Pughy
Registered user
I Ride my Triple Black throughout the winter completely treated with ACF 50 with no signs of corrosion, however, the aluminium panniers are getting really stained and grubby. Any special tricks to clean them?
Aluminium Pannier Cleaning
- Thread starter Pughy
- Start date
I gave up and got mine vinyl wrapped!
donny1972
Registered user
Autosol.
Last edited:
now that looks great where did you get that doneI gave up and got mine vinyl wrapped!
Fanum
Toubab
Try WD40
WD40 will dissolve most 'marks' on the panniers and clear a lot of it up, but it doesn't address the problem of raw aluminium oxidising.
Will address the aluminium oxide problem and clear it up nicely.......toothpaste followed by brake cleaner will do just as well.
After that, you'll be left with the same problem....raw (bare) aluminium oxides quickly and no matter how many times you clean it, won't survive long without leaving white powder on anything that rubs against them, plus it will react with other substances and take on stains really easily.
A lacquer will seal them, but you'll need to find a lacquer that will not react with aluminium over a long period.
Ultimately, raw aluminium is a stupid and fragile finish for panniers, so unless you seal them, paint them, powder coat them or wrap them, you'll always have the same problem.
Your choice which route to take....cleaning them in the first place is the easy part.
Do a search here on vinyl wrapping....people have had great success with that and it looks good, plus it's available in any colour and is relatively cheap and removable.
I'm not sure how well aluminium takes on powder coating, but personally that's the route I'd take, starting off by speaking to one of the many hundred specialist coaters around the country.....it's also surprisingly cheap, and also available in pretty much any colour.
I agree. And I find it odd that they don't come lacquered from the factory. They look great when they're new, but within a week, they get covered in scratches and marks, and look shite.
Deleted account 211025001
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Pughy
Registered user
Thanks for the feedback; I have tried machine polishing one of the lids, it looks good but as you say will pit again soon 
Perhaps i'll just let it look "worn" and then clean them up when I sell it !!!
Perhaps i'll just let it look "worn" and then clean them up when I sell it !!!
WindyChuffer
Registered user
Do you fold your underpants before you put them away?
Linky here...... http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...y-boxes-Vinyl-wrapped?highlight=Vinyl+wrapped
Oberon, a member on here from Northern Ireland asked his son to have a go for me. NOT at all expensive. for most it would involve shipping boxes both ways, but failing that, try approaching your local auto window tinter..... That's what his son does during the day.
Mad_Accountant
Registered user
Check with Vines - they have a vinyl wrap contact.
But has anyone tried Mer?
But has anyone tried Mer?
Clean them. Then cover them with ACF50.
Look out for privet hedges though. And mind that pointy bolt in the topbox when putting your crash helmet in there....
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Look out for privet hedges though. And mind that pointy bolt in the topbox when putting your crash helmet in there....
Don't forget to take them into the hotel with you at night.
Try these www.signaturecd.com they have some good pannier wraps - clear too!
Pughy
Registered user
That looks like good stuff...think I'll clean them and wrap them
LotusMartin
Registered user
I'm thinking about giving the wrapping a go myself - a good video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Hc0YJMwyI
Doesn't seem that expensive even if I FU - http://www.carstyleplus.co.uk/Vinyl_Car_Wrap/Vinyl_Matt_Black/vinyl_matt_black.html
Doesn't seem that expensive even if I FU - http://www.carstyleplus.co.uk/Vinyl_Car_Wrap/Vinyl_Matt_Black/vinyl_matt_black.html
I wrapped mine as I was sick of cleaning them. It's easier than it looks, but takes a while and if I'm honest...you need more patience than I've been graced with. There was some swearing and plenty of 'never again'... they must have looked OK as I've now done 3 other sets for friends.
My advice would be only buy the bubble free vinyl and only use a really sharp craft knife and you'll be fine. I also found the wife's cake icing smoother thingy handy....(obviously I've never touched it and denied ever seeing it), but a credit card would do the same job.
Worth the effort in my opinion.
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