Lacquer ..or not?

[Adrian90s]

Just got my rear wheel hubs back from the polisher...all bits done to a mirror finish, though not asked for.
Do I try lacquering the hubs or leave as is? Also the Takasogi rim was re-chromed. Looks beautiful like new with the date stamp intact.
Though newer than my 73 bike it looks great. My front wheel will get the same treatment.
Ady Z1a

[Pigford]

Lacquer is good if it is done right.... any grease/dirt, etc and it'll peel and look shite pretty quick!

[ADRIAN H]

Not sure lacquer will stay on highly polished aluminium ?

Who rechromed your rims. I have a pair that need doing ?

Adrian

[Garry.L]

Not sure lacquer will stay on highly polished aluminium ?

Adrian

What he said. You'd need to scotch pad the alloy down to give it a key.

A decent application with a good polish will give some protection to polished alloy, but will need regular top ups.

[Adrian90s]

Yorkshire Metal finishers, Near Morley, Leeds
01132723926
The rim is beautiful but a 75' and I've nothing else to use, stainless spokes coming from Oz.
Ady

[snowyz9]

No will go fluffy ,

[Philippe]

Hi Ady
I use a special clear coat on all the polished alloy of the bikes. It's from Restom (a French brand) and specially developed for light alloys. It's very important to degrease all the alloy parts with aceton before applying the clear coat. When applied allow the clear coat to dry for about one week. After that week I put the parts in an oven and bake the clear coated parts for two hours at 125 °C. When taking the parts out the clear coat is sticky so don't touch it. When cooled down the clear coat is resistant to fuel and oil. When applied correctly, it stays on and doesn't peel off.
I do this since years and the alloy stays shiny.
The clear coat is developed for engine parts (I don't use it on the cylinder or cylinderhead) so it's heat resistant.
If you don't have a heated workshop don't use it now, you need at least 15° C (more is better) to apply the clear coat!
GrtZ
Philippe

[Adrian90s]

Thanks Phillipe,
Is their a English lacquer equivalent? Or can I search the internet?
Will heating effect the bearings in the hub?
I suspect so
Ady

[Philippe]

Hi Ady
you can search the internet for "Restom". The site is in French. Maybe there are distributors in the UK, I have no idea.
I think it would be best to remove the bearings before putting them in the oven...I allways replace them anyway. They could also be affected by the use of aceton... so play on the safe side, remove them and replace them.
GrtZ
Philippe

[8 Valve Mark]

what about clear, powder coating? cheap and low maintenance.