My first attempt at polishing

[chris200x]

Well since I'm rebuilding the carb I thought to myself why not clean it up a bit? There is a before picture and where I'm at now. I started with a little wire wheel on the dremel tool then moved to a scotch brite pad. About 3 hours worth of work here. what do I need to to to get it like a mirror?

[Orangecnty250r]

Ive never done anything with that many obstacles ( I've done forks, swingarms, resevoir bottles, and brackets) All I can say is keep sanding and increasing to finer paper in increments until your fingers cramp up and feel like they'll never work again. The next day when they feel better its time to make them hurt again. At certain intervals use some polish to see how it shines up- if your not happy go at it again. Its not rocket science just very labor intensive. My swingarm took days. All depends on how far you want to go with it but you said "Mirror"

Also use Wizards aluminum polish in the tin can (its pink insulation looking type stuff) after the first time I used this stuff I threw the Mothers brand aluminum polish in the trash. Good luck and post some pics when your done

[chris200x]

Ya, it's very hard getting into all the little corners and crevices. real pain in the butt if you know what I mean. lol. Gonna have back at it a little later... Gotta give the fingers a break.

I didn't use any sandpaper yet? I was thinking a couple more rounds maybe with the scotch brite pad then move to steel wool.

[kilabeez0]

Do you have any idea what the upkeep on polished parts are? and a carb for that matter? i did the same thing, basically hit it with a wire wheel and shined it up real nice. i dont think you want to go any farther, otherwise you'll be pulling the carb off after every ride to polish every nook and cranny.

[Huffa]

Do you have any idea what the upkeep on polished parts are? and a carb for that matter? i did the same thing, basically hit it with a wire wheel and shined it up real nice. i dont think you want to go any farther, otherwise you'll be pulling the carb off after every ride to polish every nook and cranny.

He's right. Polished parts like that get dull in no time, so don't go nuts on it.

I do mine too but only spend 10-15 minutes on it and thats it.

Looks really good though Chris!! :beer

[MTS]

you can cheat and clear coat it with some spray on clear coat....takes a little of the shine away not much tho and it helps not as much polishing lol

[88 Turbo Coupe]

If you have a bench grinder get a buffing wheel and the different grit polishes. It takes no time once you get the hang of it. Buy a spray can of clear to keep that shine.

[BigRedRunner]

Good start, a little bit more and they can really shine. I used a flap wheel on the dremel for the really bad, tight areas, than 220 sand paper on a DA sander for the easier to reach places. Then use the same 220 grit by hand on those tight areas I had to use the flap wheel on. Then its on to 320-400-600 by hand. I finish it by using this (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00902896000&bidsite=CRAFT) use in conjunction with this (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00964941000&bidsite=CRAFT) . I would reccomend getting tight areas buffed with the dremel with the above rouges before using the big buffing wheel for a more uniform look. Finish some mother's aluminum/mag polish and you'll be shinnin'. :cool:
I know nothing on the subject and ended up with whats in the pic.

[sblt500r]

after you sand it with the fine paper it will polish up real fast with the buffing wheel. and for getting in the tight spots you can buy little buffing wheels for the dremel that will fit.

[Huffa]

I clear coated my clutch cover on my CRF after I polished it one time and it still seemed to get dull.

Maybe it was cheap clear coat :wondering I really don't know?

BRR that cylinder -head came out really nice! :beer

What happens when it heats up though, effect it at all?

[chris200x]

He's right. Polished parts like that get dull in no time, so don't go nuts on it.

I do mine too but only spend 10-15 minutes on it and thats it.

Looks really good though Chris!! :beer


Geez I think your right. I just thought I'd add some more bling. :cool:

[chris200x]

What about the rear axle. I think I read somewhere on here about putting your trike up on blocks and running it while sanding. I guess that wouldn't be worth polishing either.

[vartiak15]

just get the rear axle powder coated. i didnt get mine done i just used some rim paint and it looks sweet. get it done in a kinda metalic silver. it should only be like 30-40 bucks.

[sblt500r]

What about the rear axle. I think I read somewhere on here about putting your trike up on blocks and running it while sanding. I guess that wouldn't be worth polishing either.

if you polish your axle it will rust up and turn a nice redish brown color. unless you have an aluminum axle!!

[chris200x]

Hmm,,, maybe my polishing days are over. lol