Aluminum or steel or chrome?

[Coop]

I just bought a nice 1966 Dream. I am trying to figure out what to use to clean up the metal brackets on the rear fender that connect to the top of the shocks. Is that aluminum, chrome, steel? Any suggestions on what to use to polish this?<br />Thanks<br />Coop

[ryan_siefrin]

it's aluminum, what i did was sand, then i wetsanded it into a nice polished finish.

[kustommusic]

Coop, Many parts on these old Hondas are aluminum that is clear coated. as they age the clear starts to kinda go away and moisture gets under there and corrodes the alum. So Ryan is right fer sure, you gotta sand off the clear down to the alum. and work with the surface. Getting it to shine like chrome or a nice satin finish,whatever you like. If your not sure what is chrome and what is aluminum use a magnet,you don't want to sand chrome. Good luck, Steve Greer

[Coop]

Thanks for the tips. I used a bit of rubbing compound and can see the shine coming thru. Thanks for the tip!<br />Coop

[ryan_siefrin]

yeah, i thought there was some kind of coating on it. mine was flaking and brown though. Glad they cleaned up so easily.

[mikescottt]

Does anyone know if the original alum. came looking like chrome or a satin finish From the factory. ? How did the hubs look from the factory. Im trying to keep my 64 restoration as original as possible. Thanks.

[kustommusic]

Mike It was a satin finish for sure,some guys(like me ) just cant help themselves! Steve Greer