| Author | Message | ||
     Serialk |
my frame is sand blasted. I sanded a portion with 220 and it looks great! any one ever polished a tuber frame and shot clear over it to seal?? Got a qoute from the plater for nickel plating the frame. Not unreasonable but that money could go towards other things. anyone ever done this to a frame? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Rocket, or Rocketman had his nickel plated, he liked the idea better as it would develop a patina. I have not seen a polished frame, perhaps others here have? The tail section on X1's got a clear powder coat, maybe do that for the durability. | ||
| Foximus |
Well you have two things to address. The frame is cromo. Though this has higher resistance to rust than mild steel... it will still rust. The more you polish it, the more you reduce the actual surface area to react and oxidize. If you actually get a nice polish everywhere and keep the frame in a nice coating of silicone spray (or some other oil based protectant) then you might actually get away with a rust free product for a while. Or you could do a clear powdercoat over the polish. This will remove the "look" of a polished frame. You could get the frame "blued" like a rifle. This is a fairly weather proof thing. I dont know if there are many places that have a large vat for blueing.... Most are smaller to my knowlege. Lastly... yes nickle plating, or even ceramic coated.... The x1 tail was cast aluminum. As I repaired a tail once, I seem to remember that it wasn't even a brushed aluminum but a faux paint job... | ||
| Tombo |
I helped the founder of ATC strip his S1 "Suzie Q" to its frame so he could have it nickel plated, which was the easy part. I wasn't around the day he put it all back together (the harder part to be sure), add stripping the paint and polishing on top of that, as you have done, and I know I would want the finish to last a long time. The Nickel is long lasting and Suzie Q looked great when it was done. Clear coating can work but it will likely chip or peel easily since you will not have a primer on it. Clear powder coating should be a durable option as well, but I don't know how the powder coat will effect the polish look. The bike used in the movie Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man was clear coated steel, but it was not polished and they did not have to be concerned about it holding up very long. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I SAW "Suzie Q" It was very perfect in every way. That guy used to be service manager of Sheldons H-D in Auburn. Here is a pic from waaaay back when we were starting NEBO:  Took it with a camera that stored the pics on FLOPPIES lol! Anyways, real nice guy. I think he went on to a BMW dealership. | ||
| Serialk |
thanks for the input. My tail section and swing arm are already polished. I have a few ideas but need to do more research to see what the best option is. and the best product to seal. I'm looking into industrial clear coats. something that will stick and is thick. I just need to test spray some polished chromoly steel to see what has the best finish. and sticks. Any ideas are appreciated. I know over time it will oxidize a bit here and there, I'm okay with that. | ||
| S1owner |
Clear powder coating is great acept not chemical resistant! Got brake fluid on my swing arm and it looks like paint runs know! | ||
| Tombo |
Nate, nice picture. The last time I saw him was at the Museum of Transportation for a Buell lecture. Always willing to help you out, unfortunately he sold his Buells, including Suzie Q. | ||
| Hootowl |
The tail section is powder coated. I don't believe it was intended to look like brushed aluminum. | ||
| Oldog |
a CAUTION ON CLEAR PC Frames flex I spent a wad on having my PM wheels Clear PC when the wheels flexed the stuff cracked, filliform corosion is the result.. in the case of CrMo Steel, you may be unhappy, the OE PC is opaque ... YMMV | ||
| Steveford |
Nickle plating would be your best option - buff it with WD40 or similar to keep it from rusting. I ran a powder coating shop years ago and you won't be happy with the results. To get the powder to adhere properly you need to use a hot iron phosphate immersion/rinse which will make it look like crap. | ||
| Red93stang |
It's been done, chrome or nickel anyway. I can't remember whos bike this is but I saved a pic of it cause I liked it so much.  |
