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Polished stainless steel motorcycle parts
Despite its significant and remarkable properties, stainless steel, like any material that is exposed to large amounts of stress, has to be properly cared for. The chromium oxide skin, while highly scratch-resistant, does wear away after awhile. In the case of something as delicate and stressful as motorcycle parts, the wearing away of the protective layer can have disastrous results. Here is a quick guide to caring for your polished stainless steel motorcycle parts including some tips on how to keep them looking great.
Selecting the right polish
Sometimes, caring for polished stainless steel motorcycle parts can be as simple as rubbing them down with a soft cloth and polish. Sadly, many riders neglect to do this, and as the number of motorcycles sold every year increases, so does the number of accidents caused by rider negligence. There were over one million motorcycles sold in 2005 for a total of 56 million motorcycles worldwide. Out of all these motorcycle bikers, one out of every thousand got into accidents caused by corroded parts. That amounts to 56,000 accidents caused by corrosion in 2005 alone, with more than a fourth of them being fatal. All these accidents could have been prevented by cleaning the polished stainless steel motorcycle parts regularly and preventing the onset of wear and corrosion.
The best polishes to use for polished stainless steel motorcycle parts have a potent combination of ammonia, perchloroethylene, and acetone, and they usually come in the form of a spray-on solution. Combined with a non-scratching rag, this powerful mix of chemicals will protect the sensitive chromium oxide armor of your polished stainless steel motorcycle parts, and prevent the skin from wearing away prematurely. The acetone will break up any chemicals and oils that attempt to attach themselves to your stainless steel motorcycle accessories. It is also particularly effective in removing exhaust stains from the tail pipe and tip. Also, be sure to use a non-scratching cloth or rag to polish the motorcycle parts.
Safety first
When cleaning your bike, remember that you are handling very strong, potentially dangerous chemicals. As such, you should exercise the proper precautionary measures people who deal with hazardous chemicals take. Never attempt to handle the cleaning solution with your bare hands. Use gloves that are anti-corrosive and resistant to damaging chemicals. In most cases, wearing surgical masks and protective eyewear is also essential to protect the sensitive tissues of your eyes and nose. In some cases, the cleaning fluid emits fumes that are potentially toxic. Perchloroethylene, while effective in removing particles of dirt and grime from the polished stainless steel motorcycle parts, is also suspected to be a carcinogen, though no research has been performed to prove it yet. Follow these simple procedures and you can keep your bike and yourself safe and road-worthy.