Treating bare polished aluminum for permanent shine?

[BlackdogGS]

I just don’t want to spend loads of time polishing. Probably no permanent solution I know.

I just bought this bike and the engine is mostly polished aluminum. I’d like to treat it with something to where I only have to polish and retreat once a year or so. What do you suggest?

 

[tom in nh]

Enjoy the **** out of it...
Polish it before you let the next caretaker take over.

 

[jrj3rd]

Might t want to check out Sharkhide. Used a lot to treat polished aluminum in marine trades

 

[Rockable]

I hate polishing aluminum, too. This is the best stuff I have found. It's sold by the people who make lots of aluminum wheels and it definitely cuts down on maintenance of polished aluminum.

American Racing 9000903 American Racing Wheel Wax | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - American Racing Wheel Wax with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Waxes at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[housewolf]

I had a friend years ago that detailed small airplanes for a living. He introduced me to this stuff, he used on props. The first time I used it 20+ years ago on MC parts it seemed to last forever. I bought more ~ 10 years ago to do the wheels on my race car and it works good for about 1 season/year.

ETA: I just looked and apparently it’s no longer available

 

[old.blue.eyes]

i like the sound of that housewolf. i'll checking out that x-treem metal majic.

 

[Fixr]

I just don’t want to spend loads of time polishing. Probably no permanent solution I know.

I just bought this bike and the engine is mostly polished aluminum. I’d like to treat it with something to where I only have to polish and retreat once a year or so. What do you suggest?

The folks on the RE forum seem to have reached a consensus on Mop&Glo. Yes, the floor polish. It reportedly does a very good job of protecting and holds up well.

p.s. My Interceptor is Ravishing Red, the fastest color.

 

[unslow1]

I use Blue Magic. Some friends mix it with RainX to help it last longer on their semi tanks.

 

[PWC Repair]

I've had polished aluminum parts on my dirtbike, quad, jet skis, and wheels and engine parts on vehicles since I was a teenager. The best stuff out right now is Wenol polish. It also has a sealant in it so no extra steps are necessary......BUT after polishing I use the Mothers ceramic wax. Rub in thoroughly and buff out. The show truck wheels can run through MULTIPLE car washes throughout the year without having to repolish.

 

[kabinenroller]

Chances are the aluminum parts are clear coated or anodized, you should check that before trying to polish anything. If you wear through the coating in places the surface will look hazy in places and shinny in others.
For polishing aluminum I have found this product to work better than most other brands. Easy to apply and leaves a great shine, I use it exclusively on my hot rod wheels. Works excellent on chrome also.

https://www.amazon.com/Dura-Coating-Blue-Premium-Metal-Polish/dp/B08NRVLS47?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Stuart in MN]

Chances are the aluminum parts are clear coated or anodized, you should check that before trying to polish anything.

What I was going to say. Most bikes these days don't have bare aluminum, it's going to be clear coated. Just clean and wax it like you would any other part of the bike.

I've been intrigued by those Royal Enfields - they look right, and are priced pretty good too.

 

[Fixr]

What I was going to say. Most bikes these days don't have bare aluminum, it's going to be clear coated. Just clean and wax it like you would any other part of the bike.

I've been intrigued by those Royal Enfields - they look right, and are priced pretty good too.

One of the reasons the REs are priced so well is that the aluminum is not clearcoated or anodized. So you get the authentic classic britbike experience of needing to maintain those surfaces if you want them to stay shiny.

Me, I ride it, but not when the roads are salty, and give it a quick wash maybe twice a year. After 4-1/2 years, there's a little minor corrosion here and there, but I wasn't looking for a show bike.

 

[67drake]

I had a ‘73 Harley that had aluminum cases. I experimented with different polishes. My go to was Flitz. I used this once or twice a year. It would put an excellent shine on with time and elbow grease. Some of my riding buddies thought I had chrome cases.
Anyway, between Flitz treatments, I would rub Never Dull over them for a quick clean up. This I did as needed to get off oil, road grime, ect
This was 30 years ago, so may be other better products these days.

 

[Stuart in MN]

One of the reasons the REs are priced so well is that the aluminum is not clearcoated or anodized. So you get the authentic classic britbike experience of needing to maintain those surfaces if you want them to stay shiny.

Ah, I didn't know that.

As mentioned by 67drake, Flitz polish is good stuff. Simichrome is another excellent polish.

 

[Firstram]

The folks on the RE forum seem to have reached a consensus on Mop&Glo. Yes, the floor polish. It reportedly does a very good job of protecting and holds up well.

p.s. My Interceptor is Ravishing Red, the fastest color.

A little off topic but, floor wax products are perfect to keep tires, rubber mats and pedals shiny! It looks good for a long time without being slippery or attracting dust.

Future/Pledge was the hot ticket before it was discontinued.

 

[housewolf]

Another tip on keeping a lasting shine on polished aluminum. Wash the polish off. Just clear water & microfiber cloth seems to work the best. Any residual polish left on the surface will make the finish dull quicker

 

[Beemer]

SemiChrome polish is the classic Brit Bike solution.
But once you start it becomes a regular maintenance burden unless you coat it with something.
You might call a metal finishing company and see that they have to say about coatings.
I hate polishing, probably because I don't have the patience for the job.

 

[ZRX61]

There's only one choice... Solvol Autosol, as used by a century of motorcycle owners in the UK. You can buy a tube on Amazon. It will last you about a decade, probably longer. I'm nearing the end of a tube I bought over 12 years ago, should last until 2025. Already have a new tube (& another of their Stainless polish).

It's the Dogs ********.


& those engines covers are most likely clearcoated, put a dab of paint stripper where it won't be seen to check.

 

[Fixr]

There's only one choice... Solvol Autosol, as used by a century of motorcycle owners in the UK. You can buy a tube on Amazon. It will last you about a decade, probably longer. I'm nearing the end of a tube I bought over 12 years ago, should last until 2025. Already have a new tube (& another of their Stainless polish).

It's the Dogs ********.


& those engines covers are most likely clearcoated, put a dab of paint stripper where it won't be seen to check.

No, they're bare. You know, so they get the proper British patina, rather than eventually developing the leprosy of peeling clearcoat. It's a feature, not a bug.

 

[nadogail]

I used Sumachrome (sp?) on the aluminum parts of my bicycles.

I have no experience with Motorcycle ownership or maintenance.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Cerakote's MC-5100 is the go to for every piece of aluminum I polish and buff.

It's permanent, doesn't yellow, spiderweb, crackle, or lose gloss over time. It dries to the touch in 30-60 minutes depending on humidity and continues to air cure over the next five days. Marketed as The World's Strongest Clear Coat, it's $35 for a four ounce Tester size and a little bit goes a long way. The only specialized equipment is an HVLP gun with a .08 mm tip. Leftovers can be poured back into the bottle.

Cerakote.com

After all this work I don't ever want to do it again ... and don't want my customers to have to worry about future upkeep.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I used Sumachrome (sp?) on the aluminum parts of my bicycles.

Simichrome.

 

[nadogail]

Simichrome.

Tanks for your correction to my error.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Tanks for your correction to my error.

I couldn't help myself.