Little Polishing, what a difference!

[Hondahoo2]

Well I'm just getting started slowly cleaning up and customizing a stocker. Here is a little before and after polishing Engine Mounts, polished headers, (painted shield with metallic) Clutch cover, filter cover.

Before
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/jmz_photos/400exMidsec.jpg

After

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t221/jmz_photos/400exmidsecPolished.jpg

More to come...

[j450rking]

looks pretty good keep it going

[buster024]

looks phat man! How are you polishing? I saw a post earlier about wet sanding. Is that what you're doing?

[mattn03]

Nice improvement! What products and steps did you use?

[04TRX400EX]

Yeah, I would like to know as well ... what products are you using and how are you doing it?

[Hondahoo2]

I will be doing more soon, I'll put in step by step photos when I do.

But basically
1. First 3M ScotchBrite Fine Grit finishing wheel, mounted on a bench grinder works great for parts off the bike, the higher RPM's give a better, fine finish. But you can use it on a drill also. You can probably get them at an automobile shop, body shop, or machien shop supply, or One place to get them online
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=2701233&PMT4NO=21798899

http://www1.mscdirect.com/ProductImages/0117551-11.jpg


2. Then a few treatments with Mothers alum polish, for those who have never used Mothers, its just like waxing your car, rub it on, wipe it off. It has very fine abrasives and canuba wax. Read the directions, don't need to work it that hard.

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpics/05100-05101_193px.jpg

3. Drink beer and admire bling bling! :macho

Just so you know though, once you polish alum, it is high maint afterwards to keep it that way!:cool:

[gncc025]

nice job on those headpipes man!

i have never seen stock headpipes look that good after someone tries to polish em.

[rcer450r]

You did an awsome job man, especially on that stock head pipe!

[Barrymaxx]

Looks really nice man!

I do alot of polishing, and it isnt too bad. The better shape the part your polishing, the easier it is. I really like the polished motor mounts.

Any plans for the oil tank?:p

[REPOMAN]

the headers look awesome. i might have to pay you to do mine. lol. i have never liked polishing, i dont have the patience. i ended up buying chrome for everything i would have polished.

[Hondahoo2]

Thanks,
I'm pretty amazed they came out that good too, I'm sure they won't look that good for long, we'll see. I mainly wanted to clean them up so they dissapate heat better...yeah LMAO!
I'm just happy to have stainless stock headers for once.

We'll see how long it lasts. I haven't even ran it very long yet. I suppose they'll blue out after awhile...we'll see.

[prnstr4life]

WOW your 400 was dirty. When mine gets washed the engine gets acid on it to keep the aluminum looking fresh. works nice on my headpipe too. i wish i could strip it down and do polishing and powdercoating all at once!

[blasterandy]

I wonder how polishing it then using some high heat spray paint clear coat would work... do they even make a high heat cc in a spray can. :confused:

[wrobben]

i think they do make a high temp clear coat but it will dull the sheen some on polished aluminum

[Hondahoo2]

I doubt there is a clear coat that will take the heat of the headers. What would be your reason for clear coat? The clear coating wouldn't stop the blueing from the heat, but it would help it stay cleaner.

Your best bet would be a ceramic coating, I've thought about getting one of these powder coating kits, pretty cheap to paint, but the main cost is heat lights or oven.
http://www.caswellplating.com/powder/ceramics.html