Polishing '14 yz450f

I use this stuff called aluminator. It comes in a gallon jug and the way I apply it is you put some on a dry rag and rub it in then have a damp rag to take it off. It is awesome stuff and it will make your frame look new! I will look in a little bit and let you know who makes it and where you can get it. Oh yea, use gloves when you are around this stuff!

While that deep in pull the swingarm and grease those needle bearings.

Pull the wheels off and knock out the bearings and grease those to,some are held in by a snap ring.

Use a utility blade to pop a seal off one side of the bearing ,turn that side in when installing them back incase the seal is compromised any.

On Weston's sx bikes I had the linkages polished. Used a dremel with a sanding roll to clean all the casting marks and then just used a buffing wheel on them.

Right on, you are rare in the mx world.

I could never understand how people could get their suspension valved and stick it back on with the bearings squeaking like a doorhinge.

I had my 2011 450 all done up. I know its a 2011 yz but still it came out great with the black frame and swing arm.

That looks mint with the black frame!!

Powder coated?? I have a '13 YZ450F and I was wondering if it would look nice done in black...

As far as cleaning up that worked in dirt off the frame and engine, have you thought about an industrial aluminium cleaner like an etching type acid cleaner? I'm not sure how it would go on the painted and rubber parts on your bike, but I had great results with a brand we have over here when I used it on a friends CRF that I had rebuilt from the ground up, came out like new and still looks good 12 months later.

If you want that "factory" look then all you need is Simple Green/Purple Power (I use Mean Green, same thing) and Scotch Brite. It's not going to be polished, but it looks the best to me.

Actually that factory super clean look comes from Sos pad. Its not polished but looks shiny and new.

Yea there are a few ways to do it. Can't argue with your results though!

I used to polish aluminum fuel tanks for a heavy truck dealership. To get a truly "mirror-like" shine go to the auto parts store and get yourself some 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 grit sand paper., as well as some polishing compound and aluminum polish. Make sure to tape off the bearings to prevent any aluminum dust from getting in them. Start sanding by hand and try to stay with the grain of the aluminum. Go through all of the grit ratings and press only lightly and always sand in the same direction. That is to say sand vertically or horizontally but not both if possible. Once you get to the polishing compound/rubbing compound you can use any rag you can you moderate pressure but take your time as you don't want to gouge the metal. Finally use the aluminum polish with a microfiber towel using light pressure, make sure the towel is clean and has no contaminants such as oil or gasoline. You can substitute a wading product such as never dull for the aluminum polish. If you have access to a buffing wheel and a rouge block you can eliminate the rubbing compound, but still should do the other steps for the best results. If using a buffing wheel use moderate pressure with slow moving passes. Too much pressure will gouge the metal and if your passes are to fast it will mark the metal in a way that looks like tiger stripes.

It seems counter intuitive to sand the metal but I assure you you will not take enough material off to weaken anything. Keeping up with the Polish is a pain in the ass, but after washing the bike make sure you dry the polished pieces and put down another coat of aluminum polish. It should keep it's shine up for a while if you keep up with it. You'll get your best results with patience and time. Have fun it takes a while