Crud and Surface Rust

[Dick Dale]

What is the best way to clean alll the road crud off a bike, polish everything and remove small amounts of surface rust on the handlebars and other various pieces? I am going to start cleaning this sucker up and want to do it right the first time.

[renobruce]

I just finished cleaning my GS1000 project bike. I tried several cleaners and methods and found that concentrated Simple Green worked best on removing the crud. It seems to disolve grease and crud the best, and is the easiest to rinse off. Scrub it with a tooth brush and baby bottle brush. As for the rust.. if it is surface rust, start by using a chrome/aluminum cleaner/polish. If that is not abrasive enough use a fine steel wool pad, then polish. As for polishing the side covers, take them off, strip the clearcoat with aircraft stripper (available at auto paint stores), sand with 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit wet/dry paper, then polish. Use S100 engine brightner for your black stuff.... cables, trim pieces, anything black on the bike. Here's a link to my photos showing before and after pics of my clean-up job. Have patience, and it will turn out nice for you.

http://photobucket.com/albums/b182/renobruce/GS1000/

[bj]

Bruce your engine is fantastic. The cylinder head cover is especially nice. Did you use a bench buffer on it?

[renobruce]

Bruce your engine is fantastic. The cylinder head cover is especially nice. Did you use a bench buffer on it?

No, not on the cam cover. See the following thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=43377

[Dick Dale]

That is a lot more than what I want to put into it but I get the right idea. Good work.

[renobruce]

That is a lot more than what I want to put into it but I get the right idea. Good work.

Well, at a minimum, try the Simple Green. It works great. If your side covers are in good condition and the clear coating has not started to peel or corrode you should be able to make them look good with a clear coat safe paint polish.

[bj]

Bruce you've inspired me. I figure I've got about 3 months before the weather here in Baltimore becomes hospitable again. We got our first snow last night....yuk.

Just got a gallon of Simple Green, a new bench buffer from Sears and a smoothing/buffing kit from Eastwood. I hope my results turn out as good as yours.

[renobruce]

Bruce you've inspired me. I figure I've got about 3 months before the weather here in Baltimore becomes hospitable again. We got our first snow last night....yuk.

Just got a gallon of Simple Green, a new bench buffer from Sears and a smoothing/buffing kit from Eastwood. I hope my results turn out as good as yours.

Right on!! I'm sure it will turn out even better than mine. I didn't have a bench buffer... I used buffs for my drill. Yours will look great.

BTW, glad to pass on the inspiration. I was inspired by Keith Krause's bike. Have you seen it? 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O

[bj]

WOW! I just checked out Keith's bike. Unbelievable. I'll be happy to even get close to the quality he achieved. It's going to be a fun winter.