Fixing wrecked aluminum on VROD

[bgdave88]

I have a 2006 Vrod I'm doing a recondition on at our dealership and someone has obviously tried to clean the aluminum thats on this bikes engine, wheels, and derby cover with acid cleaner. Runs burned down on it. I have been using Wizards metal renew and polish and its having ok results but not what Im looking for. Anyone have any advice on how to do this better or easier? Thanks for info!

[chaotik]

Depending in how bad the acid burns are, it might come out with a liquid polish, but buffed with a rotary and not by hand. Usually acid burns will leave a " ghosting" of itself if just dome by hand, but, it just depends on how bad it is. Best liquid that I use is Busch aluminum super shine. Sold at most truck stops. Has great cut and finishes out very nicely. If that doesn't work, time to bust out the a yellow airway and green rouge bar and do a full repolish of the pieces in question. Atleast that's what I would do... I polish aluminum on semis as a side thing in the summer, but I am anal about it being perfect.

[rwright]

I honestly can't remember, does the aluminum have a coating on it? I was recently working on a Dyna Wide Glide and the aluminum on it was not coated but the chrome appeared to be - meaning no residue when using metal polish. I know you said you were using a metal polish but is there black residue on the cloth? I'm just curious.

[bgdave88]

Originally Posted by rwright

I honestly can't remember, does the aluminum have a coating on it? I was recently working on a Dyna Wide Glide and the aluminum on it was not coated but the chrome appeared to be - meaning no residue when using metal polish. I know you said you were using a metal polish but is there black residue on the cloth? I'm just curious.

Yes it has a coating on it

[rwright]

If the aluminum does have a coating then maybe switch to a polish or compound made for paint vs. for metal. It's possible the stains could be removed by machine polishing.