How to Polish Sportbike Frames

A polished sportbike frame will look like chrome. In order for the frame to look shiny and glossy, it has to be perfectly smooth. This do-it-yourself project will take the better part of a weekend, since you should take your time and work methodically to make sure that you polish every centimeter of the frame.

Things You'll Need

• Dish detergent
• Water hose
• Plastic or cardboard
• Paint thinner
• Spray bottle
• Clean towels
• Oven cleaner
• Orbital sander
• 320 grit sandpaper
• 400 grit sandpaper
• 600 grit sandpaper
• 800 grit sandpaper
• 1200 grit sandpaper
• 2000 grit sandpaper
• Brown cutting compound
• Red or rouge cutting compound
• Flannel cloth

Instructions

Prepare the Frame

1. Wash the frame of your sportbike thoroughly using a liquid dish detergent and water hose. This will remove any debris, which makes polishing the frame easier. Allow the frame to dry completely.

2. Lay a large sheet of plastic or cardboard on the floor. This will protect the frame from being scratched by the concrete while you are polishing it. Ideally, you should work in a well-ventilated, covered area. A garage with the door open is a good option. Place the frame on the plastic or cardboard.

3. Remove any paint from the frame using paint thinner. You can use a spray bottle to spray the paint thinner onto the frame and then wipe it off with a clean towel. Another option is to pour paint thinner onto a towel and wipe the frame. You should work from top to bottom when you do this. Rinse off the frame and allow it to dry.

4. Look at the frame. If you notice any areas that look like brushed aluminum, your bike has anodized areas. You will need to remove the anodized areas using regular-strength oven cleaner. Spray the oven cleaner on the frame and leave it alone for 15 minutes. Wipe it off with a clean towel using circular motions. If you still see anodized areas, repeat this process, but leave the oven cleaner on the frame for 8 minutes. If you leave the oven cleaner on too long, it may cause pitting.

5. Rinse off the frame and place it on a clean piece of plastic or cardboard. Throw away the old plastic or cardboard.

Sand the Frame

1. Sand the frame with an orbital sander. You need to start with wet 320 grit sandpaper. Make sure that the sandpaper and frame stay wet any time you are sanding. You can sand the crevasses by hand. Make sure you get the entire frame. Turn the frame as you work so you can sand all of the frame.

2. Continue to wet-sand the frame using 400 grit sandpaper, followed by 600 grit sandpaper, 800 grit sandpaper, 1,200 grit sanpaper and finally 2,000 grit sand paper. With each new grit, you should remove the scuffs and scratches made by the previous grit. Take your time to ensure that all imperfections are sanded out. By the time you finish sanding with the 2,000 grit sandpaper, the frame should be as smooth as glass.

3. Buff the frame using the orbital sander. You will need an automotive buffer pad and a brown cutting compound. This will polish the frame. Wash the frame with dish detergent and allow it to dry.

4. Polish the frame using the orbital sander, a clean polishing pad and a red or rouge cutting compound. Once you have polished the entire frame using the red cutting compound, it should be very shiny, almost like chrome.

5. Wipe off the frame with a flannel cloth to remove smudges.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves and a respirator when you are polishing the frame of your sportbike.

Resources

• Find the supplies to polish your sportbike