frame and swing arm

[Chris1984]

morning lads,on my bike the frame and swing arm are polished but looking a little tired whats the best way to freshen these up,what do i use,i tried metal polish but the cloth went black should this happen or does it mean the frame is laquered.is it hard to take off the swing arm to give this a good clean and polish.what is the procedure.

[masterofinsanity]

if the cloth goes black it means its working. what are you using? autosol? use Belgom Alu you can get it anywhere or a proper kit with polishing soaps and mops from here http://www.polishing-kits.co.uk/

look int the photo section

[Chris1984]

if the cloth goes black it means its working. what are you using? autosol? use Belgom Alu you can get it anywhere or a proper kit with polishing soaps and mops from here http://www.polishing-kits.co.uk/

look int the photo section

I used the autoglym metal polish is this a no no.

[masterofinsanity]

autosol has abrasives in it, its good to start off with not sure about autoglym products, depends how good a finish you want really.

[Chris1984]

autosol has abrasives in it, its good to start off with not sure about autoglym products, depends how good a finish you want really.

its pretty good now just has a water marks and stuff that won't shift.Thin the autoglym stuff is the same as autosol.

[Mori Man]

Autoglym isn't as bad as Autosol but both will dull the finish if it's been polished previously with soaps.

To freshen up use a felt mop with an optical brightener soap (usually White) to give it that zing , although it doesn't "cut" it should remove the water marks.

Once polished apply a good silicone based wax - carnuba (what ever it's called) doesn't bond to metal surfaces so washes off real quick - that's what's in most wax's for paint, go for tyre/leather dressing wax.

Don't use cloth mop's if the finish is already good or you'll need to start at the beginning again !

[Vard66]

So, just to jump in on this thread for a second, if I wanted to polish my frame and swingarm up from matte, Autosol is a good start, but then Autoglym, then some Soaps, (wtf are 'Soaps' when they're at home?), then some decent Carnuba wax?

[Mori Man]

So, just to jump in on this thread for a second, if I wanted to polish my frame and swingarm up from matte, Autosol is a good start, but then Autoglym, then some Soaps, (wtf are 'Soaps' when they're at home?), then some decent Carnuba wax?

Soaps basically look like soap but are industrial polishing /cutting compounds for metal.

You don't need any commercial product to start with.

A general cutting soap is green and that will remove surface marks ect - this is used with a stitched mop called a sissel (spelling?) then used with an open cotton mop. Once the surface is flat and clean of marks you then use a felt mop with just a polish soap, usually white an that makes it really look like chrome - most kits don't have this and i sourced all my kit from an industrial estate from a supplier.

Paint wax id ok but doesn't last as (carnuba) you need something like tyre or leather wax that is silicone based (think mr sheen uses the same stuff with bees wax in it) - this just helps you from having to keep polishing it.

If your going for a high polish finish, carry a fleece cloth under the seat and never allow rain/water to dry on it - wipe off as soon as you can. avoid using cotton as this adds small scratches and overtime will dull the finish.

avoid using commercial cleaners as they remove the coating that the soap leaves , use a fleece or felt cloth to keep on top of it.

Now you now why i just stick with a semi-polish look.

[Vard66]

Pretty much...

[masterofinsanity]

now you know why i painted mt gixer frame and swinger lol

[Mori Man]

now you know why i painted mt gixer frame and swinger lol

Somebody say "paint" , I've been doing that today

I might be fussy about the alloy polish - I am talking "show" quality

You can do all the "soap" polishing and then just use autoglym to keep on top of it but along side a "polished" part you will see the difference.

Hence I stick to just a cutting soap finish and use cleaners to keep the same - nothing gained and nothing lost.

Going high polish and putting in the time you need to maintain that level - been there done that and Chrome is cheaper

BTW, polish up the alloy real good before chroming and it will look stunning and cost next to nothing as all they are doing is plating

MM!