Polishing

[CBShannon]

Trying to polish up carbs and valve covers etc. They have that clearcoat stuff on them. Anyone know a quick way to get this stuff off?

[mikey440]

 i used very fine wet and dry sandpaper, 400 & 600 grit wet, then i went to a dremel tool with polishing attatchment and fine polishing compound, turns aluminum into chrome, good luck, alot of work...mike

[oz750]

Simple , just use paint stripper , then get advise on  what cutting wax to use with your bench grinder equiped with several interchangable buffing heads , you may have to wet and dry sand them first , if they are bad .

[CBShannon]

Appreciate the info. I had heard someone say something about and acid dip that would strip them in one shot. Thought I'd shout out here to see if anyone knew anything about it. Thanks again.

[oz750]

HI CBShannon , The coating on the parts is just clear lacquer , in other words just paint . I have polished many fork legs and tappet covers and alternator covers etc , using paint stripper as a starting point , works perfectly and is quick and easy to do . Take you ages to rub it off with sand paper , although you may have to use very fine wet and dry after you strip it . The marks you see on your fork legs are from mainly 2 things ---stone impacts and beleive it or not the paint degrades over time from insect impacts spreading the contents of their digestive tract [ re acid ] and this causes the paint to degrade , the stones chip the clear and water etc gets under the paint and the aluminium corrodes , simple . Always take the part off the bike and use the stripper in a safe area , hope this helps , PS use a dremmel if you choose but the grinder [ at least 6 inch ] with the buffer heads is the way to go , OZ750

[CBShannon]

Thanks, so far this web-site is proving to be invaluable. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate any information. I promise your time and thought are not going to waste. Also wandering, would you suggest applying a new clear coat when polishing is finished or just leave it be? Thanks again.

[oz750]

I personally just leave it , , you would have to discuss it with a painter as these covers get bloody hot , cheers Martin

[Re-run]

A VHT style (Very High Temp) paint would do the job fine, especially on the valve cover.