i just got a 96 blade that im re-doing and i would love the polish out the frame and swing arm, just wondering what you guys have found to be the best method of doing it?

 

You can youtube how to videos on polishing aluminum.


I, personally, do not have the patience for it.

 

its a very time consuming job, but looks nice, first off you have to remove the coating or paint on the frame, not sure what you have on your frame, paint will require a strong paint stripper if its anodised (its chemically etched) and takes some removal ( scotchbrite sanding disc will remove it).
then get yourself a polishing kit for your drill (hard and soft compound) its messy and wear eye protection, use the hard compound first with the harder mop (make sure all the black mop lines are cleaned off) then use the soft compound and soft mop to shine up, I have polished a couple of frames and swingers, its hard work and you have to keep it clean, but worth it

 

+1to wheelnut. I have a total polished 900rr and it IS nice but i am done with the upkeep of it and i am having it all re-powdercoated. I have bought stock in mothers lol. I like the polished look but it will NEVER be chrome and the chrome shine is where my heart is at. I have tried to get my polishing to look as close to chrome as possible but never was COMPLETELY satisfied with it.

 

thanks for the input guys, not ready to takle that project yet got alot of other things im doing first so it will be a winter project.

 

For some reason I find great joy in polishing on my 900 rr,and I've tried about every trick in the book!I completely tore my bike down and polished the frame ,it took two weeks with trial and error,heres what I came up with,if it's painted,start with paint stipper and follow directions for it to the letter or it locks the paint and makes it harder to remove,then use atleast 1000 grit wet and dry with water ,once you see you've got all the scratches out,go to any chiefs or O'Reilly's or autozone and buy a bottle of blue magic metal polish and a 3.00 foam buffer that goes right in the end of a drop.use blue magic two times back to back and then use the foam buffer ,that thing will glass out and I literally sat in awe because I went from sanding to glass shine with a cream polish and did Not have to bust my rump or even a sweat for that matter😂 hope it works for you guys as it did for my.blue magic is sold next to car polish and stuff and it's in a light blue little round can

 

What do you guys do about protecting the VIN?