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Brighten aluminum engine case

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750Ksabin

Brighten aluminum engine case

What's a good product to brighten the engine on my A? Not looking to polish just clean it up and remove oxidation.

FastCletus

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

Damn let me know when you find out. My bike looked like sh*t from PO, oil everywear, and dirt mixed in. I try and clean it a little at a time, but have found nothing, but elbow grease works.

@FastCletus552 aka Jimmy C, buildin' rides out of Napa CA
Current Build 1980 CB 750 F
Finished Build 1975 CB 500T Cafe Racer - SOLD
2002 Ducati 998 Biposto
2005 Rossi #46 Scooter

shinyribs

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

Administrator

In reply to this post by 750Ksabin

These engines are painted originally. Bare aluminum will oxide so fast it will be a part time job trying to keep it clean. A nice coat of paint is probably your best best IMO.

TOOLS1

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

Administrator

In reply to this post by 750Ksabin

I use a cleaner I get from the Dollar store. It's called "Awesome" and it is as close to awesome as I have found. I spray it on the engine, and wheels every time I wash the Toolmatic, and each time it comes cleaner, and cleaner. Some of my friends are now using it when they wash their bikes, and telling me it is working on theirs also.
TOOLS

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1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
1979 CM 185 Twinstar
1982 Honda XL 80
South of Eden (Kansas City MO)

Deer Slayer

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

In reply to this post by 750Ksabin

Most heating and air conditioning supply houses sell products to clean the dirt and oxidation from aluminum radiators. I used a product called Alka-brite a few years ago to freshen up an A-coil for my house air conditioner. I can tell you that coil looked like brand new after a short soak in the cleaner and clear water rinse. It might be worth a shot to get all the oxidation off your engine cases. If you try it, let us know how it worked out for you.

1972 CB750k
1973 CB350 Twin
1975 CR125e
1969 Z50a

Ray

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

In reply to this post by 750Ksabin

at the local bike wrecking yard they use oven cleaner from the dollar store. spray in on wait twenty minutes and rinse off with water. they use it to spuce up used bikes for sale. from what I saw it works good.

Ray

Re: Brighten aluminum engine case

oh ya dont get it on the paint.