polishing some of the aluminum on the X

[VTXHOGG]

I’ve been polishing some of the aluminum on the X, risers, control housings, I’m an amateur at this, but it looks good. What if anything can I do to maintain and protect the chrome like finish on the polished aluminum parts. Someone told me I should clear coat with a paint that can be chemically stripped. Paint in my experience does stick well to aluminum unless you etch the surface (removes the polish). I’m leaning more to polishes.

Any tips or tricks?

[RobDogg]

Wax it just like you would you're paint. It's easy to buff through if you get a scratch and it will slow the dulling process. If you want a longer lasting protection try Zoopseal. It's expensive but should last about 2-3 years with just washing as maintenance. Only problem is when it starts to wear you have to buff through it. I vote for wax.

[Smoke a Harley]

Yep wax is the best.

[LIVEWIRE]

just keep it waxed. if you wold clear coat it, it would shine great and protect it,but after a while the clear coat will possilby yellow and if it doesn't , it is almost gaurateed to flake. than you will be stripping it down to redo it or stripping it down, to just polish and wax it. i would wax it.

[VTXHOGG]

Great responce :wink:

Wax it is, although a Harley Mechanic friend (he was a friend before he became a Harley mechanic) :lol: suggested that once I done with the white rouge, use the Red rouge it's finer, next wash with 50/50 compound of cornstarch and water, this removes the black aluminum grit that you just buffed into the aluminum (it will make your finish brighter), then polish with Hollywood's Metal Polish
http://www.hollywoods1.com/Showshine-Liquid_web98K.jpg
he said that it's better than Mothers.

Do I wax after the polish, or just polish?

Do I need to get a fresh buffing wheel for the Red rouge?

Any thought on Hollywoods, mothers or other?

[RobDogg]

You will need to use a different buffing wheel for each compound. And be sure to clean the part between compound changes. Talc is a great final polisher (instead of corn starch). If you're using polishing wheels and taking it down to red rouge then you may not want to use a compound like Mothers on it. You might add scratches so test on a small area. Personally I don't think the red rouge will be corse enough to make any difference on aluminum. Those finer compounds are more for brass and softer metals. White should be the most effective. Be sure to push into the buffing wheel to build up heat in the part.

Once you've done all the polishing and you're happy with the result then do the wax.