

Wow, is that topic heading seriously not politically correct!

 

I guess white power is a new term for elbow grease? 8O

 

Another way is to un-bolt all your suspects and take them to a sandblasting business. Get walnut media, glass bead, or soda, call around for quotes before showing up, to get a good price.
Have all your parts de-greased and dismantled.
Plan on doing your clear-coating and painting ASAP when done.

 

It could be the old clearcoat "powdering" off; or bad corrosion.

Starting with 400 wet sandpaper is usually going too coarse if the corrosion isn't bad. Once the clearcoat's been stripped off, generally you can start with 1200-wet as long as you're not dealing with serious pitting.

The key to the whole process is being sure the old clearcoat is off, because the corrosion gets under it and it's incredibly tough.

DO NOT use steel wool for anything; use Scotchbrite. It comes in various grades doesn't leave steel dust particles behind.

This bike spent four straight years outside in Michigan, with nothing but a canvas construction tarp to cover it for the winters. It was HORRIBLY corroded and gray-mottled when I rescued it; no really extravagant means were used in its resurrection. Just lots of elbow grease and patience:

 

x2 on not using steel wool - otherwise it will leave little steel particles embedded in the metal, which soon rust...... then you gotta do it all over again... which sucks. lol

 

Re: white power,or etching on aluminum.

Thanks for the input guys. I look forward to spending lots of time "elbow greasing" it..lol Nice job Bigfitz.I can only hope mine will turn out as nice.I am getting excited.I just checked valve clearance and they are in spec, but just. So im guessing maybe next time I check them I may be replacing all the pads. or at least sometime in the future.