Stainless Polishing Fork Tubes

[EricWil]

I will be polishing some stainless fork tube covers on my motorcycle and they are stainless. Currently the finish is a brushed finish and I wonder what I should start with. Stainless sounds like it is a bit harder to polish then alluminum I assume because it is a harder metal. Who has done this and how?

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by EricWil

I will be polishing some stainless fork tube covers on my motorcycle and they are stainless. Currently the finish is a brushed finish and I wonder what I should start with. Stainless sounds like it is a bit harder to polish then alluminum I assume because it is a harder metal. Who has done this and how?

I would probably start with 220 (with whatever tools you have), in my case with greasless on cotton wheels and felt bobs, and perhaps cartridge rolls on a die grinder. I've used the 8" expander wheel for sliders but it takes a huge amount of patience for me to avoid getting ripples.

Then the same routine with 320, and approximately the same with emery and white compounds. I know sisal works well with emery on stainless brake rotors. Actually I prefer working on it to aluminum. It polishes just as easily, but is more forgiving, and takes on a brighter finish. Good luck.