not sure where to put this topic

[coley13]

Aluminium, i guess what i'd like to know... It basically looks like crap with a little age and wear and tear. That brings me to my question. With cars bullbars rollbars etc, why the hell are they so shiney all the time?... Are they coated with something? Different type of aluminium. Sorry if this sounds stupid, most probably a logical explination. I cant figure it out and curious on others thoughts.

[omaotek]

Those shinny rollbars and bumpers are chrome plated steel.

[Mik329]

do you have sos pads down under?

[UknowDamright]

I wouldn't trust a rollbar made out of aluminum

[Tharrell]

Wheel acid and then Mothers aluminum polish.
I've got some old school CZ shouldered Akront rims that are cruddy.
I'll do a pictorial as I go and post up as soon as I can to show what can be done.
Of course, a liberal quantity of elbow grease is also required.

[bearorso]

Polished to buggery. Many polish mediums are out there that seal the surface to prevent oxidisation.

Different grades of alloy polish up / hold polished finishes better than others.

Some roll bars / bull bars are clear anodised, or simply clear spray coated.

From a personal view, I detest polished frames. I put it at the level of the, 'if it don't go, chrome it' mentality. But, each to their own, I guess. And , when I do a polished swingarm for my bikes, I hate how beautiful welds will get taken down to looking like 'tooth paste' welds. I much prefer just Scotch Brited, or, If 'shiny' is ones thing, the Mothers treated cotton wool type polish.