Tips on Cleaning Oil from Anodized Parts

[pat327]

Hello,

I had the outer fork tubes from my motocross bike anodized gold recently. They are an older type, so they are composed of two separate aluminum pieces (the main tube and a ring that holds the oil seal in place).

Anyway, it appears that oil is somehow seeping up through these rings and staining the main tubes. I used a little bit of transmission oil to lubricate the seals and make them easier to install, so I think that whatever is left of that continues to find its way up my forks.

I clean them regularly and I'm able to remove the oil from the main tubes every time. However, when I check them the next day, the oil has seeped back up. So, no matter what I do, I cannot keep these forks clean.

I've tried to break the oil down by spraying hot water and simple green into the gap between the main tube and the ring, but that hasn't gotten me anywhere. I've scrubbed with a toothbrush and soap, but that hasn't done the trick either.

Can anyone recommend something to clean them with that will break down the source of this oil, but won't damage the anodizing?

Here's a picture. That discoloration you see near the ring is the oil (or whatever it is). It looks more dramatic in person. I really doubt that the fork seals are broken as there is nothing seeping down onto the hard-chromed lower forks. It's a really odd situation and very frustrating to a crazy perfectionist like myself.



I've noticed that this anodized coating is highly sensitive to stains. Even touching the forks will leave a stain that requires soap and water to remove. Is this normal?

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Patrick

[gcdrummer02]

do the parts feel sticky or tacky to the touch?

[Countryboy1966]

do the parts feel sticky or tacky to the touch?

Sorry for the hijack,
I have had parts annodized for me that felt stick or tacky to the touch. What does this mean?

[pat327]

No, they don't feel sticky at all. It doesn't even feel oily, it just looks that way.

[gcdrummer02]

if it feels sticky to the touch, it means it didn't seal properly, and its usually capillary action, grabbing onto your skin oils.


Take a little bit of 3 in 1, or WD40, and wipe down the forks. See if you still leave finger prints then, and if you do, they should just wipe away.

[pat327]

Thanks for your help. I sprayed some Maxima SC1 on them and it made them a really nice, glossy, uniform gold color.

[maahi]

Nice and useful tips.Thanks for sharing.