Polishing spinners mufflers and motors

[EddyR]

Polishing these items is very easy. I see threads how do I get my motor clean on the outside all the time. I have been using this method on vintage bike for a long time. It will take corroded aluminum or very dirty aluminum and make it look like chrome. The bike in the picture is a old Raleigh Racing bike and the wheels and all the aluminum parts were corroded so bad they felt dirty to the touch. The wheels were almost black with corrosion. All the parts on the bike are aluminum except the frame. A month ago I needed a ST/46 motor to fly a large old stunt plane built. I got out one of the ST/46 motors that I built 20+ years ago. I did a quick rebuilt and it still looked like junk. It was black with build up from 3000+ flights. So why not clean it up like I do the bike parts. It took a hour but it looks better than new. I then did a couple of Froom spinners and then  did some mufflers. The Muffler on the ST/46 had not been cleaned in a long time and I thought it was beyond help. The ST/51 muffler was a dull gray and had a lot of burnt fuel on it.
 Here is how you can do it. If things are not to bad just clean them with steel wool and then us Mothers aluminum-mag wheel cleaner on it. If the part is bad sand it with 220 sand paper and follow with some fine paper then steel wheel. It should be shinny aluminum. Now rub it out with the aluminum polish and it will look like chrome. On bike parts I spend a lot of time but I did the mufflers in about 10 minutes each. I have run the motor and the muffler and they do not start to get build up any faster than when new maybe slower as the surface is very smooth. I had tried a lot of methods on the old Froom spinners but none were as good as this.

[EddyR]

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[EddyR]

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[EddyR]

That looks like one of my venturis on the (clean) tiger. Where'd you get that?

I make them
Ed

[kenneth cook]

          Hello Ed, I have to inquire about the Raleigh. Is that a Super Course? It appears to have 700 C rims and Presta valves. Unless replaced, that was the model that Raleigh used to introduce those size  tires and rims with. If I recall, brakes, cranks, and also derailluers were all Campagnola. I personally enjoy those older models. New technology has made most older models obsolete, but I truly like the styling of the lugged frames that were used. Ken

[EddyR]

Ken
 It is a 1972 Gran Sport up dated to a Professional
Hare is a 1972 Super Course The black shows off the polished aluminum
 I will send you a email about them. I ride a modern bike more than these oldies
Ed

[Steve Riebe]

I like the crock pot method. Overnight in antifreeze will usually restore the original appearance to sand cast or polished.

[FLOYD CARTER]

To polish aluminum parts, I use "Blue Magic" from auto parts store.

F.C.

[Randy Ryan]

I like the crock pot method. Overnight in antifreeze will usually restore the original appearance to sand cast or polished.

You have to be very careful with some STs in antifreeze, some cases are painted and it will take it off.