Cleaning up aluminium forks

[Mike.Gayner]

I had a crack at cleaning up the forks on my bike today. It's been an ongoing cosmetic issue that I had relegated to the too-hard basket, but was motivated to tackle it today. This is the result of a bit of time and elbow grease using a light polish and 3M green scotchbrite pads (the ordinary kitchen kind). Still some work to do on the details, but I'm happy with it. The best thing is that it's easy to maintain the brushed look with a couple of final passes in one direction with the scotch pads.

http://imgur.com/MGQGIcK.jpg

[Rhys]

looks good

[AllanB]

Heaps better. You would have removed the clear factory coating so you will need to keep a layer of wax or WD40 or similar on them regularly or they will oxidize. If spraying WD40 or silicone about keep it off the brakes!!!!!!

[98tls]

Heaps better. You would have removed the clear factory coating so you will need to keep a layer of wax or WD40 or similar on them regularly or they will oxidize. If spraying WD40 or silicone about keep it off the brakes!!!!!!

Could you not clear coat them again?

[Mike.Gayner]

Yeah I've been thinking about what I'll do to keep them nice. I considered clearcoat, but for now I'll just see how they go - if it's just a matter of touching them up every few weeks I wont bother. If they look like shit in a few days I'll redo them and reconsider. Might even just try keeping them waxed, if I can be buggered.

[skippa1]

Yeah I've been thinking about what I'll do to keep them nice. I considered clearcoat, but for now I'll just see how they go - if it's just a matter of touching them up every few weeks I wont bother. If they look like shit in a few days I'll redo them and reconsider. Might even just try keeping them waxed, if I can be buggered.

There is a clear polish they sell at Repco called ICE, it's hell of an expensive, $40-50, but lasts for ages(a year or so). It will keep them looking sweet.

[AllanB]

I' polished the crap out of fork legs and engine cases on a Kawa years back - upkeep was continued use of Autosol alloy polish - worked well. Wax on your brushed look will help as would a rub with a rag sprayed in WD40.

[Mike.Gayner]

I definitely couldn't be bothered with going for a polished look, though it can look great. My A7 forks are chrome and look fantastic, but chrome is easy to upkeep.

[ducatilover]

Yeah I've been thinking about what I'll do to keep them nice. I considered clearcoat, but for now I'll just see how they go - if it's just a matter of touching them up every few weeks I wont bother. If they look like shit in a few days I'll redo them and reconsider. Might even just try keeping them waxed, if I can be buggered.

they'll last a while but the main issue is roadshit staining and pitting the crap alloy, so it is worth using a decent clear on them and you'll keep the finish for years to come

[Madness]

There is a clear polish they sell at Repco called ICE, it's hell of an expensive, $40-50, but lasts for ages(a year or so). It will keep them looking sweet.

There's another product called Shark-Hide that's the ducks nuts, sells for $60 US or $120 Kiwi pesos. They reckon it's good for 10 years between applications.

[skippa1]

There's another product called Shark-Hide that's the ducks nuts, sells for $60 US or $120 Kiwi pesos. They reckon it's good for 10 years between applications.

Makes my "ICE" look like cheap shit.....I wonder if whale blubber would do the same? Might get Riebz to shoot me one with his rubber band gun

[george formby]

Makes my "ICE" look like cheap shit.....I wonder if whale blubber would do the same? Might get Riebz to shoot me one with his rubber band gun

That made me chortle. And gave me inspiration. Shark oil. Used it for years to keep sea water off me perishable bits to great effect. Worth a thought. Sticky as s%&t from an aerosol but in liquid form could give a light coating.

Off topic-ish. I stopped varnishing wood years ago & started oiling it. It's permanently maintainable. I feel the same way about alloy & aluminum. Clean it, protect it & give it some tlc now & again.

[willytheekid]

Ive got a shed load of polished alloy on the VFR. (I don't know if thats a good thing or not some days)

But Ive been trying out Mothers mag wheel polish

....its pritty much like autosol, but not "quite" so abrasive, and it contains a wax/polish, so it also seals as it polishes....pritty happy with the results thus far.

I also use ICE, good stuff!

easy as to put on and polish off to a nice shine (has that nice "wet" look)...but Ive been using it in conjunction with turtle wax car wash(the ol bucket of bubbles), followed by a coat of standard turtle wax(just the cheap tub of green stuff)-

... then sealing it with ICE...the results are just amazing!! (And much longer lasting than just using ICE...as it tends to wear off rather fast in poor weather)

...I love spending a day relaxing with a drink and giving the bike a good service, bubble bath and polish up (My arms dont!)...speaking of which...if anyone can recommend a good polish head kit for a drill, or even a wee dremmel polish kit "thingy"(U know wot I mean), my arms would love you!


TO SHINY!