Clear coat coat over polished aluminium.

[toglhot]

I've clear coated most of the polished aluminium, smaller bits, just have the wheels to finish. Unfortunately, the clear coat dulls the shine quite a bit. Funny stuff to spray on polished aluminium: I had to spray a very light coat first, give it a few minutes then hit it again with a heavier coat so the paint would pool and flatten out. Still a bit of orange peel though, particularly on the triangular engine mount. The clear coat doesn't behave the same over painted surfaces, just polished aluminium, very disappointed in the finish. I may not clear coat the wheels as they'd be hard to get the clear to pool, there's a very fine line between pooling and a run. Float coating seems to just run and build up on the edges.

 

[cra-z1]

The parts look very nice. I have never clear coated any of my polished parts. I tend to wipe them down after a ride and maybe a little hand polishing with some compound. Some of my parts that are 12 years old are starting to show their age but still look great. Hope the clear holds up for you. If the bike gets ridden in rain and winter salts well maybe the clear is a good idea but most of these restorations are taken out on the nicer days. That being said I have been caught in rain on a few of my bikes but have wiped them down as soon as possible.

 

[toglhot]

The bike will never be ridden while I haven it, that's the only reason I'm coating them, so they should stand up OK.

Some more bits. I coated these a few weeks ago. I've decided to strip the side panels as they just didn't come up to scratch. I'll be painting them black, probably look better in black anyway.

 

[xjwmx]

I would just keep them shined. I think the whole appeal is only the elbow grease that went into it and clear coating is obvious and trying to cheat. Not going to work.

 

[nighthog]

A trick I picked up from Gary is to apply a coat of wax furniture polish which does a good job in preserving the shine. Easy and cheap.

 

[gggGary]

This stuff (fork legs, calipers) was powder coated clear at least 20 years ago. Has stood up well but as you say not the same as polished.
When I got it in 2013 coating already years old?

2018

2021

Dust In the Wind
Kansas
I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

(Now) don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy.

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.

 

[RC4MAN]

Powder Coat holds up better, more durable than rattle can clear.