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| techtalk:ref:notes307 [2018/11/24 02:41] – hippysmack | techtalk:ref:svcproc45 [2024/01/23 01:14] (current) – hippysmack | ||
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| - | ====== REF: Shop Notes and Tips ====== | + | ====== REF: Service Procedures 45 ====== |
| ====== Polishing Aluminum and Stainless Steel ====== | ====== Polishing Aluminum and Stainless Steel ====== | ||
| See also [[https:// | See also [[https:// | ||
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| **Caution**: | **Caution**: | ||
| - | Polishing metal with a rotary wheel is a nasty job. You don't want to do it inside the house or with good clothes on. ((Graywolf of the XLFORUM | + | Polishing metal with a rotary wheel is a nasty job. You don't want to do it inside the house or with good clothes on. ((Graywolf of the XLFORUM |
| An old shop apron helps keep some of the polishing compound off of you. \\ | An old shop apron helps keep some of the polishing compound off of you. \\ | ||
| The polishing wheels pick up the compound and small specks of it will be flying everywhere with the wheels running at higher speeds. \\ | The polishing wheels pick up the compound and small specks of it will be flying everywhere with the wheels running at higher speeds. \\ | ||
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| Then polish them to a point you're happy with. \\ | Then polish them to a point you're happy with. \\ | ||
| The stainless will last indefinitely while the chrome may chip or peel after some time if it is not a professional job. \\ | The stainless will last indefinitely while the chrome may chip or peel after some time if it is not a professional job. \\ | ||
| - | If the stainless steel does get scratched up, just polish it again. ((Graywolf of the XLFORUM | + | If the stainless steel does get scratched up, just polish it again. ((Graywolf of the XLFORUM |
| The good thing about aluminum is the more you polish it, the more it shines. \\ | The good thing about aluminum is the more you polish it, the more it shines. \\ | ||
| And each time it's polished, it becomes a little more smooth. That means less places for oxidation to start. \\ | And each time it's polished, it becomes a little more smooth. That means less places for oxidation to start. \\ | ||
| - | If it's well polished the first time, you shouldn' | + | If it's well polished the first time, you shouldn' |
| Polished metal has a unique depth to it. \\ | Polished metal has a unique depth to it. \\ | ||
| However, when polishing cast parts, watch out for subsurface air pockets (also known as porosity in the casting). \\ | However, when polishing cast parts, watch out for subsurface air pockets (also known as porosity in the casting). \\ | ||
| - | If you have any weather checking / pitting rough abrasives may uncover the subsurface porosity. ((5.4L to Freedom | + | If you have any weather checking / pitting rough abrasives may uncover the subsurface porosity. ((5.4L to Freedom |
| There are hundreds of alloys of both aluminum and stainless, but all of them will oxidize at the surface. \\ | There are hundreds of alloys of both aluminum and stainless, but all of them will oxidize at the surface. \\ | ||
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| ====== Smoothing out scratches and pits ====== | ====== Smoothing out scratches and pits ====== | ||
| - | If the piece has never been polished, then you should start with a course grade of abrasive and sand through the different stages progressing to a finer and finer grade as you go. ((piniongear of the XLFORUM | + | If the piece has never been polished, then you should start with a course grade of abrasive and sand through the different stages progressing to a finer and finer grade as you go. ((piniongear of the XLFORUM |
| Turn the piece and let each successive grade of abrasive cross the previous by 90°. \\ | Turn the piece and let each successive grade of abrasive cross the previous by 90°. \\ | ||
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| When you've got a uniform dull gray, you're ready to buff the part. \\ | When you've got a uniform dull gray, you're ready to buff the part. \\ | ||
| Don't worry too much about screw recesses and other hard to reach places, they don't show in the finished job if the edges are smooth. ((https:// | Don't worry too much about screw recesses and other hard to reach places, they don't show in the finished job if the edges are smooth. ((https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Sand blasting or bead blasting** will work on carbon or stainless steel to remove rust and first layers. \\ | ||
| + | However, blasting aluminum will make lots of pits and change the appearance of the casting. \\ | ||
| + | It will also take longer to get all the media out of the crevices and any tiny place in a part. ((Wooley of the XLFORUM https:// | ||
| ===== Buffing / polishing wheels ===== | ===== Buffing / polishing wheels ===== | ||
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| ===== Polishing compounds ===== | ===== Polishing compounds ===== | ||
| - | See more on [[techtalk: | + | See more on [[techtalk: |
| The final polish is achieved by buffing it with a rotating wheel which has been loaded with a buffing compound. \\ | The final polish is achieved by buffing it with a rotating wheel which has been loaded with a buffing compound. \\ | ||
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| And the surface will become too greasy (often seen as a black slick of compound appearing on the surface). \\ | And the surface will become too greasy (often seen as a black slick of compound appearing on the surface). \\ | ||
| Apply compound to the wheel for 1/2 to 1 second. Any more is just a waste of compound. \\ | Apply compound to the wheel for 1/2 to 1 second. Any more is just a waste of compound. \\ | ||
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | |{{techtalk: |
| | Too much compound ((photo by Hippysmack)) | | Too much compound ((photo by Hippysmack)) | ||
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| ====== Polishing Technique ====== | ====== Polishing Technique ====== | ||
| - | |||
| **There are two basic buffing motions**: ((https:// | **There are two basic buffing motions**: ((https:// | ||
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| ===== Swirls ===== | ===== Swirls ===== | ||
| - | + | | |
| - | | + | |
| * Wheel or pad choice, technique, amount and type of compound, choice of machines and speeds, working material and etc. will all play a part in the finish (including swirls). | * Wheel or pad choice, technique, amount and type of compound, choice of machines and speeds, working material and etc. will all play a part in the finish (including swirls). | ||
| * Try running the wheel / pad at slower speeds if it is still leaving swirls. | * Try running the wheel / pad at slower speeds if it is still leaving swirls. | ||
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| ====== Buffing to the final finish ====== | ====== Buffing to the final finish ====== | ||
| - | |||
| Keep the wheel moving, periodically wipe off the wax smudge and look at the progress. \\ | Keep the wheel moving, periodically wipe off the wax smudge and look at the progress. \\ | ||
| Spending too much time in one spot can discolor the area. \\ | Spending too much time in one spot can discolor the area. \\ | ||
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| ====== Knowing when your done ====== | ====== Knowing when your done ====== | ||
| - | |||
| When are you done? \\ | When are you done? \\ | ||
| That's entirely up to what finish you are wanting to achieve. \\ | That's entirely up to what finish you are wanting to achieve. \\ | ||
| Any answer can be the right one. \\ | Any answer can be the right one. \\ | ||
| - | You can dull it down with coarse abrasives for a satin finish. | + | You can dull it down with coarse abrasives for a satin finish. Or shine it up with finer ones for a 'like chrome' |
| - | Or shine it up with finer ones for a higher shine or mirror finish. \\ | + | {{techtalk: |
| - | It all depends on what look you are going for in deciding how you want to polish it. ((xlc06sportster of the XLFORUM | + | It all depends on what look you are going for in deciding how you want to polish it. ((xlc06sportster of the XLFORUM |
| If you want to go to a mirror finish you need to take your time with it. \\ | If you want to go to a mirror finish you need to take your time with it. \\ | ||
| Take it to an ultra fine finish then get a cotton/ flannel wheel on a grinder and use metal rouge on a buff to a mirror finish. \\ | Take it to an ultra fine finish then get a cotton/ flannel wheel on a grinder and use metal rouge on a buff to a mirror finish. \\ | ||
| It takes time and practice to get the correct results but you can finish any metal (even carbon steel) to look like chrome. \\ | It takes time and practice to get the correct results but you can finish any metal (even carbon steel) to look like chrome. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| ====== Applying the final sheen ====== | ====== Applying the final sheen ====== | ||
| - | You can wax the parts when you got them polished like you want them to keep them shiny longer. ((bsporty of the XLFORUM | + | You can wax the parts when you got them polished like you want them to keep them shiny longer. ((bsporty of the XLFORUM |
| - | You can also follow up with some NevrDull, Mother' | + | You can also follow up with some NevrDull, Mother' |
| ====== Keeping the Shine ====== | ====== Keeping the Shine ====== | ||
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| Parts can be clear coating, as the factory did, but the finish won't last forever. \\ | Parts can be clear coating, as the factory did, but the finish won't last forever. \\ | ||
| - | Instead of painting after polishing, you can simply polish it again every so often with a cotton cloth and a good polish. ((PetesPonies of the XLFORUM | + | Instead of painting after polishing, you can simply polish it again every so often with a cotton cloth and a good polish. ((PetesPonies of the XLFORUM |
| ====== Examples of Polished Parts from the XLFORUM ====== | ====== Examples of Polished Parts from the XLFORUM ====== | ||
| + | See also [[techtalk: | ||
| + | |||
| ===== Headlights ===== | ===== Headlights ===== | ||
| - | The headlight mounting block and the brackets to bolt the headlight to the springer are fabbed from stainless steel and polished. \\ | + | The headlight mounting block and the brackets to bolt the headlight to the springer are fabbed from stainless steel. \\ |
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | They were polished |
| - | | Stainless headlight mounting hardware ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM http:// | + | |{{techtalk: |
| + | | Stainless headlight mounting hardware ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM | ||
| ===== Rocker Boxes ===== | ===== Rocker Boxes ===== | ||
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | |{{techtalk: |
| - | | Before - Removing oxidation - After ((photos by biknut of the XLFORUM | + | | Before - Removing oxidation - After ((photos by biknut of the XLFORUM |
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | |{{techtalk: |
| - | |Ultra fine Scotchbrite on one side, \\ followed by aluminum polish on the other: ((photo by HOMER308 of the XLFORUM | + | |Ultra fine Scotchbrite on one side, \\ followed by aluminum polish on the other: ((photo by HOMER308 of the XLFORUM |
| ===== Primary Covers ===== | ===== Primary Covers ===== | ||
| + | |{{techtalk: | ||
| + | |Primary cover polished w/ Scotchbrite and dishwater, \\ then with aluminum polish ((photos by HOMER308 of the XLFORUM https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is an aluminum Evo derby cover, not chrome, but shined up nice. \\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Cam / Gearcase Covers ===== | ||
| + | This is also aluminum, not chrome but shines up nicely. \\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| - | |{{: | ||
| - | |Primary cover polished w/ Scotchbrite and dishwater, \\ then with aluminum polish ((photos by HOMER308 of the XLFORUM http:// | ||
| ===== Foot Controls ===== | ===== Foot Controls ===== | ||
| ==== Shifter Linkage ==== | ==== Shifter Linkage ==== | ||
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| It goes to the cross over shifter shaft. Shift peg is on the right side. \\ | It goes to the cross over shifter shaft. Shift peg is on the right side. \\ | ||
| The stainless was sanded down smooth to about 400 grit and then polished with Dremel tool and metal polishing compound. | The stainless was sanded down smooth to about 400 grit and then polished with Dremel tool and metal polishing compound. | ||
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | |{{techtalk: |
| - | | Shifter linkage shaped like a knife ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM | + | | Shifter linkage shaped like a knife ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM |
| ===== Forks ===== | ===== Forks ===== | ||
| - | + | |{{techtalk: | |
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | | Removing glue gum ((photos by flskevin of the XLFORUM |
| - | | Removing glue gum ((photos by flskevin of the XLFORUM | + | |
| ===== Wheels ===== | ===== Wheels ===== | ||
| The axle spacer tubes for the Rocker wheel are made from stainless steel heavy wall tubing and polished to look like chrome. | The axle spacer tubes for the Rocker wheel are made from stainless steel heavy wall tubing and polished to look like chrome. | ||
| - | |{{:techtalk: | + | |{{techtalk: |
| - | | Polished stainless steel axle spacers ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM | + | | Polished stainless steel axle spacers ((photo by Graywolf of the XLFORUM |
| + | |||
| + | ===== Windshield Brackets ===== | ||
| + | |{{: | ||
| + | |Homemade windshield lowering brackets with a polished brushed finish. ((photos by girlsbike of the XLFORUM https:// | ||
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| [[: | [[: | ||
