Cleaning a neglected af frame

Building Tips, Suspension Set Ups, Conversion Parts .... Build to your Heart's Content!
Post Reply
User avatar
Gmbond
Posts: 381
Joined: September 14th, 2009, 7:17 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Cleaning a neglected af frame

Post by Gmbond »

What does everyone use to clean up their bikes?

I've got a chassis that looks as though it was put away with dirt and mud on it. The aluminum is etched and marked from the mud damage.

I've used aluminum wheel cleaner and scotchbrite pads before with reasonably good results. I'm after a stock looking finish not polished

Thanks
User avatar
AlisoBob
"Hoon-father"
Posts: 15404
Joined: May 31st, 2007, 6:39 pm
Location: Aliso Viejo Ca

Post by AlisoBob »

Paulie is the "Brushed Finish" king.....
User avatar
mr2ace
Posts: 38
Joined: September 18th, 2010, 1:24 pm
Location: Dickinson TX

Post by mr2ace »

AlisoBob wrote:Paulie is the "Brushed Finish" king.....
.

Can you share his technique?

.
User avatar
maddog1927
Posts: 313
Joined: April 4th, 2010, 8:10 am
Location: Mesa, AZ

Post by maddog1927 »

I use scotch brite, WD40 and wipe with a clean rag
User avatar
mr2ace
Posts: 38
Joined: September 18th, 2010, 1:24 pm
Location: Dickinson TX

Post by mr2ace »

Image
User avatar
AlisoBob
"Hoon-father"
Posts: 15404
Joined: May 31st, 2007, 6:39 pm
Location: Aliso Viejo Ca

Post by AlisoBob »

mr2ace wrote:
AlisoBob wrote:Paulie is the "Brushed Finish" king.....
.

Can you share his technique?

.
Paulie, whats da 411?
User avatar
kdizzle
Posts: 372
Joined: May 7th, 2008, 10:03 am
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Post by kdizzle »

Comet and a green scrub pad work well, also a wire wheel on a drill works good if you are after that brushed look...
User avatar
mr2ace
Posts: 38
Joined: September 18th, 2010, 1:24 pm
Location: Dickinson TX

Post by mr2ace »

..
User avatar
pstoffers
Posts: 1652
Joined: May 31st, 2007, 8:04 pm
Location: Oakdale, CA

Post by pstoffers »

AlisoBob wrote:
mr2ace wrote:
AlisoBob wrote:Paulie is the "Brushed Finish" king.....
.

Can you share his technique?

.
Paulie, whats da 411?
A lot of love :bling:
NAHA PRO HILLCLIMBER #216
LIVIN THE DREAM!!!

NOTHING BUT GREEN LABEL BLENDZALL!!!

http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/P ... /Home.aspx
http://www.pro-hillclimbers.org/
User avatar
maddog1927
Posts: 313
Joined: April 4th, 2010, 8:10 am
Location: Mesa, AZ

Post by maddog1927 »

pstoffers wrote:
AlisoBob wrote:
mr2ace wrote: .

Can you share his technique?

.
Paulie, whats da 411?
A lot of love :bling:
so does this mean Paul is not going to share his technique?
User avatar
pstoffers
Posts: 1652
Joined: May 31st, 2007, 8:04 pm
Location: Oakdale, CA

Post by pstoffers »

:wink: Can't share all my secrets....
NAHA PRO HILLCLIMBER #216
LIVIN THE DREAM!!!

NOTHING BUT GREEN LABEL BLENDZALL!!!

http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/P ... /Home.aspx
http://www.pro-hillclimbers.org/
User avatar
Gmbond
Posts: 381
Joined: September 14th, 2009, 7:17 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Post by Gmbond »

Don't know what Paul uses to make his frames look so great but I have discovered for my one ugly frame (was put away muddy by the dpo and has mud stains etched in)

Wd40 and scotch brite pads seem to work well. And then turtle wax chrome polish/ rust remover with scotchbrite pads to finish. Seemed to give a decent brushed finish. Maybe a little smoother than stock but thankfully not polished looking.
User avatar
maddog1927
Posts: 313
Joined: April 4th, 2010, 8:10 am
Location: Mesa, AZ

Post by maddog1927 »

been doing the scotch brite / wd40 thing, I will have to try your second step.

For a bit more of a brushed look try a more course scotch brite. I have 2 boxes of SB pads. They are for the resturant industry, leaning pots and pans. One is "general purpose" and is about the same course as the back of a common kitchen sink spounge, the other is marked "extra heavy duty" and is alot more course. I give my frame a good rub down with the general puropse, then "touch" it with the extra heavy duty as needed to give it the brushed look.
User avatar
yota
Posts: 429
Joined: March 25th, 2009, 2:21 pm

Post by yota »

when I got my frame back from Mike it had been heat treated and cooled in a salt water mist, looked like it had been in the bay. I used navel jelly to clean it and then dried it and used a wide stainless steel brush in the direction of the grain. Looked stock to me when it was done.

Image
Image
Image
09 TTM CR500AF
08 KTM 200 XC
08 Ducati Hypermotard
03 CR125
95 CR250
83 Husqvarna 125 XC
73 Maico MX250
Post Reply