Hi everyone! I hope you are all being safe! A couple of years back I had some fun with my daughter's Yamaha XV250. Thankfully, it is all back running again and she is happy.... and her son, my grandson is looking lustfully at it for himself! LOL! Which brings me to my next "problem". Please read on. I picked up an '88 model Virago 250 - which seems to also be called a "Route 66". I got it really cheap ($140.00 Cdn) - it did not run but it turned over and has good compression. I have a ton of spare parts from when I rebuilt my daughter's bike including a near perfect set of stock pipes, fenders, fuel tank and small items. I am working on the cosmetics of this bike as it sat under a tarp but it got a bit weathered. The paint has all shined up quite nicely but, looking at the engine, the aluminum cases are not corroded, really, but weathered. The engine side covers, which come from the factory, painted, do not look correct for colour. They look more grey than like fake aluminum. So, two questions - what products are there that relatively easily, can brighten up the aluminum somewhat? I am hoping for a spray-on, wait and wash off type of a product, which will probably be some kind of acidic compound ... and what sort and colour of paint would be correct for restoring the look of the side covers. I am also thinking of a chrome type of paint that,when cured, looks really good, but it is pricey I am told and may not really be what I want to use on the engine pieces (or do I?) So - I am hoping some of you guys have some knowledge and ideas to share. Thanx in advance!
From the XV's i've seen the silver engine side cover's are usually a silver with a slight blueish tinge. That silver is commonly called wheel silver, engine enamel is best just in case you spill petrol on it. VHT sell it in engine enamel, Titanium Silver They also have Universal Aluminium. Both paint's can be clear coated to add some extra gloss, Gloss Clear engine enamel. To make these paint's tough, bake them on, @ 90° C for 20 minute's
Thank you very much! Being that I am "hibernating" at home, I am still playing with this.... So far it is all fun. I am going to the parts store to see about your recommendations...and hopefully they will be perfect.
