Shining up a GN.

[maloney]

Since i'm outta riding action for a while still, I thought i'd shine up my pride and joy while i'm not riding her.
It's a '89 GN250, looks wise, it's not in bad nick, but there's a bit of dark rusty stuff on the engine and muffler, i'm not sure what to call it, but I was wonderin' whats the best way to shine it up all nice like, if there is one. And there are a few little holes and scratches in the paint on the fuel tank, whats the price on gettin' one of them re-sprayed?

Cheers in advance on any help.

[mattian]

depends what kind of rust you've got on the engine and muffler but, if its just surface rust you should be able to buff that out. then wash your bike frequently with a good car/bike wash. I use a slightly wax based wash, that way it helps to bead the water off so it doesn't pool anywhere. ride it around for a little after you wash it just to dry out the excess. If its deep embedded rust your screwed.....(sorry).


As for getting the fuel tank resprayed. Prices will differ over there to here. Shouldnt be a big job though. If you got rusty scratches and holes though....... your probably screwed (again sorry) and may need a new tank.

[mattian]

just making an amendment...... GO THE MIGHTY GN !!!!! wooohooo :Punk:

[maloney]

I don't think it's bad rust anywhere on the bike, so I should be right there, and the tank is just scratches, by holes I mean tiny scratches that have chipped the paint. So I don't think I'm screwed (I hope so anyway haha)
I'll look in to gettin' some wax based wash.

[mattian]

I use Armour All Wash and Wax car wash..... just as good for bikes. You just have to use it frequently as the wax finish doesnt stay on for long. Avoid washing the tyres and chain though.

[maloney]

Cheers, i'm gonna get some tomorrow, should I just was it with a shammie or what?

[howdamnhard]

WD40 is good at removing tar and oil and grease and leaves a protective layer on the engine and exhausts. The rust on the engine should be white and powdery as it is aluminium and not steel ,so may just be dirt. The exhaust can get little rust spots if not kept clean and protected. Just keep wd40/silicon/polishes off your controls,brakes, seat as they make them slippery/not safe.

[maloney]

Ah ok, I think on the engine it might just be dirt and grease and stuff build up, not rust. Thanks heaps.
So yeah, I'll give an update on how it goes tomorrow, see if i'm doin' everything rught, haha.

[mattian]

Cheers, i'm gonna get some tomorrow, should I just was it with a shammie or what?

I just use a soft brush. You can use a shammy cloth for drying it off I guess. Howdamnhard makes a good point too. WD40 is an excellent water repellent. Spray a little on your trouble spots, where rust is common and it will help to preserve the life of the metal.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Mag wheel cleaner works well on engine casings as well.

[owner]

A coat of INOX and another coat of INOX everywhere