How to polish the engine side covers

nokitov

My next step towards getting on the road is getting my engine side covers shined up. They are terribly corroded, big black and grey spots all over both sides and bottom front forks. I tried rubbing the left side generator cover with wads of Never Dull? I can't remember, is that the name? Any way that stuff shines up the good spots but i'll be in my grave before I get the grey and black spots lookin' good. There's got to be a better way. Cleaned off the grease on the bottom of the right side cover with a medium wire brush wheel on my side grinder but I'm afraid of doing damage on the sides you can see. Any easier or safer ideas?
Thanks
Nokitov

jimmer

I bought this buffing/compounds kit... its amazing what this will do. Mounts on a bench grinder.

www.jestcoproducts.com...roductId=4

BigGeorge · Full Member Joined: Apr 13, 2008 Posts: 267

First you need to remove the clear coat with either paint stripper or I use my air angle grinder with the GREY 3M discs. They are made for aluminum. 5twins has good luck using stripper then 320 then 600 wet and dry sandpaper then buffing with Mothers aluminum polish. I've seen his bike and it shines ...........BG

pumps

nokitov I've just started this too. Trying to polish a newer style side cover that has the sight glass to check oil. So far I've managed to remove a fairly deep gouge with 380 grit..clear coat came off mostly with steel wool. Tomorrow going to try a piece of scotch brite I dug out of my stuff. Trying to figure out how to get in the nooks and crannies.

nokitov

I got my right side cover soaking in orange paint stripper right now but I haven't seen any clear lifting up yet. Is it still there since I bought it new in 1975. 33 years. Heck marriages or girl friends don't last half that long.

nokitov

jimmer wrote:

I bought this buffing/compounds kit... its amazing what this will do. Mounts on a bench grinder.

www.jestcoproducts.com...roductId=4

Looks like alot of stuff for $35.00 My wife could really use another present under the tree but she just got new Mikuni Carbs and didn't like them at all. I had to use them myself. Damn, she's hard to shop for.

Romer

nokitov, sounds like we are at the same point on or bikes. I had a deep gouge and dent in my cover. I took a file (yes file) and filed it down until it was gone. then I hit it with 80 grit, 150 grit, 220 grit, wet sand emory cloth, steel wool, buffing wheel and finally Mothers aluminum was. You can't see a scratch anywhere. shines like a mirror. And forget the clearcoat removal. I spent forever with paint remover...wire wheel in 5 min. did the trick. Wish I had taken before and after pic's.

nokitov

Big George and pumps, you're absolutely right. I just checked again and can see the clear coat lifting.

nokitov

Romer wrote:

nokitov, sounds like we are at the same point on or bikes. I had a deep gouge and dent in my cover. I took a file (yes file) and filed it down until it was gone. then I hit it with 80 grit, 150 grit, 220 grit, wet sand emory cloth, steel wool, buffing wheel and finally Mothers aluminum was. You can't see a scratch anywhere. shines like a mirror. And forget the clearcoat removal. I spent forever with paint remover...wire wheel in 5 min. did the trick. Wish I had taken before and after pic's.

Sounds good for trying tomorrow. I better get some sleep tonite.

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