I've seen a lot of people that have hand-polished a lot of their aluminum ATV parts, and I was wondering How to do this. Can I do it successfuly on my swingarm skidplate, HPD pipe, and my stock silencer? Thanks.

 

Get a small tub of Mothers Aluminum ploish. Put a small glob on a rag, and rub the snot out of it. It will look better than new. Keep a lot of rags handy. It's kind of messy, but worth it.

As far as the pipe goes, I used Simple Green, and a scotch bright pad. Use the Mothers on anything aluminum. I'm taking for granted you have a nickel plated pipe.

 

Try a product called Heavy Metal, works much better than Mother's with half the rubbing or buffing. Comes in three different formula's.

 

If it is painted you need to remove the paint first. The easiest way i have found is a wire brush that attaches to a drill. It removes everything quickly. Then use some 200 grit all the way up to 800 grit sandpaper and keep sanding until it becomes nice and smooth. Then get a buffing wheel either attatching to a grinder or drill and some buffing rouhge. Then buff the hell out of it. It takes time but the longer you do it the better the shine. I did the whole motor on one of my trikes and it took about 5 hours every night for 2 weeks. It is definitely worth the work.

 

If you need to remove paint or clear coat prior to polishing use hardwood floor stripper and a cheap paint brush to remove the paint or clear coat. No scratches, less work. Oh, and be certain to use rubber gloves. You can also send to Eastwood Automotive for a video on polishing which is worth it if you're going to get the "polishing bug". You'll have to search for the web site. ( And I think Eastwoods is now owned bt Sears. )