Polish for a titanium frame?

ascurrell
ascurrell Posts: 1,739
edited March 2008 in Workshop
Hi, just got myself a titanium framed bike,
What's the best product to keep the frame in tip top condition,
Thanks, Scurry

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    I use WD40 - it leaves nice clean sheen on the titanium and removes all traces of finger prints. Wash the bike, let it dry then spray a small bit of WD40 to the titanium and polish with a cloth.
  • Chocolatebike
    Chocolatebike Posts: 41
    Baby oil, as sometimes recommended for stainless steel hobs etc ?
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Lemon juice. Don't ask me why. Read it once and seems to work.
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Or upholstery foam.
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • Ed McC
    Ed McC Posts: 175
    andyp wrote:
    I use WD40 - it leaves nice clean sheen on the titanium and removes all traces of finger prints. Wash the bike, let it dry then spray a small bit of WD40 to the titanium and polish with a cloth.

    I'll second this. I have found WD-40 better than anything else.
  • ascurrell
    ascurrell Posts: 1,739
    Wow, quite a variation, it seems common not to recommend any type of abrasive products, appreciate al the replies many thanks, scurry
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Brasso-polishes up the mirror finish on my Litespeed a treat, and works just as well on my brushed finish Airborne
    afa59a1a.jpg
    Etape06016.jpg
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Ken Night wrote:
    Brasso-polishes up the mirror finish on my Litespeed a treat, and works just as well on my brushed finish Airborne
    I always thought that Brasso was slightly abrasive?
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Nuggs wrote:
    I always thought that Brasso was slightly abrasive?

    Far from it

    You can get a tin of impregnated wadding which gives a really nice finish. It's cheaper to get the bottle and put it on a rag oneself

    It smells amoniacal
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    Brasso is abrasive. You can test this by rubbing some on a shiny chrome surface (e.g. the back of a classic iPod) - you'll easily see the (very fine) scratches. Brasso is basically a fine grit in suspension.

    Personally I wouldn't use it on my ti frame, not because of the very fine scratching on the ti surface, which wouldn't bother me, but the dulling effect this scratching would have on the transfers.

    a serious case of small cogs
  • Ken Night
    Ken Night Posts: 2,005
    Really, it isn't

    I haven't got any more of the wadding product (Brasso-Duraglit)-but it puts a layer of stuff on, which you then polish off

    The can does the same thing

    the solution isn't "gritty" at all-maybe I'm using different stuff
    I'll hunt out the can and see

    [later edit]
    the can has a red label "Brasso". The solution is yellowish, and definitely is not gritty. It shines up Ti a treat
    “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best..." Ernest Hemingway
  • HungryCol
    HungryCol Posts: 532
    Poutline RS1 Wax Polish I use which is used in Motorbike showrooms. It's about £6.50 a 500ml can.

    Putoline RS1 Wax - Polish Spay has been specially formulated for Motorcycle use. Its natural silicon free base ensures a long lasting deep shine yo all painted surfaces. Used regularly RS1 Wax will prevent fading due to exposure to extreme sunlight.
    www.bitzforbikes.co.uk
    Every winner has scars.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    brasso/duraglit will bring the ti up a bit shiny, which is fine if that's the look you want.

    To maintain the current look then I'd go WD40 everytime

    If you want a dull effect then wire wool will do the job, but obviously the stickers will be a mess afterwards. Fine wire wool will give a dull sheen (if that makes any sense)
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I don't own a titanium bike but read somewhere that toothpaste worked well. Go
    figure. Just something I read. Who knows?

    Dennis Noward
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    cottage cheese is another
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Adamskii
    Adamskii Posts: 267
    Fermented bats urine is the obvious choice!
    It's all good.
  • ascurrell
    ascurrell Posts: 1,739
    Ken Night wrote:
    Nuggs wrote:
    I always thought that Brasso was slightly abrasive?

    Far from it

    You can get a tin of impregnated wadding which gives a really nice finish. It's cheaper to get the bottle and put it on a rag oneself

    It smells amoniacal

    Brasso is abrasive as I was shown by a jeweller once how to polish out a scratch on my Festina watch face.
    So it is very finely abrasive but does give a nice polished finish [remember your grandmothers brass and copper].
  • notsoracy rich
    notsoracy rich Posts: 229
    My parents were both born in Poland,although I was born in England, but I do have a titanium frame.

    Is that close enough to your question?

    Rich :wink:
  • notsoracy rich
    notsoracy rich Posts: 229
    OK. I asked my dad:

    Polish for a titanium frame is --'frame titaniumski'

    Hope this helps,

    Rich.
  • DavidBelcher
    DavidBelcher Posts: 2,684
    Adamskii wrote:
    Fermented bats urine is the obvious choice!

    "I bet he drinks Carling Black Label!" :wink:

    David
    "It is not enough merely to win; others must lose." - Gore Vidal
  • socrates
    socrates Posts: 453
    Got this from Tom Kellogs Spectrum website and it works a treat. After washing, dry off frame and polish with lemon Pledge.

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