Fixing really light surface scratches

Energy One
linx

linx

Active Member
Hi guys,
When I bought my bike I used soft ties ratchet straps. I wrapped my triples in some soft cloth and then tied the soft tie straps around the trees.

Well, now I have light surface scratches on my trees. They are so light that I cannot feel them with my fingers but as wide as the ratchet straps. I would really like to find some way to polish these out, but #1. I don't know what to use. #2. I don't know what technique to use . I also have hairline scratches like swirl on most of my polished parts but not as bad as these scratches. The bike still looks good, but I really really really want to get this fixed. It's something "I" see every time I look at the bike, lol.

Thanks for the help guys. I know there's a lot of talk about what polish to use and whatnot, but this is not something I'm accustomed to. I'm very good at cleaning and keep my bike spotless and it's something I take pride in, but I want to improve my polishing and get better at it.

Thanks all.
 
mobsta

mobsta

Well-Known Member
i use mothers aluminum polish with my figures then rub with white soft towel,im sure some guys have better idea,thts jus me:cheers:
 
outdoorsman26

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
I use mothers as well but.......... I use the billet polish it has less of a cut, use a brand new micro fiber cloth follow the directions on the container and it will look like chrome!:2thumbs: just take your time and do a good job and your bike will look great. as for paint seeing as im just rambling :rolleyes:I use the mothers again it works WONDERFULLY!! no kidding either I had some light scratches from the pillion pad and they are gone looks like new!!:up: like I said just take ur time and do it right an your metal and paint will look great!!!:cheers:
 
linx

linx

Active Member
outdoorsman26 said:
I use mothers as well but.......... I use the billet polish it has less of a cut, use a brand new micro fiber cloth follow the directions on the container and it will look like chrome!:2thumbs: just take your time and do a good job and your bike will look great. as for paint seeing as im just rambling :rolleyes:I use the mothers again it works WONDERFULLY!! no kidding either I had some light scratches from the pillion pad and they are gone looks like new!!:up: like I said just take ur time and do it right an your metal and paint will look great!!!:cheers:
Click to expand...
So do you use the same thing on the paint that you use on the polished aluminum? The billet polish? Or some other type of mothers polish for the paint?

It sounds like this is going to be the way to go b/c im scared to use some type of power buffer for something so fine. Like I said, you can't feel the scratches.
 
Fibersnake

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
No the Mothers billet is just for the bare aluminum, do not use on the paint. Mothers does make some good carnuba wax for paint along with many others.

For the billet scratches, I like other go with the Mothers Billet polish, a clean couple of micro-fiber cloths and a little tender loving care using the fingers.

Good luck.
 
08ridgid

08ridgid

Active Member
AN option for the ULTIMATE in polishing your metal would be Mr. Buffer metal polish aluminum chrome silver brass cleaner
a very easy product to use, easy on and easy off. No build up and no elbow grease required. I highly recommend this product on the Dog!

NEVER use a metal polish on the painted parts!!

If you're interested in paint products try Adam's Polishes
They are an excellent company with excellent products, don't be afraid to use a Porter Cable buffer on your paint either, they are very easy to use!
 
outdoorsman26

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
no!!! its there light scratch and swirl remover just use a good micro fiber towel.. dont just go in circles!! do X"s, squares. then I use a liquid spray wax (wizards,eagle one,ect) a lil elbow power goes a long way and "I" think you can do a better job by hand!!!
 
whiplash

whiplash

New Member
I use white diamond metal polish,It works real well on aluminum & chrome. Whipes off easy. On the paint I use S100 pre cleaner & carnauba paste wax. purchased at J&P CYCLES. LOVE THIS STUFF :up:
 
linx

linx

Active Member
Since this post I've been using Mothers Billet cleaner on all my Billet, and it makes it look like chrome, even with surface scratches. Top notch stuff!
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
outdoorsman26 said:
no!!! its there light scratch and swirl remover just use a good micro fiber towel.. dont just go in circles!! do X"s, squares. then I use a liquid spray wax (wizards,eagle one,ect) a lil elbow power goes a long way and "I" think you can do a better job by hand!!!
Click to expand...
A professional detailing vendor at AZ Bike Week told me to steer clear of using micro-fiber towels on polished billet aluminum because "they'll leave fine, hairline scratches as they're made from synthetic material" (he called them "melted down plastic"). He said to look at the content and buy only 100% pure cotton cloths or baby diapers to use on polished billet aluminum.
He said "you'll see a big difference". So next time I'm at 'Wally-world', I'm picking up some cotton and will give it a whirl (to avoid the 'swirl'..:lol:). :cheers:
 
Last edited:
B

Baldielox

Active Member
I use "0000" steel wool and Flitz on my polished parts, and then follow up with Flitz and a soft cloth. It makes the aluminum look like chrome.

- B
 
linx

linx

Active Member
K9Anniv said:
A professional detailing vendor at AZ Bike Week told me to steer clear of using micro-fiber towels on polished billet aluminum because "they'll leave fine, hairline scratches as they're made from synthetic material" (he called them "melted down plastic"). He said to look at the content and buy only 100% pure cotton cloths or baby diapers to use on polished billet aluminum.
He said "you'll see a big difference". So next time I'm at 'Wally-world', I'm picking up some cotton and will give it a whirl (to avoid the 'swirl'..:lol:). :cheers:
Click to expand...
I've kind of noticed that as well that the micro fiber scratches a bit. The good thing about billet is you can use something like Mothers Billet polish and it takes it right out. Good tip and thanks for that. I plan on picking up some 100% cotton rags too after reading that.
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
K9Anniv said:
A professional detailing vendor at AZ Bike Week told me to steer clear of using micro-fiber towels on polished billet aluminum because "they'll leave fine, hairline scratches as they're made from synthetic material" (he called them "melted down plastic"). He said to look at the content and buy only 100% pure cotton cloths or baby diapers to use on polished billet aluminum.
He said "you'll see a big difference". So next time I'm at 'Wally-world', I'm picking up some cotton and will give it a whirl (to avoid the 'swirl'..:lol:). :cheers:
Click to expand...
That goes for paint too. 100% clean cotton diapers, for final polishing that is. Thats right stop bein so F'n cheap and get a clean diaper for christs sakes.
 
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