Frame polishing

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Ytse
Posts: 287
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 11:53 am

by Ytse

WW team,

I have a carbon bike with tiny miny micro scratches I'd like to remove. What polishing methods and materials do you recommend that don't damage the paintwork and/or the frame?
2020 Scott Addict RC / 2021 Trek Emonda SLR / 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL8

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Steve Curtis
Posts: 1316
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:20 pm
Location: Hampshire UK, Dublin Ireland and Geneva Switzerland.

by Steve Curtis

Check out some car detailing channels for detailed guides and processes.

Jackofallgrades
Posts: 250
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:15 am

by Jackofallgrades

I use Autoglym polish and it works a treat. You can buff out a surprising amount of wear and tear.
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the jackel
Posts: 129
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:44 pm
Location: London

by the jackel

Steve Curtis wrote:
Mon Oct 17, 2022 2:04 pm
Check out some car detailing channels for detailed guides and processes.
What he said.

I've done this on one of my bikes and used the 3 step process with Sonus products. I do have a polishing machine so that makes short work of it and the end result is excellent. Doing it by hand is just more labour intensive.

Conradsleight
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 5:27 am

by Conradsleight

Ytse wrote:
Mon Oct 17, 2022 2:02 pm
WW team,

I have a carbon bike with tiny miny micro scratches I'd like to remove. What polishing methods and materials do you recommend that don't damage the paintwork and/or the frame?
Hmmmm, out of curiosity was this a new bike or old?

I took delivery of a new bike recently and noticed within a few days that it has a lot of micro scratches. I'm confident they were there to begin with as I only used a micro fibre cloth to wipe some finger prints away, didn't ride it through any rain or anything, and noticed they're also in places I didn't touch at all.

Pretty unhappy too as I'm still waiting on an answer from the brand after 1.5 months AND I paid for custom paint... :/

rudye9mr
Posts: 498
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 12:01 pm

by rudye9mr

Try a one step polish with fillers.

Meguairs has tutorials on using ultimat polish by hand..try on a car first /panel no one can see.

If you do get the micro abrasions sorted..seal with a ceramic DIY spray [turtle wax]...re-apply based on use.

Can use a carnuba wax over ceramic coat for added longevity.
20221017_221958.jpg
Just waxed..no effects from phone 20FE

cajer
Posts: 673
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2013 1:26 am

by cajer

How do you clean your bike before the ceramic coat? Water then ipa? I'm gonna be ceramic coatings my new frame when it comes in.

Ytse
Posts: 287
Joined: Thu May 05, 2022 11:53 am

by Ytse

Conradsleight wrote:
Tue Oct 18, 2022 1:24 am
Ytse wrote:
Mon Oct 17, 2022 2:02 pm
WW team,

I have a carbon bike with tiny miny micro scratches I'd like to remove. What polishing methods and materials do you recommend that don't damage the paintwork and/or the frame?
Hmmmm, out of curiosity was this a new bike or old?
Bike was bought 2 year ago as new, now needs some TLC to shine again. Especially the head tube and down tube.
2020 Scott Addict RC / 2021 Trek Emonda SLR / 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL8

rudye9mr
Posts: 498
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 12:01 pm

by rudye9mr

cajer wrote:
Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:41 am
How do you clean your bike before the ceramic coat? Water then ipa? I'm gonna be ceramic coatings my new frame when it comes in.
Automotive clay bars..e.g. Mother's with their lube or a pH neutral soap and water (must use something to lubricate).

As it is a new frame...doubt you'd have to polish.

Not sure how ipa will react to clear coat as i've never used it.

Pan the detailer's channel is excellent for those things/ detailing

RadB
Posts: 230
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2020 3:24 am

by RadB

I spot polished some blemished high wear areas with basic auto wax product, looked better than new. So I wonder if, assuming normal wear and tear and not gouges, how far you go is more a question of how much better than OEM/stock do you want it to be.

kode54
Posts: 3750
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:39 pm

by kode54

I use a cheapo Aliexpress mini polisher.

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/2255800446 ... 6cdb02aed0

Along with car polish. I prep the paint by cleaning first with a clay at and treat the paint like a car finish and not polish too heavy as to burn the paint. Takes out all fine scratches and brings the paint to a mirror finish.

There are other less expensive polishers along with mini ones available in the States at much higher prices. Yeah, a bit extreme the the results are astounding.
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by Weenie


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AJS914
Posts: 5399
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

Meguiar's Cleaner Wax is a good all arounder. I'd try that before I went for a complicated multi-step, multi-product process.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Cleaner ... B0002NYE5M

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