Hey All I have a few bikes in the garage that need their forks rebuilt, what I am hoping to do it strip the lower fork legs and remove the paint. The ultimate goal is polishing them to look new, my query is around the clear coat paint that I see applied on many resto's, does anyone know what the process is to protect them once they are polished ? I know they are coated when they leave the factory, so that is the look I am hoping to achieve. Any help would be appreciated Chris
if you are polishing them I'd use a good 2-pak clear or an enamel. Unfortunately they will get stone chips :-(
Sorry I cant help you hear mate, I personally have never heard of polished steel getting clear coated..... Guessing because there is no scuffing of the surface there is nothing for the enamel to stick to?
I know this thread is 8 month's old, but this is the best stuff for clear coating polished alloy's and chrome work It provide's a high gloss, water clear, rock hard finish http://www.ppcco.com.au/por11.html They have a polishing kit as well that come's with Glisten clear http://www.ppcco.com.au/por31.html
Some clear coats tend to yellow with sun exposure if not UV stabilised, then chip and flake. As an alternative to paint you can get polished metal coated in clear ceramic. I know Specialised Industrial Coatings in West Ipswich does a variety of Cerakote finishes.
I haven't clear coated any of the ones I have polished - I just keep up the Autosol every six months and they stay nice and shiny. Of ourse this is on the bikes without painted forks....