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Sanding fork tubes...clear coat?

6K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  fillmarr 
#1 ·
Hello!

Second day of warm weather up here...back on the project. I just sanded down my old semi-corroded, aluminum front fork tubes and they are looking pretty damn good all things considered. My questions is, as a second step, clear coat or just hit it with aluminum polish?

I know that sanding the aluminum isn't a perfect solution, but that's what I did anyway. Any tips are appreciated!

Thanks,
Phil
 
#3 ·
if you start sanding with 600 and finish with 1500 or higher you can then polish them up with a high speed buffer. Mine were a little corroded also but came out nice and shiny. I just keep them polished with some mothers alum paste here and there to keep them fresh looking. Clear coat after awhile tends to yellow.
 
#4 ·
I assume you're talking about the sliders, not the fork tubes. I'd wet sand them with some really fine sandpaper to take out the scratches and then polish them with a good aluminum polish like Autosol, MAAS, Simichrome, etc. If the bike isn't left out in the weather, the shine will last quite a long time, and it's easy to refresh it from that point on.

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#7 ·
I had the same question 4 years ago. I wasn't sure what to do so I decided to wait and see how they held up before I sprayed clear. I figured worst case, they'd just need a light repolish before clear. I hit them occasionally with Mothers and they still look like 83XLX's pic.

BTW, I'm sad to admit that the bike winters in a carport under a cover. I do the best I can, but it doesn't stay in my dream, climate controlled garage!
 
#8 ·
Wow — Thanks everyone!

I sanded mine down all the way to 1000 grit (didn’t have 1500) and polished with Mother’s. They look awesome. I should have done this to my engine....

Anyway, I just ran out of the 2k clear, but maybe I’ll do that again another day. These look great, and I’ll keep them clean until the winter/project season. Goal is to get this puppy on the road ASAP...having to cut some corners in the aesthetics dept for now.

Will post pics later!


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