Polishing Billet Aluminum

[rasmusmi]

After polishing billet aluminum (what a mess!!!), does anyone know of a good way to clean off the residue? I don't suppose there's a rinse out there that you can spray on and rinse it all off, is there? Someone told me to use Simple Green...but I'm not so sure.
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

[GoudyL]

Originally Posted by rasmusmi

After polishing billet aluminum (what a mess!!!), does anyone know of a good way to clean off the residue? I don't suppose there's a rinse out there that you can spray on and rinse it all off, is there? Someone told me to use Simple Green...but I'm not so sure.
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

Simple green is too alkaline, I wouldn't use it on highly polished aluminum. I'd probably just use some water (or maybe an aluminum-specific wheel cleaner), and then follow up with Eagle One Nano Wheel Polish, which is very mild (so it won't spoil the mirror finish) and leaves a nice protective coating.

[salty]

Solvents clean well.

[rasmusmi]

It's my S&S engine...I totally 'fubarred' the aluminum by using a "quick fix" spray-on cleaner. In a total "brain freeze" moment...wrong application!!!

Lots of parts on this bike, including the wheels, are chrome. BUT FYI - Meguiar's Hot Chrome Wheel Cleaner and billet aluminum are NOT compatible...AT ALL!!!

Fortunately, the bike was cold when I initially (mis)applied this spray-on crap, and I haven't started it since which may have helped contain the stains to the very surface and not opened up the porous aluminum to absorb it deeper. Had that happened, a $35K bike would have been ruined.

Anyway, my process since that heart attack has been meticulously going through each fin and polished billet part using X-Treem Metal Polish wadding, then (while wet) gently rubbing 0000 steel wool over the part, then wiping it off with a micro-fiber cloth, then applying White Diamond Metal Polish (which is where all the white residue is coming from), then wiping it off with another clean micro-fiber cloth.

The results are great (on the parts I can reach...a zillion nooks & crannies!), but it's VERY time consuming (to do it right), and it's leaving quite a residue mess. I'm wiping the hoses and plastic fitting covers off with Meguiar's Leather Wipes, and they're fine.

Well, now you know "the rest of the story". Any more ideas on final residue clean-up, or is labor intensive 'elbow grease' my only solution??

[rasmusmi]

Originally Posted by salty

Solvents clean well.

Thanks. Could you be more specific (brands, process, etc)?

[salty]

You could try Mineral Spirits, Acetone or L Thinner.

Some people even use flour or baking powder and rub it off.

[Jim D.]

When using most metal polishes, you don't want to let them dry.

For example when I'm using Mothers Billet Polish, I work an area to create a buttery black residue with my PowerCone (or by hand), then wipe that area before it dries. Then go on to the next area. When I'm done, I'll spray the surface and a towel with FX Spray Wax and wipe off any excess while providing a protective shine.

[rasmusmi]

Originally Posted by Jim D.

When using most metal polishes, you don't want to let them dry.

For example when I'm using Mothers Billet Polish, I work an area to create a buttery black residue with my PowerCone (or by hand), then wipe that area before it dries. Then go on to the next area. When I'm done, I'll spray the surface and a towel with FX Spray Wax and wipe off any excess while providing a protective shine.

Thanks, man! Good advice!

[bwalker25]

Optimum metal polish is good, even the wolfgang metal werks is good as well. I tend to lean towards the Optimum Metal Polish, as its very easy to use, works great, and produces excellant results for me.

[GoudyL]

Originally Posted by rasmusmi

Thanks. Could you be more specific (brands, process, etc)?

B12 Chemtool (which can be found in the gasoline additives section at Autozone etc) is nice and strong. Take a cheapy cotton flannel, splash some solvent on it, and then wipe away.

[efnfast]

don't use SG - it can stain.