newbie in polishing aluminum - Plating Powder Coating Buffing Anodizing

edge4you · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 02:42 PM

I have some aluminum parts on my bike I want to polish, the handle bar control covers, master cylinder and brake levers. The control covers have some clear coat on them some of the clear has worn off hence why they need polishing. I am going to by Caswell aluminum polishing kit. Questions are: do I need to by stripper to get rest of clear coat off or use the compounds that come with the kit I have read the forums and not really sure witch way to go. 2nd do I need to re clear coat when done or use another type sealer and finally if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated

Edge4you

alabama_lowlife · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 03:59 PM

you should get some aircraft stripper to strip off the clear coat unless it is anodized, in which case you'll need some easy-off oven cleaner to strip. in order to keep a maintenance free shine, you can reclear or use zoopseal. caswell sells a clear coat that is safe for high temp applications.

edge4you · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 04:13 PM

thanks for the info
now does the easy-off strip the clear-coat or the anodize

alabama_lowlife · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 06:41 PM

easy-off is for the anodized, acft. stripper is for clear coat.

pickleboy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2006, 11:02 PM

lowlife gave great advice on this. i will add that if the clear looks like a paint and is flakey at the edges then the stripper. if it feels like its gritty or chalky then its ano.

boston_jake01 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 11:32 AM

how can you tell what is cear coat and what is anodized.
also I am thinking of polishing the jugs (cylinders) of my harley what and how would you recommend.
Thanks

pickleboy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boston_jake01

how can you tell what is cear coat and what is anodized.
also I am thinking of polishing the jugs (cylinders) of my harley what and how would you recommend.
Thanks

i can say from my own harley there is almost nothing that is ano. it is all powder or clear coat.
as for the polish work on jugs be prepared to spend lots of time on them. caswells sells some very thin buffs that can be used on a die grinder that should be able to get between the cylinder fins. that along with lots of sanding and you can get a nice shiney engine.

boston_jake01 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2006, 05:55 PM

thanks for the help I guess I got alot of work ahead of me.

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