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cleaning up aluminum
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Posted by: Jonesy

I rode in the snow a lot this winter and when i tore down my quad last week i noticed that the salt had oxidized the aluminum on my bumpers, skids, scoops, and such. Is there anyway to buff this out?

also what is the best way to clean up the baked on dirt on the engine cases, and head pipe.

Thanks
Jonesy

Posted by: 300ex73

I use Turtle Wax polishing compound. It comes in a little white tub, with a green label. It has always worked very well for me. The only thing is, it takes a little bit of pressure and a lot of rubbing and buffing, but it does produce an excellent shine.

Posted by: Lolli2

You might want to try a fine steel wool to start with. Unless there's actually parts that are eaten away like. Then try a fine sandpaper. You can use some aluminum polish after that and buff out the aluminum and steel pieces. Might want to start with a firm buffing wheel. You'll have to go over it and over it. Then go to a softer wheel. You can use a dremel in the little areas. We've polished quite a few things. They come out great! We use the Alba's aluminum polish, but I've recently heard that Blue Magic works great too and you can get that from Auto Zone or Walmart.

300ex73-think I'll try that Turtle Wax stuff out and see how it does.

Posted by: 300extreme#8

i use mothers polish

Posted by: JR3

3000extreme i have a air compressor and a buffering wheel so can i put the mothers on like that and then wipe with a towle or do i have to apply with a towle like they say then wipe with one i figure itd be a lot easier and a nicer finish with a buffer

Posted by: 300extreme#8

i don't have a buffing wheel but my girlfriends dad does alot of polishing but i've never seen him do it,but it shouldn't hurt but,if u do put if on teh wheel,u'll have to replace more wheeler or figure a way to clean them off,b/c they will turn black quick and won't work as good,but yes it shouldn't hurt,nothin hurts to try it,apply mother on the buffer ,then do the rim of and tire,let it set,then wipe it off,or get anotehr wheel and use teh buffer to get it off,not sure how he does it,but his work is great, i use never dull pads and dip then into mothers and hand buff it,then wait and wipe it off,always works for me,u can get both at walmart or auto zone and places like that,http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid155/p2c27679f1917deaed445525caf783489/f56addd6.jpg almost so shiny that the pic phone can't get it's brintness,i polished the nerfs and bumper

Posted by: 300extreme#8

heres a pic of teh day i went ridin,u can tell alil better how shiny it is,sorry but i only got pics my friends took from my phone,so u dont' get the full effect,u can see my stock front rims now,http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p81941d7c382cfb67fad0e2f33294eb17/f5507744.jpg i was lazy and din't polish the beadlocks

Posted by: mike02ex

a product called neverdull works the best

Posted by: thomps6s

Mothers works unbeleivably. I wouldn't use anything else.

Posted by: MX174

quote:
Originally posted by mike02ex
a product called neverdull works the best

yup i used to use that alot on my 440

Posted by: team_450_88

quote:
Originally posted by 300extreme#8
heres a pic of teh day i went ridin,u can tell alil better how shiny it is,sorry but i only got pics my friends took from my phone,so u dont' get the full effect,u can see my stock front rims now,http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p81941d7c382cfb67fad0e2f33294eb17/f5507744.jpg i was lazy and din't polish the beadlocks

Posted by: }{0/\/[)A400ex

Have you done much engine work to your 450

Posted by: JR3

Ive been polishing for awhile now ( i specialize in polishing stuff like bumpers levers throttle covers etc.) my favorite aluminum polish is mothers i go from 1000 grit all the way to 2500 heres a pic of my bumper its not that great of a pic o and i took my number plate out of the screen thats why the screen is not polished cause my plates usually there http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/250ex3/100_0484.jpg

Posted by: Mxjunkie

mothers will clean it up

Posted by: }{0/\/[)A400ex

That looks awesome dude....Youve done a good job,
i will have to do that...