Best aluminum polish and protection : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

itsafatboy · 12-24-2007, 06:09 PM

have some polished aluminum parts , belt drive rotors an so on , want to use something so they wont dull quickly, whats the best thing to use thanks

Shaw_2112 · 12-24-2007, 07:15 PM

you could always try clear coating, but everything I've heard is carnuba wax is the best thing. I've polished a few parts and haven't come across the magic bullet yet. Mother's is good for a few months. I've tried the carnuba wax but it doesn't seem to be any better than anything else. Good luck in your search, let me know if ya find the "one"

DLRVelocity1 · 12-25-2007, 12:16 PM

Metal Gloss, bar none. Use the green cleaner and then follow with the polish / sealer... Made my billet alum. rocker boxes look like chrome, so much so that I used to get asked if my bike came with the "chrome" rocker boxes or if I installed them myself...LOL Go to their website and check it out.

I work in avialtion where our customers demand chrome looking finishes on bare aluminum. I have tried it all, (including all the most popular, highly publicized products), and nothing, (nothing....), can compare. Not even close to the Metal Gloss results.

Try it. You won't be disappointed...

Lefty · 12-25-2007, 12:47 PM

I found without a doubt the best solution to the aluminum fatboy wheels, exchanged them for chrome!

Lefty

steveusmc · 12-25-2007, 02:36 PM

I agree...MOTHERS is really good polish. Then apply and maintain a coat of good wax. I use Meguires Gold and it seems to be fine. That's what I use on my paint too...the Gold.

Shaw_2112 · 12-25-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLRVelocity1

Metal Gloss, bar none. Use the green cleaner and then follow with the polish / sealer... Made my billet alum. rocker boxes look like chrome, so much so that I used to get asked if my bike came with the "chrome" rocker boxes or if I installed them myself...LOL Go to their website and check it out.

I work in avialtion where our customers demand chrome looking finishes on bare aluminum. I have tried it all, (including all the most popular, highly publicized products), and nothing, (nothing....), can compare. Not even close to the Metal Gloss results.

Try it. You won't be disappointed...

thanks for the tip, I'll check it out...

anubisss · 12-25-2007, 05:11 PM

I agree with the Metal Gloss. Green to polish and the red to protect. I got it at the cycle world motorcycle show last year. Polished the aluminum on the wifes sporty and it shines like chrome. Also great on the chrome on my fatty. Fatboy wheels as well.
http://www.master-formula.com/Metal%20Polish.htm

92XL · 12-25-2007, 05:29 PM

Bad Dog Polish

steveusmc · 12-25-2007, 05:32 PM

example of Mother's.... But I will sure try that Metal Gloss next trip to the store.

The wheels on my 1995 Wideglide are older (1996) Performance Machine polished aluminum. (The picture does not do them justice) The Mother's has done a really great job for me but I am very curious to try the Metal Gloss. Thanks.

sap · 12-30-2007, 10:29 PM

if you want the best polish for your dull aluminum use blue magic i use it on all the parts i do after they are done

AzFAL · 12-31-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveusmc

example of Mother's.... But I will sure try that Metal Gloss next trip to the store.

The wheels on my 1995 Wideglide are older (1996) Performance Machine polished aluminum. (The picture does not do them justice) The Mother's has done a really great job for me but I am very curious to try the Metal Gloss. Thanks.

Steve, your Alum. wheel looks awesome. Have you simply hand-polished it or have you done any other "special " polishing to get it to look that good?

steveusmc · 01-01-2008, 11:16 AM

Dave,
The wheels are cnc and you can see the machining "grain". I try to always apply polish along those lines and do the same when polishing with a cloth. My son bought me a Mother's polishing ball and it works well too but it really is no faster, or better, than good old elbow grease. As I said before, these wheels are PM and are 11-12 yeas old. The are a few small spots that will take some deep polishing and TIME to get clear. I will put it on the lift one of these days in the garage and just spend a few hours working on just the wheels after I wash and clean the bike. Making the wheels look new will be a project that day.

I was looking on the website for "THE BOM" polishes and cleaners and I noticed the Springer in the picture had these exact wheels. I had never seen another se besides mine so I contacted the president of company and he answered right back that it was his bike and they were old PM wheels. That pic is no longer on the site as far as I can tell but I've heard nothing but good stuff about the products...I just haven't ordered any yet.

Saltwater · 02-20-2008, 09:34 PM

Metal Gloss, expensive but the best often is!

snap · 03-01-2008, 10:38 PM

After trying many products that were good,,,,Ill stick with the best. Metal gloss Polish!

y2kflhr · 03-02-2008, 07:48 AM

I use metal gloss and the sealer, but I also use gord's, I think I found it on this site, but do a google search, the stuff works great on aluminum and chrome, I go back and forth between the gords and metal gloss, when its real dirty like my rear wheel I use the gords, otherwise the gloss.