Topic: Refinishing aluminum engine covers

[Johnny5]

Hey,

I like the worn but uniform look of matte aluminum and was wanting to get my engine side covers of my CB350f done. I heard you can use a lubricant and a scotch brite pad to get the desired dullness, and then follow up with Alodine 1001 to protect the bare metal. I suppose I could get the covers bead blasted as well. But the most important thing for me is keeping the look for a long time, avoiding oxidation. Has anyone done this? If so, how it'd go? Thanks,

[754]

There are scotchbrite brushing wheels that can get that stock looking finish. They can spiff up the covers fairly fast.
 A bit tough to find, often in large sizes...

[calj737]

You can find ScotchBrite pads at nearly every auto paint supply store. They are known as Ro-locs (sp?) They are available in small and larger sizes to fit a drill or angle grinder, and available in differing grits. Grey is probably as fine as you'd want to go, starting with Green, then to Red.

Aluminum oxidizes unless coated. Period. Using Alodine will retard it, but it still oxidizes. And the oxidation is a protective layer to the base alloy anyway.

I like glass beading them, then some type of paste treatment, but I have a cabinet so its easy and free for me.

[754]

You can brush on a drill,  the big wheels mount like a buffer..
 The new model CB? 1100, one of the articles showed a pic of them, brushing one of the sidecovers for the bike.

[calj737]

I like to degrease, wipe with Acetone, then use a Stainless Steel brush to scuff up the oxidation before using the ScotchBrites. Just don't go nuts with the SS brush...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You can spray the covers with a matte clear coat after brushing them to help protect from oxidation.  On my fork lowers, I polished and then powder clear coated.

[Johnny5]

Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions. I have a spare side cover that I'll experiment with.

[754]

Factory is brushed finish with clear applied.