Aluminum frame resto?

[marrobham]

Has anyone restored a laminated/lacquered aluminium frame before?

I read on this board that the best way to get rid of pitting/oxidation is to remove the lacquer then polish down and re-lacquer.

Are there any aluminium specialists or metal polishers in the lower North Island that could do this or some other process?

I'm rebuilding a Jap-spec Yamaha RZV500R, and want to get the frame and swing arm looking good.

[bucket boy]

just look up metal polisher the same process wat ever it is to repolish whole frame and swing arm it takes a lot of time if you leave it just of the buff it blings more but it wont last so u want to clear it unless you dont mind hand polishing it all the time

[F5 Dave]

try reading up here

Then I guess you get it lacquered, but will have to ask painter.

Presumably you have frequented the RZ boards? Good info & new cranks etc for sale
rzrd500.com

[marrobham]

Took frame into sand blaster who found that it was painted alumninum, not clear over natural aluminium as I had read somewhere on the 'net.

Ended up getting it blasted on low pressure with very fine medium, and took it to painter who's going to 2 pac it and then clear over the top.

So turns out it's an aluminium frame with a "make believe" polished aluminum finish. And that's how the Jap-spec RZV came from the factory apparently.

Thanks for your help, and yes, the RZ500 website is quite good but lots of Americans over-rate (or at least overprice) these bikes and bit for them!

Cheers,