Topic: Front Fork Chrome Issue

[Arrico Wanders]

I'm trying to post an image of my front fork, hope I'm doing that right...

Assuming you can see the image, what do you think is going on?

I see 3 distinct patterns of wear.  In the front, there is a "speckled" appearance to the chrome.  It doesn't really look like rust, but sort of looks like it might become rust if left untreated.   In the middle, I have typical shiny chrome.  It looks OK.  In the rear, there is a definite dull finish.  I tried Mothers Chrome and aluminum polish on all three areas.  It seemed to improve the shine of the middle area, but didn't really affect the other 2 areas.  I've been reluctant to get more aggressive, because I'm not sure if the dull area represents chrome that's been worn off, or perhaps is still fixable.   Any ideas?

[hs2k007]

I believe the front forks are aluminum.  This is oxidation on the forks.  You can use a 400-600 grit of sand paper and wet sand the oxidation out.  Spray water on the area before sanding.  Purchase a good polish and polishing wheel for a drill of dremel tool.  Polish the area at high speed and it will give a chrome like finish.  You may also need to use a jewelers rouge to get the exact finish you are after.  Type in the search polishing aluminum, tons of articles on how to get the best finish.  It is very time consuming, but worth it.

Steven

[Gordon]

Yes, the fork lowers are aluminum not chrome.  Like Steven said, wet-sand and polish will remove the oxidation and bring up a chrome-like shine.  The fork lowers come stock with a dull finish and clear-coat, so somebody in the past has already sanded them down and polished them before.  Once you have them looking the way you want use some Nev-r-dull cotton wadding polish a couple times a year and it will help keep the oxidation at bay. 

[Arrico Wanders]

That's interesting.  I just assumed that the polished look was the original.  Is it generally preferable to try to return it to the original dull finish?  I am not planning a museum quality restoration, but have generally been trying to keep it in the original condition.  How would you go about intentionally turning it back to the original dull finish?

[hs2k007]

use a stainless brillo pad

[754]

 Scotchbrite pads, Some folks do chrome them , but yours dont look it.
 often called lower legs or sliders, the steel part that goes inside, is the fork tube.
 The Brits of course have a whole different set of names for those parts, not to worry tho if you are in N America..

[77cafe750]

the brits seem to have alot of there own sometime very cool terminoligy  brilo pads seem to work the best for me in acheiving that stco finish

[the technological J]

i say polish em.... its on my to do list for winter.. they look sharp..unless your going for a rat rod look the one on the left is sanded to 1000 the right one  has gone the whole  roushe and buffer polish