957 frame corrosion help?

[jedi_rider]

After many years of faithful and PLUSH service, my 957 is in need of a facelift.  It seems that the beautiful chrome paint is beginning to corrode, and I haven't been successful at removing the corrosion with any type of polish or etc.

Anyone else successful in restoring the "showroom shine" to a 957 chrome frame?

Thanks in advance, and keep riding!

jr

[Spokes]

Your 957 is made from aluminium and is polished not painted in chrome paint. They usually have a clear laquer finish on top to protect the polished shine of the frame. If this clear coat has worn thin and the bare aluminium is on show it will start to corrode. The best thing to do is to get the frame re-polished back to it original shine and then either get it clear coated or just polish it regulary to keep it looking its best.
Or sell it to me and I'll do it 

Chris

[jedi_rider]

Thanks for the 411 on that, Spokes - I could swear I read on here somewhere that this was chrome paint, but your explanation makes lots of sense. 

I have tried hand-polishing it with Mother's brand chrome polish to no avail...  any suggestions about polishing agents I could use?  Or, do you thiink it might be wise to seek out a "pro" who uses a rotary-style polisher and real polishing compounds to do the job?  I suppose that, if the corrosion is under the clear-coat, I may need someone to strip/repolish the dang thing. 

I could kick myself for letting this fine ride get sick like this!!

Suggestions?

[Colin]

But when you're polishing it, you're polishing the clear laquer coat not the aluminium (unless the laquer coat has completely worn away...........)
so you're possibly just making the remains of the laquer coat dull through using an abrasive polish.

Col.

[spikebender]

I polisied out my 656 when I bought it someone had spray painted it plus the origanal paint was pretty hammerd  a stiff polishing wheel and the red rouge did the trick (hint) if you use a drill put a piece of inertube over the chuck helps prevent more scraches

[Spokes]

But when you're polishing it, you're polishing the clear laquer coat not the aluminium (unless the laquer coat has completely worn away...........)
so you're possibly just making the remains of the laquer coat dull through using an abrasive polish.

Col.

Agreed. This is why I said to get it re- polished back to its original shine. Meaning get a pro polisher to do it on a mopping wheel. A mop or polishing wheel will take off the laquer easily leaving just shiney aluminium. Once done, if left bare you can keep it shiney with regular polishing with household metal polish.
You can buy a DIY polishing kit as Spikebender mentioned and I have had very good results with mine on my motor cycles. However its time consuming and the shape of a bike frame would be challenging and patience testing.

Chris

[shovelon]

I use a Maroon colored Schotchbrite hand pad, followed with Knorristall metal polish. Not perfect, but good for a few months.

[jedi_rider]

Good stuff~~!  I will try the home remedies again, and then seek professional help - my girl has been telling me I need it for years...   

Thanks for the help!

jr

[Spokes]

If I can offer one tip for hand polishing, is to apply an even pressure and only go in one direction, especially when using abrasives. If you go in to many directions you'll get less shine when you polish it.

Chris

[Colin]

On the plus side, whilst polishing it, you're making it lighter!

Until it all wears away...........

<GRIN>

Col.

[Spokes]

  Performance by polishing!

[kiwi]

On the plus side, whilst polishing it, you're making it lighter!

Until it all wears away...........

<GRIN>

Col.

and its light exercise!