Stainless engine covers, questions

[Guest]

Hello all,

I'm working on a slow rebuild, and I've been puzzling over a way to polish up my stainless steel engine covers... I've already got the clearcoat that I intend to try ( http://www.eastwood.com/exoarmour.html ) but I'm getting irritated trying to find a way to polish the metal itself.

Tried using wire bristle attachments with a drill, tried using a dremel w/ a tiny buffing wheel, tried using a full-sized buffing wheel and the black wax stuff the guy at advance auto sold me - nothing works... What gives?

I've tried searching "how to polish stainless steel" and I keep getting appliances, countertops, other nonsense. I've got several deep scratches that I know I can't really do anything about, but other than that, the metal's in good shape. How can I bring it back to the factory mirror-polish? Is there a guide for this? Tried searching the 'appearance' forum and got a heap of results for stainless steel bolts and pipes, but didn't see anything about the side covers. I also don't know if I'm using the filters correctly.

Any pointers would be very much appreciated.
Thanks guys.

Edit: Also tried 00, 000, 0000 steel wool, tried using 1k and 2k sandpaper...

[tkent02]

I'd just like to know where you got stainless steel engine covers.

[Agemax]

stainless steel covers???? where exactly on the bike are these?

[Frank Z.]

Your covers, if stock, are made of aluminum... and you can check out many polishing methods on youtube. (search: polishing aluminum motorcycle parts)

Here's one example using a proper wheel and compounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J414tWyFDgM

For a good laugh, watch Ichiban Moto's method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aecsw9MPxBg

Good luck!

[greg78gs750]

is this for a delorean?

[Datsa Noydb]

Agree with all of the above, you have ALUMINIUM, not "stainless".

Polishing methods might involve similar work, but different compounds.

Also, the factory did NOT have a "mirror polish", it was more of a satin finish.

[Call Me Ahab]

Your covers, if stock, are made of aluminum... and you can check out many polishing methods on youtube. (search: polishing aluminum motorcycle parts)

Here's one example using a proper wheel and compounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J414tWyFDgM

For a good laugh, watch Ichiban Moto's method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aecsw9MPxBg

Good luck!

...........

So I went back to my manual looking for the part that called them 'stainless steel' and I can no longer find it. What in the hell am I thinking?

I can't believe my mistake, I've been going nuts trying to find anything on cleaning up these things - that would explain the absence of forum posts for sure!

Thanks guys! Very much appreciated, now I can sleep knowing I'm not crazy... just stupid!



EDIT: YUP! Literally one second into the video and I'm seeing it. Aluminum. Derp.

Oh god d*** thanks for the video, I'll be following Ichiban's walk through closely!

[Call Me Ahab]

Agree with all of the above, you have ALUMINIUM, not "stainless".

Polishing methods might involve similar work, but different compounds.

Also, the factory did NOT have a "mirror polish", it was more of a satin finish.

It's possible that the PO of the 850 had polished them at one point then, when I got the bike they were -beautiful- and I cannot figure out how to replicate those results... Obviously not chrome-like, but very very nice shine. There is a conspicuous lack of clearcoat on the parts however, and with age the scratches have become stained and filled with foreign material. Very hard to clean.

[greg78gs750]

don't want to speak for him, but the illustrious chuck hahn likes a product called wizard's power seal on the polished bits.

[storm 64]

don't want to speak for him, but the illustrious chuck hahn likes a product called wizard's power seal on the polished bits.

Thumbs up on that. I took Chucks advice and tried the Wizards Power Seal. It seems like a good product. You rub it on AFTER the part is polished. It's supposed to give the polished surface a protective barrier. It keeps it shiny longer.

[jsandidge]

Agreed. I used the Wizards too. It does work well.

[loud et]

Man I've rebuilt 5 sets of BS carbs, honed cylinders, re ringed, valve seals, re wired.....all that jazz.....
Polishing seems to be my weak link.
I've seen the guys who polish like chrome and I do the exact same thing but just can't get it that good. Better quality compounds and polishing wheels would probably help but regardless I have yet to have that "mind blowing" shine come out for me yet. That's ok. There's enough chrome on the average Harley to make up for all us bad polishers.haha
I'll practice again on my next project.

[Nessism]

I've been through the ringer trying different polishing techniques and have settled on the following since it's the EASIEST way to get good results.

- Remove cover from bike
- Paint stripper to remove clear coat
- 220 grit sandpaper on a small 1/4 sheet electrical DA sander. Hammer away until all the corrosion pitting is gone.
- Dremel with stainless steel brush to get the nooks and crannies.
- Use a SISAL polishing wheel on your polisher/buffer/grinder along with BLACK cutting compound. This combo will remove the sanding scratches nicely and provide a finish that's brighter than the OEM finish.

You can call it quits right there. Some guys go to a stitched wheel and white compound but it's not necessary unless you want a mirror polish finish on the parts.

[Call Me Ahab]

Wizard's Power Seal? Thank you very much - I'm looking into it now. Also, Ness... good Lord man those are beautiful, thank you for the pointers!