BMW R90/6 Cafe

[ncologerojr]

I can't weld for shit, but I used to think I was pretty good at polishing. And now you have blown that myth out of the water. :-(

Do you mind sharing how you managed to get that shine and what you used? I get that new 3000 series alloy is soft and easier to polish than old engine side covers but that shine is impressive.

Haha thanks, but it’s not that impressive.

The softer 1100/3000 aluminum alloys are actually more difficult to polish in the end. They initially sand a bit easier, but it’s much more difficult to get the final shine because it’s so easy to scratch. You actually end up smearing the surface which leads to hazy areas.

I’ve polished a lot of aluminum, and the honest trick is just work and patience. If you don’t get the results you’re after, it’s because you shorted a step. Don’t move forward until you’ve completely sanded/buffed away the previous step. Sometimes you have to go all the way back to wet sanding.

I wet sanded up to 400 grit, than sisal wheel with black compound, treated vented buff with black, untreated vented buff with brown, stitched buff with white, hand polish with Mother’s aluminum polish.

I get my supplies from Caswell Plating.

 

[trek97]

How much pressure do you apply into the wheel? Do you let the piece get hot?

Working on engine covers, lowers, etc

I get a decent shine w the red then it goes "milky" once I move to the white.

So, I go back to the red and it shines up again. and I quit.

 

[ncologerojr]

How much pressure do you apply into the wheel? Do you let the piece get hot?

Working on engine covers, lowers, etc

I get a decent shine w the red then it goes "milky" once I move to the white.

So, I go back to the red and it shines up again. and I quit.

Pressure depends on what stage your at, and your buffer. I basically apply however much pressure is needed to get the job done, if that makes sense. I buff in opposing directions so I can see if I’m removing the previous scratches, if not, I’ll try leaning into it a little more. Towards the final stages I’ll use less pressure. I let the part get hot during the early buffing stages, I don’t see how you can avoid it.

The red is Jewelers Rouge and used after the white. It basically has no cutting action, it’s meant to bring out the materials color. Unless your using some sort of compound I haven’t seen.

If your getting milky appearance after using the white, you haven’t done a good enough job on the earlier stages. It sucks because you don’t see it until the end. The part always looks it’s worst right before it’s best.

This tank has 5hrs of polishing, and I have a decent of polishing experience on this type of aluminum. If you’re having to experiment to find what works best for a particular alloy, it can be very time consuming.

 

[trek97]

Haha, funny to find out how I been doing it wrong the whole time.

Thanks so much for education and your time writing all this.

 

[Jimbonaut]

Yes, thank you indeed. Some invaluable information here on how to polish aluminium - I also really appreciate the time taken to explain your process.

 

[ncologerojr]

Yes, thank you indeed. Some invaluable information here on how to polish aluminium - I also really appreciate the time taken to explain your process.

Haha, funny to find out how I been doing it wrong the whole time.

Thanks so much for education and your time writing all this.

No problem. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I’m always happy to share my experience.

 

[ncologerojr]

I know it’s been a while since the last update. Things got busy in the shop/home and the bmw had to take the backseat for a bit. But, it’s up and running and I’ve been out getting it dialed in. This bike pulls way harder than I expected, and is super smooth on the road. I’ll be pushing it harder as I get more comfortable. I’m also coordinating with the photographer to get some glamour shots.

https://youtu.be/zJWAsu-dbwA

 

[ncologerojr]

My buddies held their first car & bike show at their law firm so I brought the R90.

 

[pidjones]

So nice. Don't know if it will clear your exhaust, but spools and a padock stand would be nice - maybe a stand out of polished aluminum.

A warning about the shows - they can be addictive. I've been to ten this year with eight more on the schedule. And if they don't advertise as both car & bike - even though they may tell you they want bikes too - be prepared to be the only bike there, or one of two.

 

[ncologerojr]

So nice. Don't know if it will clear your exhaust, but spools and a padock stand would be nice - maybe a stand out of polished aluminum.

A warning about the shows - they can be addictive. I've been to ten this year with eight more on the schedule. And if they don't advertise as both car & bike - even though they may tell you they want bikes too - be prepared to be the only bike there, or one of two.

Thanks! I’m going to make a stand that will connect to the old center-stand mounts, just didn’t have time before this event.

I’ve been building bikes for customers for almost 10 years now, and this is the first bike I’ve ever put in a show. I did it to support my friends event. The owner wants to put this one in the Brooklyn Invitational, but otherwise I just like being a spectator.

 

[Jimbonaut]

What a looker. I just put your ride up for Bike of the Month, head over there and accept the nomination my man!

 

[adventurco]

Wow, all the pieces came together exceptionally well. Its hard to get a full picture when you're seeing detailed shots of one part at a time. You knocked this one out of the park!

 

[ncologerojr]

What a looker. I just put your ride up for Bike of the Month, head over there and accept the nomination my man!

Wow. Thanks so much man!

 

[ncologerojr]

Wow, all the pieces came together exceptionally well. Its hard to get a full picture when you're seeing detailed shots of one part at a time. You knocked this one out of the park!

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

 

[ncologerojr]

I was so flattered by the BOM nomination that I went outside and took a few decent shots. Thanks again for the support!

uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190722/24e9a28b47f9c11f8b1b23fc67b6ed26.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Kanticoy]

Very nice fab work! I suck at looking at this forum so it was cool to see you represented on BOTM to turn me on to the work. I’m a BMW guy too and have built 3 or 4 of them. They look good wearing alloy! Here’s my last Beemer mongrel, so you can see I appreciate certain aspects of your build!

 

[sandmanred]

Looks fantastic! You'll get my vote!

 

[ncologerojr]

Very nice fab work! I suck at looking at this forum so it was cool to see you represented on BOTM to turn me on to the work. I’m a BMW guy too and have built 3 or 4 of them. They look good wearing alloy! Here’s my last Beemer mongrel, so you can see I appreciate certain aspects of your build!

Thanks so much man! I am the same way on here, I was happy to be turned on to your build too. This is my first beemer build, but I definitely caught the bug. I’m sure it won’t be my last. That’s a great bike, very cool lines.

 

[ncologerojr]

Looks fantastic! You'll get my vote!

Thanks! I appreciate the support.

 

[Maritime]

I pity the bikes that go up against this one. maybe just make it BOTM by default LOL.