Polishing bicycle parts

[DaveS]

This website sell just about everything you'll ever need for polishing metal.

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffin...und-sc-18.html

What's in anodize remover? Apparently just sodium hydoxide. It can be had in liquid or powder form.

http://www.eastwood.com/images/pdf/1...over_quart.pdf

[KB]

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I posted some stuff in July that I sent out to be polished. They made a very nice job of it.

My take on this is if you want a professional job doing send it out. In my case it was cheap and done in my home city. However, when I stripped some anodising, I think I left for about an hour before rubbing it off. Another time I left it on for about 12 hours, but it didn't work well at all. So, it's pretty much 'trial and error'.

Those cranks of Peruffo look fab.

[prendrefeu]

I agree with having things sent out when the service is available (or you simply don't have time).

A local provider will take care of an entire frame - stripping, polishing, coating - for $60 USD.

Considering my hourly rate, as much as I love going OCD on my bike (especially tuning), having a polishing job go to a local service is a no brainer.

[civdic]

Step 1 – Soak in oven cleaner for 20 minutes
Step 2 – Sand with Wet Dry Paper 180 grit to remove deep scratches
Step 3 – Sand with 800 grit sand paper
Step 4 – Sand with 1000 grit sand paper
Step 5 – Polish with Blue Polish metal polish
Step 6 – Buff it with soft cloth

Took me 2.5 hours from start to finish.

[KB]

Great work. Thx for putting the steps as well.

[Spindoctor]

lovely stuff guys - it makes retro bikes look the DB's, but wont look good on my Zero 7 - I can still admire though

[civdic]

I have a friend with a Parlee Z5sl. He has a polished extralite stem, polished CK hubs laced with black spokes to stealth Enve 45s. He also polished a masterlight seat post and polished some DA skewers. The bike looks great.

He says the only thing is the polished parts must be waxed to keep the shine. No anodizing means the aluminum tarnishes quickly.

This thread has got me thinking about polishing up a zipp stem, seatpost clamp and DA skewers I have lying around . It might be a good winter project. If I add some polished chainring bolts to my M3 cranks it might give my Time NXR a different look.

[Fatbiker]

I agree with having things sent out when the service is available (or you simply don't have time).

Considering my hourly rate, as much as I love going OCD on my bike (especially tuning), having a polishing job go to a local service is a no brainer.

Thought so too, but after having done my first successful polish I just can't stop. Trust my, you are going to love it as well

[civdic]

I agree. It's addictive. Do it once and experience the results and it's hard to stop.

[Fatbiker]

Check out the Look Ergostem I polished yesterday!

When I got this stem it was unused, but it has lots of damages from storage. After removing the paint I discovered LOOK sandblasted it before paint, so it to for ever to get a smooth surface. After 3 hours of polishing I called it quits, but I think it looks pretty good already .