Polishing experts

[wally]

The first issue is to find somebody locally who either knows what you are talking about or doesn't over charge.

Secondly, for the cost of that exercise I'd get it polished with these guys.

They charged me about ZAR 350 per rim (around US$80) to strip and polish it a few years ago. Bargain!

So I can't see it being expensive to polish this part up. Only hot soapy water and soft sponge and it'll stay clean.

[wally]

Wait for it...wait for it...







tadaaaaaaa!!!!


Got the rear brake polished for free, as they were doing the rim. Rims is in the back of the car and didn't feel like carrying it into the office. Looks cool! Have to give it a good rinse, then repaint over the weekend - again!

[2BRacing]

Wow, that is some shine! Almost a pity to put it on your bike, I would be tempted to hang it in the bathroom as a mirror!

Are you having the 450's wheels polished like your Bandit's were? If so, that is going to look great with the black/orange colour scheme.

I will have to take my clutch/stator covers to those guys.

[wally]

Nope, just had the faces of the spokes and the lips polished.

I thought my home-made attempts were good, but it looks soooo much better! They charged about R300/wheel to do the spokes and lip.

But well worth it! I also said I didn't need the cover to be show quality finish, so I suppose they could have even gone better. Owner is also a keen biker.

His GSXR was standing in the reception area.

[wally]

Close-up of the wheels.




Still dirty form the polishing compound, but that is my fault as they rushed for me to get it done, as I was going to be in the area the morning.

Bit of hot soapy water and it will be as good as new!

[madjack57754]

Wooden dowel chucked into a drill will get down into tight spots. You can rework the end so that you get all the way into the corners. Use a fine grit automotive valve lapping compound on the end.
I've chucked dowels into a drill press and used lapping compound to get an engine turned look to small aluminum pieces.

[wally]

cool! will try that out next time - I am just lazy I guess - always looking for an easy solution .

[2BRacing]

Close-up of the wheels.




Still dirty form the polishing compound, but that is my fault as they rushed for me to get it done, as I was going to be in the area the morning.

Bit of hot soapy water and it will be as good as new!

Excellent results! Those guys sure know how to get a shiny finish. It must take ages to do a rim like that - I know how long it has taken me just to clean up those outer (unpainted) sections with metal polish, and I did not even do the spokes!

I don't think I have the patience, I'd rather be riding or doing mechanical work!

[BigD_83]

Wait for it...wait for it...







tadaaaaaaa!!!!


Got the rear brake polished for free, as they were doing the rim. Rims is in the back of the car and didn't feel like carrying it into the office. Looks cool! Have to give it a good rinse, then repaint over the weekend - again!

I'm not a big fan of high gloss polish on old bikes, but this is making me rethink my position. The trouble is, once I start, I'm going to have to do everything or it it will just highlight how lazy I really am.

Can't wait to see pictures of your whole bike...

[7981GS]

Close-up of the wheels.

Absolutely STUNNING results!
Way beyond beautiful!!!!

Eric

[wally]

Thanx! The intention was certainly not to go that route, but somehow you end up getting suckered into going further than planned! I just wanted to freshen up the bike. Ended up with respray, seat redone, new graphics, wheels redone...

[Chromedome]

Hi Wally, Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! to bad im not so close.

[wally]

Here are some promised pics of my 400 Bandit a few years ago. Same polishing place, but I had the whole rim polished, as it was badly pitted:

Before:




After:







Looked really cool, but man, what a mission to keep with all the grime you pick up from riding...

[chuck hahn]

To those that say polished never lasts without oxidation. Ive preached and preached about WIZARDS POWER SEAL. Rub it in till its almost dry and rub it off to a clean shine again and its sealed for a long time. I just refresh the sealer each spring and in 4 years my stuff has NEVER DULLED OR OXIDIZED. As for the hard to reach places..get a MOTHERS POWER CONE and chuck it in the drill or air tool. The cone makes spokes almost too easy to clean and polish.

[wally]

NEVER had any oxidation.

Simple dishwashing liquid in warm water got rid of all the grub, plus owner of the business simply uses aerosol furniture polish to brighten and protect his bike's polished parts - no abrasive creams or polishes.

Still looked that good when I sold it 3 years later and raked up about 30 000kms!