Cleaning a Sovereign bar

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

My sovereign bar is looking a bit chatty when viewed up close. How does everyone clean - what are you using not just for the chrome bits but also the main bumper bits?

[Syzprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close Syzprado]

I use an aluminium cleaner form supercheap. I cant remember the brand but I will have a look for you.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Beyond normal car wash soap I've never cleaned mine. It's as dull as. I don't think the previous owner did or if it's possible to bring back to the original shine.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I use a stuff called purple, a lot of truckies use it on their chrome bullbars etc.....[IMG][/IMG]
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.......Cheers Steve

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Autosol is what I'd use, same as Purple
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl....aspx?pid=1880

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

I want mine to look like that. Thanks for the lead.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi Terry, just a tip. Cover the black plastic bits with some masking tape or the like so you dont get the polish on it. Saves a bit of work after trying to get it off the plastic........Cheers steve

[rubbishcop Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rubbishcop]

How much did you use the buff on, the whole bar? Thanks for advice Steve M..

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yeah Mate the whole thing. There wasnt much left of that fluffy white thing on the drill. But was only a few $$ anyway.... Took me a day. It was dull as shit when I bought the car, dont think it had ever seen polish in its life.....Cheers Steve

[Marcus73 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Marcus73]

Autosol is what I'd use, same as Purple
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl....aspx?pid=1880

I beg to differ. I tend to start with Autosol and then finish off with Purple as I find Autosol is more aggressive. I use a Mother Powercone ( think that's what it's called ) and use it with my drill on a lower speed. Only problem being they're $70. You'll never get the bottom of the bar to look new again unless you start wet sanding and that all just gets too hard.

Reminds me.... It's been about 3mths since I did mine, must be due

[bucket Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bucket]

I used 1500 wet and dry with plenty of water to get the oxidation off when I got my Prado, it had dulled badly, the previous owner had never cleaned it I reckon. Anyway I followed up with autosol and a buff wheel like Steve M used and now it looks a treat. Only have to do it lightly every 3-4 months now.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

I sit in the same boat as r4dnll. The bars look good but they dull so quick, I can't wait to get rid of mine..no wonder the manufacturer went bust....I'd never buy an alloy bar just for this reason alone. When you see a shiny one it's about to be sold or the persons just picked it up??

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

I've never had one, but couldn't you spray the bar with a clear coat that would permanently stop the dulling?

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

^ a reply from possibly not the best qualified person..but yes I believe it could slow the dulling/oxidation. The posts come up OK (hollow), its the bottom cast bit that never looks good again. Really another step/cost to do, you may have to put up cardboard behind the bar but I believe it would help some parts?? Have never tried tho!!

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

I used to polish the alloy rails on my boat with brasso , I used every other polish with the exception of purple which was recently recommended to me for chrome work . brasso was the best , but it takes some elbow grease . if the alloy is really dull , hit it with 1000 or 1200 wet and dry then the brasso and you will get a mirror finish .