Case Cleaning

[81GS]

My side cases on my motor look terrible. What can I do to clean up the aluminum cases. They almost seem pitted I've tried aluminum wheel dressing and that did nothing. Is there something else I can try???

[Agemax]

My side cases on my motor look terrible. What can I do to clean up the aluminum cases. They almost seem pitted I've tried aluminum wheel dressing and that did nothing. Is there something else I can try???

elbow grease! depends on what sort of finish you are looking for, polished/painted/standard looking? there are so many options and so many threads on here covering all of them

[Hammered]

For on the bike applications, I like this stuff. Cleans and polishes without damaging the surrounding area.

http://www.flitz-polish.com/s.nl/it.A/id.616/.f?sc=123&category=3186

[Escobarclan]

If you want your parts too look like this:




then go here:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=136634

Hope this helps

[makenzie71]

Do you want it to be clean or shiny? There is a difference. If you're just looking for clean simply spray the bike down with simple green after each ride, wait 5 minutes, then hose her off. After a dozen rides or so she'll be grease-free.

Shiny is different, though, and will likely lead you in the direction of abrasives.

[Old Colt]

I've tried aluminum wheel dressing and that did nothing. Is there something else I can try???

Check on the wheel cleaner you use, Many are designed for painted or clearcoated wheels and do not have the acids needed to clean corrosion on the bare aluminum. Your upper case will be coated but the lower case and cylinders are a bare aluminum. You need a wheel cleaner for bare, uncoated wheels to get anything clean on the lower parts.
For over the counter cleaners I like Incredible Pink and when I can not find that I get Castrol's Purple power. I find both of these to be stronger than Simple Green.
If your cases are real stubborn to clean get yourself some Phosphoric acid.
A moderate strength will cut through the corrosion quickly. Use protection and have plenty of water around when working with strong solutions.

[81GS]

Thanks guys, After I posted this I went back and did a search. I read Esco's previous post along with some other and have a plan of action now. I should have did a search before posting though. I do have one question. Can I assume that the lower cases are clear coated at the factory requiring them to be stripped before polishing?? I do have alot of aluminum oxydation going on. thanks again. As soon as the weather warms up around here I'm going to take a day and work on it. I do have a Baldor bufferl, but I need to check on my supplies to see if I have the right stuff. Got all my buffing material from TP tools. Great site for that kind of stuff.

[Old Colt]

I missed that you were talking about the side cases.
The lower case is bare aluminum, the upper is painted.
The side cases on most were clear coated.

[Escobarclan]

Nothing can clean aluminum if it has clearcoat on it. Despite what you may see advertised.

I posted another thread on "worst case cases" here on app. mods. Check it out before you buy anything, it may save you alot of time and money.

[Old Colt]

Nothing can clean aluminum if it has clearcoat on it. Despite what you may see advertised.

Correct, in that case you are cleaning the clearcoat, if it is cleanable.
As we all know most of these cases need refinishing and that is where Escobarclan's expertise comes in.

[Escobarclan]

Materials: $4. Labor: 1 hour Result: Hot chicks