Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

dearthchris
Topic Author
Offline
User
Posts: 14
Thanks: 0

Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 04:28

Hey Guys,
So I want to clean up my 80 KZ250 LTD (starter bike). Paint looks great but the aluminum has the typical wear, grime, and fade going on. What is the best way to clean and polish up this aluminum. I plan on selling the bike after I get myself comfortable with riding and upgrade bikes.

What is the best products and the steps to do it right?

Thanks

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

650ed
Offline
User
Posts: 15343
Thanks: 2829

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 05:04

#299837

If you have the time and patience, S100 Total Cycle Finish Restorer or X-treem polish both work very well on aluminum.

S100

X-treem

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

650ed
Offline
User
Posts: 15343
Thanks: 2829

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 05:08 - 17 Jun 2009 07:37

#299839

Double post.

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Attachments:

Last edit: 17 Jun 2009 07:37 by 650ed.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

650ed
Offline
User
Posts: 15343
Thanks: 2829

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 05:09

#299840

One more......

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

larrycavan
Visitor

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 05:29

#299843

Am I reading you correctly? Did you use the S100 product on the cast aluminun to get it that brilliant?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Jack
Offline
User
Posts: 703
Thanks: 7

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 06:09

#299849

Patience and elbow grease, along with liberal doses of Mother's Aluminum polish. If the S100 product got your 650 motor that clean without a fair bit of rubbing/wiping effort I'm getting a case...

[IMG][IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg309/JackMark2/DSCF9486.jpg[/img]

79 KZ 1075 MKll
79 KZ 1500 MKll dragbike
Gone but not forgotten:
3 X 73 Z1's
1 X 74 Z1A
1 X 75 Z1B

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

AtLarge
Offline
User
Posts: 187
Thanks: 21

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 08:04

#299878

If it's just grease, oil and road grime wiping it down with WD40 does wonders and looks decent when your done. Just don't let it puddle up in the motor crevices.

1973 Honda CL70-K3
1975 Kawasaki 350 F9-C
1983 Kawasaki KZ750-K1
1994 BMW K1100RS
2008 Suzuki GSX1300-BKK8 #1120

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Koda1
Offline
User
Posts: 15
Thanks: 0

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 10:36 - 23 Aug 2009 17:53

#299908

'78 CB750K
'82 650 Nighthawk
'82 KZ750
"The problem with socialism is that you eventially run out of other peoples money"
M. Thatcher

Last edit: 23 Aug 2009 17:53 by Koda1.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Calhoun
Offline
User
Hayabusa= I ride to the strip club in flip flops
Posts: 303
Thanks: 1

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 13:09

#299926

I found that Meguires' Cleaner Wax works very well. I used it to take that sticky chain lube off. Brake cleaner can't do the things this cleaner wax does and it won't itch your plastic or mess up your paint.It's my secret weapon.

80 IT175, 84 XL200, XT250, 95 ST1100 96 xr650l (30k miles),kz1000, KX250 97'
Last and most important 93 KX500.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

KZ250LTD
Offline
User
Posts: 1322
Thanks: 16

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 13:34 - 17 Jun 2009 13:36

#299928

www.mrbuffer.com

Also (temporarily) removes bluing from exhaust

79 KZ1000ST
Past:
Many.

Attachments:

Last edit: 17 Jun 2009 13:36 by KZ250LTD.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

KZ250LTD
Offline
User
Posts: 1322
Thanks: 16

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 13:38

#299933

Another

79 KZ1000ST
Past:
Many.

Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

jimstan
Offline
User
Posts: 51
Thanks: 3

Re: Best Way To Clean Aluminum?

17 Jun 2009 16:25

#299967

Wet sand with 320 grit then 800 then 1200 and buff to a shine
with a fine paste, the whole thing goes quick. Short cut are
more work in the long run .

JIM

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.