Front fork refinishing

[Anonymous]

I've decided to polish up my front forks before putting them back on the bike after replacing the steering head bearings. I have polished the forks using various grades of polishing compound and a buffing wheel. They look great but I realize that most of the clear finish is now gone and I'm down to bare aluminum. Can the clear coat be replaced with anything or will I have to keep on polishing the bare metal to keep it looking good. If I spray on a clear coat, will it stay clear or eventually yellow after a few years. Can anyone recommend a clear coat product? Thanks again....

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately there seems to be no clear laquer on the market, that sticks well to aluminum; at least that's what the paint Gurus told me.
Instead, I used a professional aluminum primer, repainted the forks with aluminum paint and finished it with a two component clear coat as used on cars.
It has been sitting for over two years now, and it still looks good.

[biker66]

Don't use clear coat on the polished forks.
It will dampen the polished appearance and darken/turn yellow with age.

I've polished my USD forks and apart from regular washing of the bike I go over them with some polish two, maybe three times per summer.

The story's on my site under modifications/USD.

[MichaelHoward]

They sure do look good JoJo!! Wish mine looked that good.Want to do mine for me??

[Anonymous]

Forget lacquer, but you CAN use other clear coats, like two-part catalyzed urethanes. There is a one-component spray from Eastwood that has gotten good reviews.

I did mine with a one-component spray from PJ. It's turned just a little yellow, but not bad...after 13 years.

[Jay B]

I've polished a lot of aluminum lately and have used Dupli Colors Clear High Temp Ceramic. Hasn't yellowed nor cracked and still looks like it did when I put it on 2 years ago.