Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Debating buying a HF polishing wheel and learning a new skill. OTOH time is money. What's the price range to get a set typical of HS engine covers polished out to a nice mirrored finish? I've poked around the web and people don't post much in the way of prices shich i can understand as every set could be very different etc..

Thanks

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There are 3 kinds of people in this world. The kind that can count and the kind that can't.

I would say that having it done professionally will cost at least as much as a polishing wheel from HF freight will. Like you said, time is money and most of the cost of polishing is paying for shop labor. I am sure most are going to charge $40 or more an hour. Polishing stuff is not really hard, just time consuming and like paint it is all in the prep work before you even start hitting it on the wheel.

Based on the time it took for me to do mine, I'd expect a couple hundred bucks at least. A lot of polishing shops will give you a ballpark estimate if you can send them some pics, sometimes it's surprisingly affordable.

I did my own and I spent an average of 6 hours on each piece. I did it all by hand and did not have a motor driven polishing wheel. That certainly would have sped up the process. I had the time but not the money.

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Rotortech
Indianapolis
1974 S3

I bought a dedicated/real polishing setup last year with a ton of good caswell stuff. I enjoyed doing it all myself. I probably paid $175 or so for everything.....around here you couldn't get two fork lowers and three silencers done for that amount. Timely Tip.....do it outside (and wear a mask / goggles)

You can buy a polishing wheel kit that goes on your bench grinder ,,at Home depot Under 15 bucks, there are two different kinds, get the one with the wheel sewn all the way on sides,, comes with white and red stick abrasive.. I finsh up with mothers.. I also use a cheap grinder that wheel also fits on.. Of course marks have to be wet sand out..before you start, Thats how I do it, Comes out pretty nice.. I guess really depends on how far you want to go with it.. Saftey glasses for sure and gloves to piece gets hot..Doesnt take long you would be surprised at the shine..

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1977 KH 400
1976 KH 250/350 rat bike
1971 KV 75
1976 KV 75

A hundred bucks, totally worth it, mine are mirrors.

Steve... I bought a crappy Ryobi 3/4 HP bench grinder about 15 years ago for $25.00 out of the "clearance" pile.

That chinese pile of garbage has polished so much metal its amazing. It still works the same as ever...
A few years ago, I made an extension for one shaft(about 10" long) from some black gas pipe and a huge/thick washer (welded). Now Im able to polish larger things without getting so close to the grinder body.

For wheels, I stack 2 of these 8" yellows.....


and pretty much exclusively use red rouge.

3/4 HP is the minimum or you'll be bogging the motor down all the time on larger items. Even now I am on the edge of being underpowered.
Someday, I'll upgrade to a 1 HP (or bigger), but this thing has earned its place in the garage.

A couple of words of advice is....... STRONG GRIP!!!!!!!!

Polishing is definately a do-it-yerself deal and I enjoy it. I think you'll pick it up QUICK.

Ryobi is a Japanese company, and I've never thought their products were substandard.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Ive done a lot by hand and now have a bench grinder set up with polishing wheels , , once you buy it you will use it heaps its so easy and fast , , just start at the coarse and work up to fine , its the 5 step method and you carnt cut corners , once you do a few you will get it