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Another stupid polishing thread. Engine fins this time.

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    Another stupid polishing thread. Engine fins this time.

    I'm polishing my engine on the bike right?..cool. I have everything to do the cases and the small crevices and all that good stuff. The only thing I'm wondering is if anyone has found a decent way to do the fins. I tried just pressing my wheel up against it and that didn't work very well. Not only will it stay steady but it just doesn't do anything. Can anyone help me? I did a search but nothing came up on this particular topic.

    #2
    Sandpaper and a file my friend. Its a bitch

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      #3
      sounds like fun, im not looking forward to doing mine either.

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        #4
        Sandblast it first....than sand with 400....600...1000....1500.

        I usually just sandblast by fins....gives it a clean look.


        Good luck!

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          #5
          A dremel or at least a decent drill with some nice fine sanding, buffing and polishing bits are also your friend. Still take a lot of time, but less elbow grease. Don't forget the Mother's Aluminum Polish when you get to the buffing stage.

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            #6
            Holy poo that doesn't sound fun. I was looking for a way to do it on the bike, but it looks like theres no way out of this nasty business. Thanks for the info.

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              #7
              I sandlblast with a cheap portable blaster and I do it directly on the bike.

              I use one like this....Its cheap and an easy way to spot clean.

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                #8
                Hi there,

                Do you have any inlet rubbers, speedo and tacho back covers for the 1979 GS1000 please

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                  #9
                  can you use baking soda in a sandblaster?

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Schweisshund View Post
                    can you use baking soda in a sandblaster?
                    with the right tip...baking soda is used quite often

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                      #11
                      I've polished case covers but never cylinders....


                      All I do is take some #0000 synthetic wool and scrub between the fins to clean up any oxidation. The wool leaves a nice satin finish, and won't leave scrub marks if you use fine enough wool.

                      After that, I'll take some fine-grit wetsanding paper and polish the edges of the fins, finishing with polishing rouge using a polishing wheel on my corded drill. Looks great - matte finished engine, polished covers and polished edges around the fins.




                      -Q!

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by QuaiChangKane View Post
                        I've polished case covers but never cylinders....


                        All I do is take some #0000 synthetic wool and scrub between the fins to clean up any oxidation. The wool leaves a nice satin finish, and won't leave scrub marks if you use fine enough wool.

                        After that, I'll take some fine-grit wetsanding paper and polish the edges of the fins, finishing with polishing rouge using a polishing wheel on my corded drill. Looks great - matte finished engine, polished covers and polished edges around the fins.




                        -Q!
                        I think I'll try this. I might try the baking soda idea too just for kicks. It sounds like it might be less painful than the steel wool idea.

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                          #13
                          Keep us posted

                          I will be doing some cleaning in the near future. \\/ Let me know how yours turns out.

                          Bob
                          Current:
                          2008 BMW R1200RT
                          Past History:1971 Honda CB350; 1972 Bonneville
                          1979 Suzuki GS550E
                          1979 Suzuki GS850G
                          1980 Suzuki GS850G
                          1983 Suzuki GS1100E
                          2006 Suzuki V-Strom DL650
                          2004 BMW R1150 RT
                          2009 Triumph Bonneville SE

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                            #14
                            I'll surely post pix when its done. Keep checking back.

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                              #15
                              I just stripped and re-painted my block and head (off the bike). Used aircraft stripper and 600 grit sandpaper. The prep for that was hard enough, I can't imagine trying to shine up the whole block with the engine in one piece and on the bike!

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