Topic: Polished engine parts???

[XN]

Just getting a feel for what a fair price is. How much did it cost you to get the valve cover and engine side covers polished?

[seaweb11]

2 finger prints and $25.00 for the wet sand paper.

Self satisfaction & Results,,,,,,,,,,,,, priceless 

Do a search for "polishing",off the "home page"  there is a ton of info and it really only takes some time and a buffer.

[Really?]

Been doing it myself so I would not know a price.

[greenjeans]

Maybe not exactly what you want to hear, but... about a year ago I got a buffer from Sears:   http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921181000P
It goes on sale periodically.  I paid $99 for it.    It will cost you more than that to pay someone to buff those.   I was able to polish my valve cover in about
an hour with out sanding...just with the wheels and compund.  It REALLY looks like a new piece.  If you have deep scratches, you'd have to sand a bit before
buffing.   You'll also have the satisfaction of being able to tell people you polished them...    Since, I've polished darn near everything on the bike that is alumimum.
It's really not hard at all.   If you decide to go that route, get some mechanics gloves or something similar, and wear a respirator.
I used a brown Tripoli compound (for non-ferous - aluminum etc) and some wheels from these guys:  http://www.buffpolishgrind.com/supplies/buffingwheels.htm#YK
they are the yellow ones are are quite a bit stiffer than the soft ones you get at Sears etc... really cuts the time down.  Here's a couple pics:

[Really?]

Nice work there greenjeans. 

HF has the buffer too if you are on a tight budget.  It will take a bit of practice at first but you will get it, whether it be the full sandpaper route, rouge or mixed.




Sandpaper, rouge and a couple files for the big casting marks.  I need to get back on the engine covers, I have gotten a little bit better at it after that front end.

[Otto]

Greenjeans,

Did you paint the motor and the fins? They look great! What did you use for paint?

bob

[73hutch]

check ebay. it might be cheaper to just buy the part already polished. if you have the means, just D.I.Y.

[greenjeans]

I used VHT.... time will tell.   I have new float bowl gaskets and a new petcock so hopefully nothing will leak on it until it heats a few times

[UnCrash]

You could use a heat gun to help cure it some...

[bunghole]

+1 on DIY.  It is a messy and dusty job, but you'll save some money and know that you did it yourself.

[Sam Green Racing]

XN, if you can't do it yourself, check out this thread.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43210.0

Sam.

[sparty]

A professional job to polish all of the aluminum parts on the engine will cost you 5 big ones.  But boy does it look amazing!

Sparty

[Otto]

Um,

What's VHT? 

bc

[Johnie]

I suppose if you plan to never do another bike then pay someone to do it.  But for what you pay that person you will have all the tools you need for the next one.  I did my side covers and forks myself with a Sears buffer and red, green and white rouge.  Granted, it takes time and patience to get the look you want.  I was also lucky enough to not have any deep scratches so I did not have to use any sandpaper.  I wanted to keep all original parts on this KO so did not want to buy them off eBay.  Some nice info in the FAQ area.  Good luck with your project...

[Really?]

Perty!

[736cc]

   You would be quite satisfied sending me your alloys to be refinished w/ polished aluminum ceramic coating. Really oxidized aluminum comes out looking great. The aluminum finish is not a mirror-finish, more of a sexy-satin aluminum similiar to oem but w/o the clearcoat (which we all know corrodes ez). Actual aluminum particulates are bonded to the alloys so they polish-up nicely. I've done dozens of restos using this beautiful (and VERY durable) process for all my CB750's and have many happy customers; prices very reasonable and free USA shipping available on engine cover sets. $45 each for clutch/tranny/sprocket covers, $75 each for alternator and valve cover using your cores. Send me an email for more info: detail@optonline.net

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