Help to rescue fork lowers.

[pete]

You can do it Flyboy! Elbow grease and patience

I was fortunate enough my housemate has a bench grinder, so I just wheels and compound and away I went, but it sounds like Ed and Dale have you covered...

[Flyboy]

Thanks Pete, ya, I think my course of action today is going to be as follows, paint stripper, the vile stuff that looks like a bubbling witches cauldron and could easily run a jet engine, none of this namby pamby, greeny beeny, watered down bunny hugger stuff.
Followed by 600 grit on a foam sanding block, followed by 800 grit, both wet.
Finish off with 00 steel wool and finally 000 steel wool to hopefully get a nice satin finish.
I am going for niether polished nor raw aluminium, but more of a satin, in between type of thing, if you know what I mean.

Ya, Dale and Ed definately make me sit up and pay attention when they dispense thier valuable advice.........I have seen their work, I would be over the moon if Jennifer turned out only half as good as one of thier workd of art.
That said, I also value the advise of everyone who chips in with thier piece on anyone of my questions, it is greatly appriciated.

[Nessism]

No power tools touched these.

[Flyboy]

WOW....Holy kamolee, now that is exactly what I am talking about, jeeez, looks like I have my next 10 Sundays planned for me.
please Ed, you have to tell me exactly how you got that finish, well you don't have to, but I would be very greatful if you could take a few minutes to tell me what the steps were.

[pete]

No power tools touched these.

Very drool worthy Ed, nicely done indeed

I took the easy way out and painted mine

[Flyboy]

Ok, after nearly a full Sunday in the garage and only having gotten through one fork with 120 grit and just started on the 380 grit, all I can say looking at those forks is..................................Ed, you really have to get out more often man.

[mike_of_bbg]

It's projects like that which make you realize you need multiple bikes...

[Nessism]

Ok, after nearly a full Sunday in the garage and only having gotten through one fork with 120 grit and just started on the 380 grit, all I can say looking at those forks is..................................Ed, you really have to get out more often man.

Thought you said your forks don't have corrosion? There is no reason to use 120 unless the metal is pitted or damaged a fair bit, or if you are trying to remove the casting marks Suzuki didn't bother to finish (I don't mess with those unless there is corrosion). I use 220 to remove common pitting, and then move to 320, 400, 600. When you get to the 600 you need to carefully control your sanding direction to give the proper "brushed" appearance.

[Flyboy]

Hi Ed, yes, there were a couple of stone chips and scratches that were deep enough, that I wanted to remove, and yes I did also sand smooth the casting lines and little imperfections as well to give it a smooth moulded look.
Your advise is invaluble, although it is taking a while, i can already see the way it is going, and it is going to look good.
I guess I might as well put in the extra effort and do it right first time.
Although to be honest, I did eye out the cans of 'Fine silver" paint on more than one occasion...........But I overcame the temptation