GSA alloy panniers

[Gazzabart]

its a

Gazza, is that top box back pad a BM affair or something else you've knocked up...?

its a BMW part
they have a number for it
was £50.00 quid and they fitted it
Mrs G is very happy with it to

 

[Giles]

Ok mate, thanks. (undecided whether to fork out or knock something up myself ).

 

[LiquidLAN]

try this
i use Belgiom Alom
great stuff
my panniers had been out in -9 snow and ice
they were fucked
but this is how clean you can get them back after you use this cleaner
good luck

Those are luverly and shine Gazzabart, but I'd prefer to get back to the brushed ali effect, does anyone know how its done - or even for that matter if its possible with the plastics still on???

 

[G5RJO]

1000 grit

1000 grit wet and dry paper.

Used dry removes scuffs and pitting.

Used wet it will replicate the lined finish, try a small area on the bottom of the box to see. Needs a protective polish afterwards.

Roger

 

[LiquidLAN]

1000 grit wet and dry paper.

Used dry removes scuffs and pitting.

Used wet it will replicate the lined finish, try a small area on the bottom of the box to see. Needs a protective polish afterwards.

Roger

Cheers Roger, I think mine might need it this year

 

[elefantman]

leave them to show your miles,only clean with sdoc them spray with acf,they look poncey if they're polished-same goes for the rest of the bike really

 

[snerkler]

leave them to show your miles,only clean with sdoc them spray with acf,they look poncey if they're polished-same goes for the rest of the bike really

sdoc, whats that?

 

[Wapping]

sdoc, whats that?

http://londonbikers.com/news/2506/sdoc100-power-gel-100-high-tech-bike-cleaning

 

[MrC]

SDOC100 Cleaner, I presume? The Gel cleaner is best as it sticks to the surfaces being cleaned, rather than muc-off which runs straight off! Pricey though...

 

[snerkler]

http://londonbikers.com/news/2506/sdoc100-power-gel-100-high-tech-bike-cleaning

Thanks

It's all very confusing as it seems as though there are many opinions on what is best, and depends on what finish you want. Therefore can someone point me in the direction of what's best for my needs please? I want a cleaner/polish that obviously cleans, removing pitting and also protects, whilst keeping the original brushed finish. whilst the shiny panniers posted on here look great, it's not the effect I personally want.
If I could have serious answers that would be great

 

[Wapping]

Don't thank me, thank Google

As to what's best?

Well, as you have seen there are as many opinions as there are products and maybe more.

My tip and it's near enough free:

To stop the scuffs. Go to Hein Gerrick (or however they spell it) and buy some of their clear sticky covering stuff. It's like Fablon, or whatever it was called. Cut out a square / oblong as neatly as you can and stick it on top, or wherever your boot catches.

Wash the damned boxes in plain ordinary soapy water on a regular basis, particularly in winter.

If you don't need to carry anything more than air on a regular basis, take them off the bike and keep them in your garage. They will stay reasonably clean in there.

It is quite possible that a greasy layer of oily road film will actually keep some of the worst crap from attacking the surface.

Try a bit of Salvol Autosol on the scuffs, it may take them out.

 

[Balders1450]

Thanks

It's all very confusing as it seems as though there are many opinions on what is best, and depends on what finish you want. Therefore can someone point me in the direction of what's best for my needs please? I want a cleaner/polish that obviously cleans, removing pitting and also protects, whilst keeping the original brushed finish. whilst the shiny panniers posted on here look great, it's not the effect I personally want.
If I could have serious answers that would be great

They are alloy panniers that will corode, unless you cover them in lacquer or stickers so it's Autosol and hard work, what else could there be?

 

[snerkler]

They are alloy panniers that will corode, unless you cover them in lacquer or stickers so it's Autosol and hard work, what else could there be?

Dunno, that's why I'm asking, I'm not a metalogist (if that's a word)

I don't mind the hard work, I just want ot keep the original look of the box and not make them shiny

 

[LiquidLAN]

Dunno, that's why I'm asking, I'm not a metalogist (if that's a word)

I don't mind the hard work, I just want ot keep the original look of the box and not make them shiny

I know the feeling, as I've got older looking after the stuff I've got seems more important and leaving something to deteriorate and look like sh!t really goes against the grain... but as someone here told me, just get on it and ride and stop worrying about it.

Without getting into a whole fit for purpose discussion, they are basically made from the wrong material to put on a bike in this country and look reasonable without a LOT of effort.

ACF50's worked ok for the last couple of winters, but mine now look like they need some TLC, so might try and sort them and maybe go for the plastic coating option or maybe just more ACF50

Shame as they looked really good on the bike when I first got them, but then I guess that was the point

 

[Wapping]

Dunno, that's why I'm asking, I'm not a metalogist (if that's a word)

I don't mind the hard work, I just want ot keep the original look of the box and not make them shiny

Metallurgist.

The secret is still to wash them on a regular basis, in good old soapy water. Then apply your leaf blower to remove the water. A touch of Pledge polish and job done. You will have seen the endless deabates as to whether the water should be hot or cold..... if undecided, cover both possibilies and go for warm.

If you use them in winter, then you will need to wash them more often as that is when the enviroment is at its most corrosive.

If you can avoid riding around with them on when you don't need them (other than to enhance 'the look', which you have told us is important) then they will stay very clean in your garage.

Why not just try a bit Solvol Autosol or perhaps a tube of Autoglym's metal polish to see how you get on? You can't break it

Failing all or any of that, buy a second hand set and keep your current ones for Sunday best.

 

[snerkler]

Metallurgist.

The secret is still to wash them on a regular basis, in good old soapy water. Then apply your leaf blower to remove the water. A touch of Pledge polish and job done. You will have seen the endless deabates as to whether the water should be hot or cold..... if undecided, cover both possibilies and go for warm.

If you use them in winter, then you will need to wash them more often as that is when the enviroment is at its most corrosive.

If you can avoid riding around with them on when you don't need them (other than to enhance 'the look', which you have told us is important) then they will stay very clean in your garage.

Why not just try a bit Solvol Autosol or perhaps a tube of Autoglym's metal polish to see how you get on? You can't break it

Failing all or any of that, buy a second hand set and keep your current ones for Sunday best.

Ooh, another chance to use my leaf blower (I think I ought to point out despite what some might be starting to believe, I haven't actually used the leaf blower for the bike )

Yep the appearance of the bike is important, but I'm not one of those folk who just have the luggage on for show (not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with that, each to their own and all that). I haven't had my panniers on since I bought the bike as will only be using them for touring. In fact I don't even have the pannier fixings/rack on at the moment.

I do use the top box frequently though, although I do take it off and leave it on the garage when it's not needed.

I am just one of those folk who like to take care of their stuff, and therefore have always treated my bikes with TLC. Neither could I spend all that money on something to let it go to pot

 

[snerkler]

Metallurgist.

.

Thanks for the vocab lesson. Us northerners can't speak proper ya know

 

[Wapping]

Ooh, another chance to use my leaf blower (I think I ought to point out despite what some might be starting to believe, I haven't actually used the leaf blower for the bike )

So you haven't washed it since the urgent enquiry as to how to remove water from between the fins?

Tut-tut

I haven't had my panniers on since I bought the bike as will only be using them for touring. In fact I don't even have the pannier fixings/rack on at the moment.

I do use the top box frequently though, although I do take it off and leave it on the garage when it's not needed.

Then you definitely have little more to worry or enquire about.

Today, I have mostly been using my panniers for not touring

Touring, I guess in the reasonably warmer weather, so the chances of serious corrosion will be significantly reduced? A wash and brush up will suffice. The rest of the time, stored - like fine wine - in a cool dark place. What can go wrong?

The top box, only used when required, can be washed (along with the bike) when you return from each salty excursion. Spring is coming anyway, salt is a thing of the past.... flies, next. Soak a tea towel in hot water and leave it on the pannier / screen on your return. 10 minutes and the flies will just melt away.

Now, get off and try a tube of the polishes suggested to get the scuffs out and get that clear plastic stuck on........

 

[G5RJO]

.

You can shift the pitting with solvol....but....it will take a week and you'll end up with mirror polished boxes. See my earlier post in this thread re 1000 grit wet and dry. Try it on the underside of a box. It works well and you will have an authentic finish. 50p a sheet is worth it to see what happens.

Maintaining is a different question to refurbing. The 1000 grit is all about removing pitting for a fresh go.

1000grit dry, 1000grit wet, light solvol polish over and job done.

Roger.

 

[snerkler]

So you haven't washed it since the urgent enquiry as to how to remove water from between the fins?

Tut-tut

Been cleaned twice since, and no sign of a leaf blower

And it wasn't urgent