The Care & Cleaning of Your Anodized Parts

Basic Care Tips for your Anodized, Polished & Machined Finish Parts

The best place for your anodized parts is to be stored inside and when parked outdoors to be in shaded areas. We do NOT recommend your anodized parts to be left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Basic Cleaning and Care:

·         Pre-Rinse: Before wiping the metal down, thoroughly flush it with a garden hose to wash away loose dirt, sand or dust. DO NOT skip this step, you could create micro-scratches with those tiny abrasive particles.

·         Mix a mild solution: Use warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. May also use pH-neutral car wash soaps.

·         Wipe Gently: Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe the surface in uniform, straight motions.

·         Rinse Completely: Flush the area thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue.

·         Dry the surface: Wipe the metal dry with a clean, soft towel to prevent water spots.

·         Avoid “wash and wax” or gloss enhancers unless they explicitly state they are safe for anodized metals.

·         Skip wheel cleaners: Never let heavy-duty automotive wheel “mag wheel cleaners” or degreasers touch your anodized aluminum. They are almost exclusively harsh acids or bases meant for raw cast aluminum or clear-coated alloys.

·         We suggest after a long ride rinse down and towel dry your anodized parts if needed.

 

Care Tips for your Anodized Parts if left outside or you are in coastal environments.

·         Wash your aluminum every 3 to 6 months, unless you are in a coastal marine environment or a heavily polluted industrial zone increase this to every 1 to 2 months to prevent salt buildup or acid etch pits.

·         Always clean the metal on a cool, overcast day or when the surface is completely shaded and cool.

·         Pre-rinse: Before wiping the metal down, thoroughly flush it with a garden hose to wash away loose dirt, sand or dust. DO NOT skip this step, you could create micro-scratches with those tiny abrasive particles.

·         Then follow the Basic Cleaning and Care from above.

 

Some common tough outdoor contaminants and how to safely remove them:

·         Tar, Grease & Oil: Wipe gently with a soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol. Rinse immediately with fresh water afterward. DO NOT use harsh solvent blends.

·         Bird Droppings & Sap: Soak a spot with a wet, soapy towel for a few minutes to soften then wipe clean with a soft sponge. DO NOT scrape with a razor blade, knife or metal scraper.

·         Heavy Chalking or Grime: Use a neutral-pH specialized aluminum cleaner or use a light power wash on a wide fan spray setting from a safe distance. DO NOT use high-pressure pinpoint streams or any cleaner containing trisodium phosphate(TSP)

 

Tips for your Polished and Machined Finish Arms

·         Hand-polished swingarms to keep the surface shiny, we recommend using Mother’s Billet Aluminum Polish after following the Basic Cleaning and Care from above.

·         Machined Finish swingarms follow the Basic Cleaning and Care Tips Above and use Scotch-Brite for only stubborn debris in the same direction to finish it out.

 

Use of Commercial Car Wash companies: We do not recommend using commercial car washes to wash your anodized parts. We cannot guarantee the types of chemicals that may be used at these facilities. Or debris present on water hoses/brushes. Manual hand wash is the best method to care for your anodized parts.

 

Remember these parts are high-end jewelry for your motorcycle; you wouldn’t buy a Rolex and not take care of it 😉

**It is the responsibility of the purchaser to follow the basic care tips outlined herein to maximize the longevity of your anodized parts.