Polishing aluminium

[531 pro]

I've acquired a rather tatty silver Cinelli XA stem. I've got grand ideas about restoring it but i'm having some second thoughts! It's got lots of light surface scratches, and the top of it has a kind of worn patch where it's gone through the anodizing. Could i use 400/600/1200 grit, followed by cutting compound to bring it back to life? Or has anyone had any cycle components 'pre treated' and then re-anodized? Or is that a bit over the top...!

 

[nj_cisca]

Ive got an old sakae quill stem and the black finish was getting really tatty. Got a local powder coater to chemical dip it (didnt even charge me!) then polished with light oil and steel wool. Came out really nice and cost almost nothing.

 

[chipper]

http://www.raydobbins.com/polishing/

 

[cbrown]

Re-anodising is definately an option and would be best long-term. Otherwise I don't see any problem with sanding smooth and polishing but to get an even finish you'll have to take the anodised layer off all over and then you'll need to re-polish periodically.

Cheaper if you polish it, easier if you get it anodised.

Watch you don't significantly change the diameter and end up with it loose in the headset!

 

[bikenut2010]

Seems a common problem, easy to take a bit of wet and dry to remove a scratch but then you have a really shiny patch against the anodised finish...So...Oven cleaner to remove ALL the anodising ( do it outdoors! ) then 400 dry/600 and soap /1200 and oil and I use Solvol Autosol... gives a mirror finish but you'll never have that sweet satin look unless you get it re-anodised imho :cry:

 

[lorenzo]

If you want a brushed type finish as opposed to polished you can use to fine wire wool and plenty of wd40 to good effect. It's not going to be the same as anodised but it will dull down and shine you get trying to rub out any scratches.

 

[531 pro]

thanks very much

thanks for the tips - that's great advice.

 

[Nob]

Contact these guys as I had alot of stuff anodised & polished for my Parlee & Martin Pyne Project bike. Bars & seatpost also manufactured by them for my MP Project bike
http://www.midengineering.co.uk/index.html

 

[Tel]

I can polish your stem for £20 if you send it to me.