| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerxt |
I don't know enough about metals to tell and I don't want to mess up the frame with the wrong polishing material. Ths. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
My XB frames are painted.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
Actually, I believe it's powdercoat. XT - your profile says you have an XT. Should be a matte finish powdercoat. I wouldn't polish it, you'll get polish leftover in the low spots, like a bad wax job on a car with flat black bumper/rubstrips. 50/50 water/simple green mix (on a COLD bike, never wash it hot), wash it, rinse with water, dry it. If you need to 'polish' it, you can use either Harley Gloss or Meguiars Quick Detailer - spritz on, wipe, and go. S-100 Engine Brite is also a good product, keeps the coating from getting chalky looking. Of course, this is all theory, methods taken from cleaning my tubers and applying it to an XB...I have yet to actually wash my XB LOL. (Message edited by ratbuell on March 12, 2010) | ||
| Sperz1 |
I've used simple green (I've never diluted it) and water to clean the Uly with pretty good results. The matte black finish on the cases are really a PITA though. | ||
| Ratbuell |
That's why I dilute. Less chemical streaking. The S-100 is awesome for the black cases. Spray and go, no wiping. It's like armor-all, but no slime. | ||
| Sperz1 |
I'll have to pick some of that up then. Thanks. | ||
| Towpro |
Mine has a stain on the RS frame where a previous owners knee must have "cooked". I need to try simple green on it. | ||
| Alchemy |
Thanks for the comments on black cases. I have been wondering how those would ever be kept looking clean. Seems like it would be far more hassle than just simple powder coat paint. S-100 sounds like a good place to start. | ||
| Ghostrider |
I've had good luck cleaning my Firebolt with soft scrub. Doesn't scratch anything and it cleans most grime or road gunk pretty good. | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
For the black cases, the best product I've used is Bike Brite. It leaves no residue and does not require diluting. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I appreciate all the input and I'll second, third and fourth those props on S100 Engine Brite for black cases. Great stuff. My reason for mentioning polishing is that I have a 1/4" 'birth mark' on my frame that the dealer didn't know how to remove and, if possible, I'd like to remove it. It's smooth and just a bit darker than the rest of the frame and because it is right in the middle of the frame, just a couple inches below the front of the seat, it really shows. If there is no way to remove it easily, I'll live with it. Just hopin'! lol Ths. Again. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Sounds like a 'knee rub mark'. My Lightning has one as well. | ||
| Buellerxt |
The mark was on there when the bike was on the floor with under 10 miles, Mike. Maybe it was a slight mess-up in coating the frame, if it's coated. It's not a big deal at all but it would be nice to remove it since it stands out. Oh well. | ||
| Ratbuell |
It sounds from your description like a shiny spot. You need anti-polish. Try 2000 grit sandpaper to scuff it up some, see if that helps. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Are we sure it's powdercoat? At least on the swingarm, I know personally that brake cleaner takes the paint right off. | ||
| Buellerxt |
It's a dark spot about 1/4" in diam. I'll look at it closely as I'm heading out to ride. I'll try and get a picture as well. Taking sanding paper to it, even the really fine stuff, gives me the heeby -jeebies!  | ||
| Froggy |
100%. There have been no painted body parts on stock Buells since the XB came out. Pretty much everything is powder coated. |
