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My build thread - 72 XS650
- Thread starter 72XS2
- Start date
I started to sand them with 320 or 600, 1000, 1500 and finally 2000, always with water. Then I polish them with brown then red polishing compound. After, I finish it with Mother's Billet metal polish. It takes a lot of time and patience too.
scarface6477
XS650 Enthusiast
good work bud. i have a 72 also. i need to get to work on it and catch up to you. nice polishing also.
Thanks bro !
Looks good. Nice to see another one come back to life. Takes a lot of time a work. Took me two years to get it how I wanted it.
PetesPonies
XS650 Addict
Not that your final result isn't perfect . . but I always finish buffing with blue compound. It leaves a surface that needs nothing else done to it.
Which blue compound do you use? It's not the first time that I hear something about it but I don't know what it is. I use red (jewelers rouge) polishing compound for finishing but sometimes, it leaves some very little scratch and I can get rid of them with Billet Mothers Polish. I'm not a expert but I try to do it this way and the results are good.
PetesPonies
XS650 Addict
Although you can get it anywhere, here is what Caswell Plating says about it:
BLUE ROUGE BAR
This compound is a drier, less greasy version, of what is commonly known as jeweler's rouge. It had no cutting action, and can therefore be used on thin gold and silver plates without damage. It is ideal for bringing up an extremely high quality polish on you finest pieces. It is also the perfect compound for polishing Bakelite. Ideal for use after the white bar.
I use it to buff everything . . plastic, aluminum, stainless whatever.
BLUE ROUGE BAR
This compound is a drier, less greasy version, of what is commonly known as jeweler's rouge. It had no cutting action, and can therefore be used on thin gold and silver plates without damage. It is ideal for bringing up an extremely high quality polish on you finest pieces. It is also the perfect compound for polishing Bakelite. Ideal for use after the white bar.
I use it to buff everything . . plastic, aluminum, stainless whatever.
Dozer281
XS650 Enthusiast
Where is the progress on this one? Any updates? Looks great so far. For the frame would a soda blaster and some rattle can paint work?
Progress is very slow now, everything is ready for rebuild. Budget is tight now but it would be ok in a couple of weeks. For the frame, sandblast and powdercoat. It will be more durable this way.
Here's two drawing that I've made (sorry, I'm not very good with drawing).
You need to pry the metal ring that keeps the guage parts together. Do it carefully because it's thin. Yo can use a flat screwdriver but I tried with the head of a nail and it worked great. You will be able to access the screw. You can use blue loctite on them but not too much.
After, I use a c-clamp with a piece of wood to compress the guage on the worktable, you don't need to go hard with it, just enough to compress the rubber seal to be able to reinstall the metal ring correctly. Use a hammer with a soft punch and reinstall the metal ring slowly.
Do it with care, I hope it helps.
Dozer281
XS650 Enthusiast
I have read a few threads on here and a few other forums about doing your own powder coating and it doesn't seem too hard or expensive. You may want to look into it.
I know that it's possible to do it at home but I prefer to let a shop do it. They have more experience than me and I don't have something big enough to "bake" it. Maybe I will try it on smaller parts.
PetesPonies
XS650 Addict
I've powder coated anything that fits in an oven. I have an oven in my shop. I have a cheap powder gun, but it works OK for small stuff. Largest thing I have done is wheels.
Dozer281
XS650 Enthusiast
I was looking into this too so I hopped on CL and was able to find some old ovens for as little as 30 bucks and saw the cheap starters kit on harbor freight that seems like it may do the job.
"http://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-psi-powder-coating-system-94244.html"
I don't think I would try it in my kitchen oven but buying a cheap oven for the garage seems like it may be a viable option. Either way, I understand your concern and the want to leave it to the pros. I just thought it seemed easy enough to try my hand at it and see what happens.
Finally, my restoration will continue. I ordered a lot of parts today so I'll wait for them and begin to reassemble my parts.
uknowme2goog
XS650,1980, Bobber
great pictures...you did a great job polishing...
Thanks 2good
