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[MAVERICK]

Here are some tips on polishing aluminum, chrome parts.

Tripoli
Brown (all-purpose cut and color) Used for basic clean up on minor scratches and light work, many times the first step to get an even finish and good color. Use a medium spiral sewn buff here, typically 3/8" sewing.

Chrome rouge
White (fine cut mostly color) Used in many applications as a final finish on very good quality metal or to color after Tripoli. Using a 3/8 spiral sewn buff is acceptable and for final application a loose buff is used.

Jewelers rouge
Pink (fine compound color only for mirror finish) Used to achieve a custom high quality "mirror" finish which is a final application after Tripoli or Chrome rouge. A loosely sewn buff is appropriate, but most often a loose buff is used with jewelers rouge.

Plated parts
Note: All compounds can cut through plating. You can do more damage than good polishing a thinly plated part. Also be careful polishing clear coat. Generally, you should remove all clear coat to do any polishing. Try not to mix aggressive compounds with color compounds on the same buff. If you need to use the same buff, clean it with a raking action. A file edge is best, but any heavy gauge metal, hard and straight will work.

Aluminum wheels
For polishing or cleaning an aluminum wheel or wheels first check for clear coat (this has to be removed to polish ex: Sanded off). The Polishing is usually a two step process. First using Tripoli and a buffing wheel remove scratches and blend out for the first step. Second using  Jewelers rouge and a new buff, finish out the fine lines and blend.  cleaning, polishing, and ection.

[Coolbreeze]

Any recommendations on the re-application of a clear coat to protect all that work? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[Striker]

best thing for clear coat is 3-M glaze, don't remove your clear coat unless you know a good painter.  You are better off to touch up a chip, after several applications you build up the chip till it can be sanded down with 1400 wet dry sandpaper.  Then buff it out with a slow speed buffer.  As far as using any kind of jewelers rouge on chrome, stay away from it.  At the very least you will leave marked of some kind, or at the worst, you will break into the nickel plate.  A mild chrome polish and alot of elbow grease is the best.

[doubledeuce3]

what do you think of mothers? or any other polish like turtle wax chrome cleaner>?

[CVOwner]

what do you think of mothers? or any other polish like turtle wax chrome cleaner>?

I have used Turtle Wax chrome polish forever. The stuff is good. I finish it off with Glare, after I've got it clean with  Turtle wax

[REGGAB]

I like Simichrome to get off any stains, Windex wipes for quick clean ups, and Glare to protect it all and make it shine.

[nidan]

Thanks , this will come in handy!

[screem]

I like the Mothers chrome polish....goes on easy and comes off just as easy

[Pbody]

Has anyone used a Teflon-based product, for chrome and paint?  I'm looking for a good product to use on all surfaces and help retard the effects of a very humid environment near ocean waters. 

I spend a lot of time keeping all the chrome clean that I've accumulated.  I've heard good things about Teflon products.  I just ordered some stuff made by DuPont.  Just wondering if anyone has had experience with it, or if there might be something as good or better out there.  I use a lot of Blue Magic, and I don't mind donating some elbow grease.  But, when I deploy, I feel she's left here virtually unprotected.

Thanks...

[Midnight Rider]

Has anyone used a Teflon-based product, for chrome and paint?  I'm looking for a good product to use on all surfaces and help retard the effects of a very humid environment near ocean waters. 

I spend a lot of time keeping all the chrome clean that I've accumulated.  I've heard good things about Teflon products.  I just ordered some stuff made by DuPont.  Just wondering if anyone has had experience with it, or if there might be something as good or better out there.  I use a lot of Blue Magic, and I don't mind donating some elbow grease.  But, when I deploy, I feel she's left here virtually unprotected.

Thanks...

Glare...use it on all hard surfaces.  The stuff works as advertised, and a lot of people here use it as well.

[REGGAB]

Glare...use it on all hard surfaces.  The stuff works as advertised, and a lot of people here use it as well.

Yessir!  The stuff is awesome!  Just wish it would have repelled that paint mist.

[flytens]

What do you use on your pipes? 

[REGGAB]

What do you use on your pipes? 

Glare Pro Polish and Brite Max 6S for detail.

[grc]

Here is my #1 tip for polishing chrome - feel free to pass it along.

Drop bike off at Fired00d's place along with a case of liquid refreshment.  Pick bike up at end of the day.

Jerry

[ccr]

Here is my #1 tip for polishing chrome - feel free to pass it along.

Drop bike off at Fired00d's place along with a case of liquid refreshment.  Pick bike up at end of the day.

Jerry

Really?  Is this true?  I can actually get to Fired00d's house relatively easily.  And, my bike needs to be detailed for our trip - leaving Sunday.  What is the liquid refreshment of choice Gary?  I will pick it up, drop bike off this afternoon, pick up in morning. Work for you?