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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through December 24, 2003 » Question(s) for Misato « Previous Next »

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Evil_twin
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 08:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Could you give me some tips, tricks, tool recommendations for Polishing?

I have never personally done it, but I am aware that it does take quite a bit of time and patience along with a good mixture of elbow grease. But, that is about the extent of my knowledge.

You think you could help me out?
I would appreciate it.

Rich
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Hardluckxb
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 08:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am interested in this topic also.

Anyone with info, please chime in.
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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Here it is, quick and dirty...

Remove the finish with sandpaper. On my XB frame, I used the highest grit(LEAST abrasive) flapdisk I could find on my handheld grinder. A flapdisk is not a flapwheel, it's a disk with little squares attached to its face. You could use a drill for this, but it is slower. You must wear a mask because of all the aluminum and everything else flying around in the dust. All you do at this point is remove the finish, NOT scratch the aluminum anymore than necessary. If the part doesn't have a finish on it, skip this part. With a power tool, it'll really take a surgeon's touch to not ruin the aluminum underneath. Can I say that again?

Next, start with 100 grit sandpaper and remove all the scratches and gouges from the last step by hand until it's a uniform surface. If you skipped the last step, just sand it until it looks the same everywhere, plain aluminum.

Next, repeat the last step many, many, many times using progressively finer and finer grits, changing at 600 grit to wet sanding with wet sandpaper until you finish with wet sanding 1500 grit.

Finally, use a power tool with a polishing wheel. I used the handheld grinder and a wheel meant for a bench grinder, and the polishing compounds found in the same aisle as the wheels, in 3 different grades. Finally, you must obsessively rub the thing with something good like Mother's aluminum/chrome polish by hand, and you'll be there.

It's a HUGE amount of work, HUGE!

But it's worth it.

See?...

like this
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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 09:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

and this
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Misato
Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 11:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I used aircraft stripper, so you start out with less scratches. otherwise 180g and DA works good (to get the powder coat off)
On some parts I had to go down to 40g to get the casting crap out(the bare alum. was ruff). Then just keep working up, 180,220,320, 500 wet 800 wet, 1000,1200 and 1500.I bought 6" DA paper in 600 800 and 1000. Eastwood sells kits with compound (jewelers rouge) and polish.
I used a car buffer after I got it sanded to 1500 , air tools make it WAY better. saves your elbow. once you start polishing you can see the scratches you missed and you have to go back over it with some sand paper and polish again, and repeat. some parts I used a dremel and polish attachments.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 05:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So, most of the supplies that I made need, I can get a hold of locally. Eastwood sells the polishing and jewelers rouge.

Let me get this straight.

Strip the paint, progressively work to finer and finer papers, polish and repeat. (J/K)

Sound like I got it?

I want to thank both of you for your input. You both have great looking bikes, by the way.

Take care.
Rich
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Misato
Posted on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

yup, thats about it.
as soon as I get it back from the dealer(waiting for the force replacement pipe) I'm going to do the frame and put my polished swingarm on..

and thanks!
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