Cleaning up the swingarm

[Motoequip]

What do you guys do to clean up the swing arm?

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/Equipingu/?action=view&current=DSC00672.jpg

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a226/Equipingu/?action=view&current=DSC00645.jpg

[thrillbillie56]

if you know how to polish a frame try that. Or you could strip the old letters off, sand down the big bumps and get one of those swingarm decals that cover the whole side of it.

[new2blu]

How did you scrape it up that bad? Simple Green is all I need to clean mine--but that won't work for yours. Maybe try sanding and polishing it??

[xr250ryder]

For starters I'd use a heat gun and a razor blade to get the plastic off. When I did that on my bike I got both sides off in about 2 minutes. Then try polishing it, that will take a while though.

[Motoequip]

Thanks guys, what grit sandpaper do you use and what kind of polish?

[Valerie]

A heat gun or hair dryer and a straight razor to take off the graphic. Just be careful not to did the razor into the metal.

Brake cleaner may work to. If not Goo Gone - let it sit for a few minutes.

A scothbrite pad should be all you need to shine it and clean it up. Just make sure you go with the grain of the metal while doing it. And use it lightly.

[Bleeds_Blue]

Moto,

I would start with a razor, followed with some brake cleaner(will take off anything left). If you have some nicks, gouges, or boogers you need to remove try a flat screwdriver to knock them down, or like previously mentioned fine grit sandpaper. I would knock down whatever need be and take some scotchbrite, with brake cleaner, and scrub it into a pattern(most likely back and forth or in circles, but do both the same way). It will give the arm a good surface for the next decal to adhere to or a smooth look if left blank. Just some more ideas for ya. Good luck bro.

[Bleeds_Blue]

A heat gun or hair dryer and a straight razor to take off the graphic. Just be careful not to did the razor into the metal.

Brake cleaner may work to. If not Goo Gone - let it sit for a few minutes.

A scothbrite pad should be all you need to shine it and clean it up. Just make sure you go with the grain of the metal while doing it. And use it lightly.

I just noticed I wrote the same thing Val did...echooooo. Oh well.

[thrillbillie56]

Thanks guys, what grit sandpaper do you use and what kind of polish?

Now that I take another look at your pictures, you probably could get away with just a scotchbrite pad instead of sanding it. I use 3M Super Duty rubbing compound to polish my frame and it works great.? On the bottle it says it takes out grade 1000 scratches, but I've taken out 800 grit sandpaper scratches with it and it's supposed to be used with a machine. If you dont have a machine (I like to use a hand grinder with a buffing wheel, but if you dont have that either, a drill with a bufffing wheel would probably work too) 3M also makes a rubbing compoud called Perfect It II that I belive is supposed to remove either 1,100 or 1,200 and finer scratches by hand.

[Valerie]

I just noticed I wrote the same thing Val did...echooooo. Oh well.

Great minds think alike!!!!!! :crazy:

[GCannon]

Isn't there a clear anodize or a protective coating on the Aluminum? I would resist the temptation to assault the swing arm with sandpaper since it may turn gray but as long as you don't mind polishing it frequently than you should be good to go. If they did not put something on the bare Aluminum wouldn't it turn gray and get surface corrosion?

[dmoney1074]

This is what I did to mine...

[Motoequip]

This is what I did to mine...

I like that, what is it and where do I get one and how much was it? I took off the stickers, but haven't polished it yet. This look alot easier...

[dmoney1074]

Its custom, not a kit... I bought the carbon fiber ultracurve vinal stickers from motosport, then cut to fit. The the one industries swingarm graphics go over it.

[GCannon]

I must admit that is pretty cool looking:thumbsup:

[dmoney1074]

I must admit that is pretty cool looking:thumbsup:

Thanks... my swingarm was sooo ratty I had to do something!