bznchris Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 As the title says, just want to make sure the crankcase, heads and all covers but the starter motor cover are aluminum. Yes? So after sanding away blemishes I shouldn't have to worry about corrosion/painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted February 16, 2010 Moderator Share Posted February 16, 2010 As the title says, just want to make sure the crankcase, heads and all covers but the starter motor cover are aluminum. Yes? So after sanding away blemishes I shouldn't have to worry about corrosion/painting. yep, keep 'em polished and a wipe of ACF50 starter motor cover is zinc plated, but i had mine chromed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bznchris Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 thanks drewps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duaneage Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 The aluminum cases can be restored and even polished but the real protection comes from clear coat. Use lacquer thinner to clean the cases real good after polishing and apply clear engine paint to them. This will keep them looking good and is how they came from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bznchris Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 The aluminum cases can be restored and even polished but the real protection comes from clear coat. Use lacquer thinner to clean the cases real good after polishing and apply clear engine paint to them. This will keep them looking good and is how they came from the factory. good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted February 16, 2010 Moderator Share Posted February 16, 2010 the problem with clear coat is that as soon as it scratches then moisture gets inside it and makes it look horrible and then the alloy whitens. the factory "look" for xs400 cases was silver engine paint!! consensus in other forums was to leave alu bare and polish/ACF50 it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bznchris Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 the problem with clear coat is that as soon as it scratches then moisture gets inside it and makes it look horrible and then the alloy whitens. the factory "look" for xs400 cases was silver engine paint!! consensus in other forums was to leave alu bare and polish/ACF50 it I was pretty set on the ACF50 route anyways, so that sealed the deal. I would think any paint in general would have a hard time sticking to polished aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bznchris Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 hey drewpy, about the acf50- that's some serious stuff! is it fine for high heat areas like the head? and will it harm paint/rubber if I get a little on it? Edit: found my answer, stuff's harmless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted February 18, 2010 Moderator Share Posted February 18, 2010 hey drewpy, about the acf50- that's some serious stuff! is it fine for high heat areas like the head? and will it harm paint/rubber if I get a little on it? Edit: found my answer, stuff's harmless. BJ and blackhat even drink it when the whisky dries up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedshop Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 The alloy used is zinc rich, so if you polish it once, you'll always be polishing it if you want to keep it looking good. Moisture in the air is enough to cause it to corrode, let alone getting rain water on it! ACF50 is good, the questions about high stressed ares are spurious. Laquering is about the worst thing you could do to polished ally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bznchris Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 drewpy- ah well that explains a lot now doesn't it? I won't knock it 'till I try it though. Speedshop- Yup, no laquer for this bike. I actually stripped off a little paint from the old painted covers, turns out they were sandblasted before painting, and look really nice the way they are. I might go with them instead of the shiny new ones, as I prefer that matte luster to a polished "blingy" look. Still with plenty of acf50, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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