[68commando]

The case in the picture was pretty rough to start with. I used a round or flat file to get the huge gouges and holes out, then went to maybe 150 paper or so. It was some sandpaper I have around that is used to clean copper pipe before soldering and comes in a roll. It is pretty rough, but it seems to get the file marks out to a point. Then I would go to a 220 and then 320 sandpaper and finally a 600 wet and dry. I do not have any 1000 yet, but will get some. I guess maybe I am going on to the finer grades of paper before I get the file scratches out or I am not looking criticaly enough, but then I am doing it by hand until the polishing and the cases are a lot to do by hand, especially after filing. I guess I will have to get a sander with the appropriate paper and see if I can do a better job of getting the file scratches out, I'm sure that is what it is about. I have enhanced the photo to some degree and it really does not look that rough in real life. The photo is like looking at the case from maybe 3 inches. Attached is a new picture of the same area before any work on it, so the scratches are definitely from the filing. I had to file because there were big pits in the case. I'll get a sander and see if I can do a better job getting the file marks out.

It is a blue 69 Commando S and I hope to have it back together to ride next summer; I have a lot of work to do on it.

thanks,
Dave