clearcoat on covers

[exeric]

My wife has a later model Sportster that is in beautiful original condition with the exception of the primary cover and gear cover. The clear coating on the polished aluminum covers has flaked off in spots and the aluminum has oxidized. Does anyone know of a good process for removing the clear coat so the aluminum can be re-polished. Also, what type of clearcoat should be applied after the covers are polished.

[yhprum]

I stripped the clear off my assembled engine using ordinary paint , taking care not to get any on anything else. It came off quite easily with a rag. Then I polished with a buff wheel on a die grinder. Waxed it and left it.
I read this elsewhere about Gibbs brand but never tried it. Maybe someone here has and can report the results. Might save reapplying clear.
http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/


Good Luck, Steve

[exeric]

Thanks for your reply Steve. That Gibbs Brand penetrant sounds too good to be true, but if it works it would be exactly what I've been looking for.

[koanes]

A friend in town that does powdercoating for a living recently showed me some polished aluminum pieces that he had done with a new clear powder. Very tough and looked exactly like the factory finish when new.

[yhprum]

I found another product that may be similar to Gibbs
http://www.corrotherm.com/coricone.htm

There is also something called ZOOP that the hotrod guys use on polished aluminum.

Steve