Is there any way to repair a scratched stantion tube?
scratched uppers
- Thread starter ELOC1TROUT
- Start date
fill the scratch with nail polish, epoxy, or JB Weld, let it dry, sand down with SUPER-fine wet-dri sandpaper, something like 600g would be the absolute roughest I'd use, 1200 is more appropriate. Keep the whole thing wet with oil while you're doing it. Polish it out until it's smooth enough for your liking (i.e. won't catch your fingernail, totally imperceptible, etc). It won't look pretty but it'll work.
I saw a guy usign 2000g this weekend, and then like 3 different rubbing compounds, then wax. But that was to restore a car paintjob. 200g might not be strong enough to get through aluminum and anodising.
Take it to a motorcycle shop or some other PRECISION machine shop who fixes fork tubes and have them work their magic. If you go at it with sand paper and take off a tiny bit too much the leg is fvcked for good.
(this is one of the few things on a bike that I won't do myself).
(this is one of the few things on a bike that I won't do myself).
I made a brew of gold metal paint and nail polish to fix stantions. Ive had a nasty stantion scratching habit. This is the first year I have'nt dinged the stantion before season started!
I'm going to attempt to fix mine this afternoon. I've got very fine steel wool, and will probably try and get some JB weld. The scratch isn't too deep, so should I file it first or fill it with JB, let it cure, then file the JB down? I've got some teflon wax I may apply to finish things off and make it a bit smoother. Any suggestions on the process would be greatly appreciated.
Dude, don't go scrubbing away at it with the steel wool just yet. You really need to get the 1200 grit wet sand paper. Its definatly worth the trip over to the hardware store to swipe a sheet. And make sure while you are sanding away to use plenty of oil as lubrication. Just take you time and go slow. Don't rush it or try to make due with what you have on hand. Get the right tools and it will be no problem.
Used #0000 steel wool, with some turtle wax aluminum scratch and polish compound, then eagle metal polish, and it worked great. The scratch is visually still there, but it's much smoother. I'm still working on buffing it lightly, but it's much better.