Polishing tips?

[Big Dave]

I suspect that you bought (purchased) rather than brought (carried) the AutoSol...

Some people (White Trash for one) warn against using this stuff on the basis that it removes chrome, thus making your metal bits more susceptible to corrosion.

Nah, not on good british chrome anyway - I have been smothering motorcycles in autosol for 30 years and never had anything but a satisfactory result.
I do prefer mothers chrome polish on the prominent plated bits anyway, but autosol is da bomb if you only want to use 1 product.

[Waylander]

You mean shoplifting?

Anyway... I understand that your bike is different to mine... but do you think it would be worth it to get my headers chromed (just to get rid of the rust) or is that just too much effort for nothing?

Chrome your headers? Not on a sport bike. You don't see all that much of them under the fairings so there would be no point to it. It doesn't affect performance (unless you have holes rusted through but then you would have other problems) or anything, just makes them look pretty.

It's also alot of work to get them re-chromed. Gonna need to get mine sandblasted first to clean them off then find someone to chrome them again.

[Big Dave]

Chrome your headers? Not on a sport bike. You don't see all that much of them under the fairings so there would be no point to it. It doesn't affect performance (unless you have holes rusted through but then you would have other problems) or anything, just makes them look pretty.

It's also alot of work to get them re-chromed. Gonna need to get mine sandblasted first to clean them off then find someone to chrome them again.

get a quote on some new ones from Custom Chambers too - I'm putting theirs (3 into 2) on the tbird next time around with some revese cone mufflers. (It's 2nd set of headers are looking decidedly shabby)

[Waylander]

get a quote on some new ones from Custom Chambers too - I'm putting theirs (3 into 2) on the tbird next time around with some revese cone mufflers. (It's 2nd set of headers are looking decidedly shabby)

Heh mate if I wanted another custom set I would just make my own. Might talk to them when I start on the Rebel though.

[scumdog]

Chrome your headers? Not on a sport bike. You don't see all that much of them under the fairings so there would be no point to it. It doesn't affect performance (unless you have holes rusted through but then you would have other problems) or anything, just makes them look pretty.

It's also alot of work to get them re-chromed. Gonna need to get mine sandblasted first to clean them off then find someone to chrome them again.

Never sandblast anything you want chromed, it pits the surface and also surface-hardens the surface for which the polisher will curse you.
Most of the chroming cost is in the pre-polishing and sandblasting will make that a LONG process!!

[Skyryder]

Anyone know of how to get rid of swirl marks. Got a few on the tank and just can not get rid of them. Have tried Mcguires Scratch X.

I have been told that the only way is to buff them out with an orbital buffer but since I have never used one have been a bit 'shy' on this.

They are very faint but in bright sunlight are noticeable.

Skyryder

[Waylander]

Never sandblast anything you want chromed, it pits the surface and also surface-hardens the surface for which the polisher will curse you.
Most of the chroming cost is in the pre-polishing and sandblasting will make that a LONG process!!

Hmm, allright then change in plans. Gonna talk to the chromers in Hamilton (don't remember the name) and see what prep work needs done then do that myself. Should make it easier on them and make the time they are off the bike shorter.

[HDTboy]

Chrome your headers? Not on a sport bike. You don't see all that much of them under the fairings so there would be no point to it. It doesn't affect performance (unless you have holes rusted through but then you would have other problems) or anything, just makes them look pretty..

Placid, you could get your headers HPC'd not a chrome finish, but it is nice, and they claim to increase power (I'd take that with a grain of salt)

It's also alot of work to get them re-chromed. Gonna need to get mine sandblasted first to clean them off then find someone to chrome them again.

Auckland Electroplaters, tell them I sent you and where I work and they might do you a deal

[Big Dave]

Anyone know of how to get rid of swirl marks. Got a few on the tank and just can not get rid of them. Have tried Mcguires Scratch X.

Skyryder

I got good results from Meguires 'Swirl Remover'. I've not seen the product in NZ, but it did a great job on the Tbird when i first got it. Worth a search.

[Hitcher]

I reckon it was the AutoSol what did in the chrome (or lack of) on the Ventura pack rack on Mrs H's former Marauder.

[Ixion]

I got good results from Meguires 'Swirl Remover'. I've not seen the product in NZ, but it did a great job on the Tbird when i first got it. Worth a search.

From the good folks at Repco. But maybe only a big branch. I bought it there.

[phaedrus]

Hey

I don't own a hog/cruiser but I have a question that you guys will proberly be best at answering seeing as most hog/crusier bikes have a lot of chrome and shiney bits.

I have a silver (not sure what kinda metal it is though) pipe and other small silver looking parts on my bike.

PF

one of the best cleaners i've found for chrome, stainless steel and anything shiney is glass cleaner.

[soundbeltfarm]

just reading a bit about a bike getting done up and they use a polish like autosol belgom Alu.
and they said that the black on the rag after using autosol and that belgom Alu is the silicon coming out of it.

[placidfemme]

Placid, you could get your headers HPC'd not a chrome finish, but it is nice, and they claim to increase power (I'd take that with a grain of salt)

HPC'd? What does that mean. I was just asking about my headers because they looks kinda rusty (not too bad though) and even though it's not a part of the bike that you see often (Unless your looking for a problem), but I was mainly asking just so I can use something to slow down the corrosion process and keep it in good condition... I could just leave them as they are because they're not a problem... but no harm in asking

[vifferman]

HPC'd? What does that mean. I was just asking about my headers because they looks kinda rusty (not too bad though) and even though it's not a part of the bike that you see often (Unless your looking for a problem), but I was mainly asking just so I can use something to slow down the corrosion process and keep it in good condition... I could just leave them as they are because they're not a problem... but no harm in asking

HPC stands for "High Performance Coating" - they clean your headers, then they are coated inside and out with a kind of ceramic paint that's heat-proof and sort of a satin finish. Because the ceramic helps the zorsts keep the heat in a little, that supposedly helps with maintaining a higher rate of gas flow. HPC is available in a range of colours, from black, silver, red, blue, and others, so if you wanted to beautify your bike, this would be a good option. The downside is that you'd have to dismantle the zorst system, and you'd need to leave it with them for a week or three, depending on their workload.