Part 12 - Perfecting Engine Polishing & Letter Painting - Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn

[@MerciaMoto]

Absolutely stunning Glyn! There’s something incredibly therapeutic about polishing. Awesome stuff 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@GlynOC]

Thank you! Cheers! I thought I'd done enough to last a lifetime but I find myself looking at things and wondering what they'd look like shiny so I'll have to be careful👍

[@steven-vn9ui]

Filling in the logo really made it pop! Well done Glyn, another step closer.

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much, more shiny shiny is good👍

[@timsatchell6713]

Beautiful results Glyn.of course you set you own parameters for a job like this, there are no limits. I think you have achieved an excellent result. If you want to throw in obsession, you could have deep gauges welded and work them back. I wouldn't have got anywhere near where you have. Well done.

[@GlynOC]

Thanks Tim, it's easy to pick things out under the 'studio lights' but I've probably been looking at things you'll never see in real life, can't wait to get them on the engine now 👍

[@willywindsor5803]

Brilliant work Glyn you really do pay attention to detail and I love your subtle humour…combination of which makes for excellent viewing. Beats watching TV (which I gave up on years ago) by a country mile. Looking forward to the next instalment 😃👍

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much, it's the first bit that looks nice!

[@freddy9210]

Very nice work you have! You have a good way to show/explain your findings, and it's immensely satisfying. I am looking forward to your next video.

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much, engine back together next 👍

[@shardlake]

Worth the effort, looking forward to see it all back on the engine.

[@GlynOC]

Thanks, I can't wait!

[@andyh5971]

Looking good! A rotary tool (Dremel type) with a cylindrical buffing attachment works a treat on the bolt recesses. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@GlynOC]

That's a good idea, I briefly thought about painting those cutouts black but that would have been a bit too fussy (and there are a lot of them!!)

[@B0M0A0K]

Goodness, but that was utterly exhausting work. It took me two cups of tea and a biscuit to get to the end of the video 🤣😂. I really liked your "lap of honor" at the end where you bask in the results of your hard work. Well deserved Glyn and I loved the attention to detail with the touch-up inlay on the RE lettering.

[@GlynOC]

haha it was only 35 mins, that's practically a trailer for me but that's what polishing is like. I could do it in half the time now I've worked out the kinks but I still don't fancy doing it again! Looking forward to getting it back together, it's painted now but waiting for it to harden properly so I don't get all marks on it 👍

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

Morning Glyn, ally polishing is so satisfying to do and watch, I restored a pair of race cans for one of my Ducatis which involved filing out some drop scratches, an engineer mate lent me a set of fine files and I was able to lose the scratches completely they came up like new time consuming but great sense of achievement. I swear by auto solvo cream although my tube is getting a bit thin my RE dealer was giving away tubes of REs own,seems pretty good as well. I’ve tried others but I love old fashioned turtle wax body polish for a great finish on painted parts, loved this vid, nice one Glyn. …. Pete🇫🇷

[@GlynOC]

Hi Peter, that must have looked fab, how long have did you have it for, have you still got it? I watched the video you told me about, that was brilliant, I'd like to go and ride around there, would probably end up off the edge!

[@PeterHolland-mu7yn]

@@GlynOC afrternoon Glyn the one in the video was our 996 ST4S with all the goodies Ohlins shock mechesine wheels, Race airbox and racing cans, we had it for about 6 years and 50+thousand miles I also had a 900SS kitted out the same which we had for 13 years both bikes were our pride and joy the 900SS went round the Nurburgring a couple of times in its life as well. Then we had a couple of Buell XB 1200 which slowly replaced the Dukes, but all gone know when we sold up everything including the bikes and scooters only bringing one Vespa px 125 with us to France which just could not part with, we had 7 Ducatis (Sarah had a 900SS) over a 20 year period, the Buells did everything the Ducatis did inc the handling not as pretty but soooo much cheaper to service, and character in spade fulls just like the Dukes. I’ve ridden the gorge three times since then twice on a ktm 690 duke and once on the Vespa px whatever you ride it on it’s an experience 🤣 ….pete🇫🇷

[@M15TERx]

Hello Glyn. Good video, I've not used NXT before but just bought some in Halfords today. I neglected to wash down my front forks and think some road salt has left marks so this will be my first job - then the engine casings!

[@GlynOC]

Hello, I've heard those front forks are sensitive to the roads, as they would be I guess! The NXT is very fine, you might need to use autosol first, or even a bit of T-Cut or wet and dry to get rid of the corrosion marks first or you might be there for weeks!

[@electrobob1]

@@GlynOC NTX is waiting to arrive here as well. I too have experienced scratches from the sown cotton disc, open cotton disc and now the felt disc using belgom and wax like you did. testing on the sprocket cover. However, I managed to get a mirror finish showing a morror image of fine arm hairs, but with micro scratsches from the felt. I am in doubt if NTX will be able to polish them out. the scratches are too fine to make a picture of. At this point I feel the highest level of mirror shine is hard to maintain and to have a more permanent solution is to have the engine parts chrome plated. Yes I am considering to disassemble the engine in winter even if it is just broken in at this time. For you, just an option to reconsider as well. Regards, Erik

[@Coastriderscotland]

Lovely job Owen! I will pull up the spare J engine i bought and polish it up once the light nights are here 😁👍

[@GlynOC]

It would make great lounge art while you're waiting to use it, as long as your table is strong enough!

[@Coastriderscotland]

@@GlynOC i may need to create a stronger holding table for it Glyn 😜😁👍

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Afternoon Glyn. Strangely enough, I have only just see this video, but yesterday I cleaned the cases, and forks on mine, and did a video 🙄, I didn’t copy you, honest. Now admittedly, I didn’t want a mirror finish, as they you need to keep on top of them even more, especially if, like me, you ride all year round. I have always used, and still use Autosol. I have tried Mcguiers (?), but really didn’t think it made any difference. Also, it is supposed to have protection qualities, but I didn’t find that either. We all have our own methods, but one thing I have taken from your video, is that I need to go back to using “mutton cloth”, instead of micro fibre. It definitely does a better job. Cheers

[@GlynOC]

Hi Ian! That sounds great, I'd like to see that. I hope mine won't corrode too quickly or that'll be a shame, I'm quite lazy really and use the MucOff Protectant spray quite a bit on bikes which leaves a film on everything and works well, or at least it smells nice anyway 😻 You're right about the microfibre, I tried one and it was hard work compared to the rougher polishing stuff. Funnily enough, I just found a box of polishing cloths in TK Maxx whilst my wife was clothes shopping and they're great, kind of halfway between the two

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

@@GlynOCyou have an advantage over me, in that you have a garage. Clementine has to live outside under a cover (actually two covers 😂). When I had my Interceptor, I polished (by hand) the casings, to an almost mirror finish. Big mistake, any damp, just tarnished them, which meant I spent so much time and effort trying to keep on top of them. That’s why I just leave my 350 casing’s looking “nice”. I also ride (and record) throughout winter, on the gritty/salty/mucky roads. I did a winter prep video, where I explained how I used Scottoiler FS365, to protect everything, which definitely helped to a point (except the wheel spokes, can’t find anything which protects them 😢), but then, mid winter, started using “Rocket” spray. This stuff is great, but does leave a baked on residue, which is what I was polishing off in the upcoming video. Cheers

[@GlynOC]

Ohh those covers don't help at all do they. I've never had a bare alloy engine before, anything shiny has been Japanese with lacquer on top which is great until it isn't! I'm going to have stainless spokes which isn't going to be cheap but I figured I'm in this deep so what the heck, they're being made at the moment (I hope!!). Looking forward to your video 👍@@ianhughesroyalenfield

[@BulletBeena]

Awesome job Glyn 👍🏻 Loving the new sponsor as well 🤣

[@BillyDickinson-nt1lp]

Impressive finish Glynn … as a RE owner find your videos really interesting 👍🏻

[@GlynOC]

Thanks 👍 we'll see how it lasts, I better look after it

[@davydavidson2421]

Great job Glyn, I watched a Stuart Fillingham video where he used Meguiars polish I purchased some and have never looked back, Euro Car Parts sell it for £10.80

[@GlynOC]

That's a great price! I'll have to try some more of their products

[@weemark67]

Great job Glyn, you gotta be happy with the outcome. I remember using autosol on the chrome work on the old Suzuki GP100. But don’t think it’s changed since. When I got my Nova SR, I used Mer, and on the alloys too, kept beeding water. Then moved to Carnuba, now there is ceramic. I quite like the megs spray ceramic in a blue bottle, that help keep it protected. But intital coat is better wiped off, as rinsed and towel dried. Painting the lettering was a stand out. Defo coming on Glyn, am so chuffed ❤. Just got the Scottish motorcycle show to look forward to now, I guess. Stay safe bro.😊

[@GlynOC]

Thanks Mark, I haven't heard of those products and I've not tried ceramic coatings. I'll have a look out for those. Nova SR was an iconic car, I bet they're all gone now!

[@weemark67]

@@GlynOC yeah was lovely , Rembrandt Silver Metallic, with factory sun roof. lol

[@silkycherry]

Great job 👍

[@GlynOC]

Thanks you 🙏

[@jez6208]

Cracking stuff Glyn. So, how many coats of enamel did you use for painting the letters? I heard you have to apply 2 or 3. The polished casings look great!

[@GlynOC]

It was only 1 coat but it was very deep haha, that was easy because it was laying on its side of course, if it were on the bike I think 2 lighter coats would be fine. The black paint was super gloopy anyway, I'll add a link to the description as they do it in several colours

[@jez6208]

@GlynOC my engine is eggshell black. Classic signals desert sand. I was thinking about painting the Royal Enfield logo, but I'm not sure I would find an enamel to match. Also, I'm worried about making a hash of it. Can't really lay my bike on it's side. Or can I?

[@electrobob1]

Good job on the polishing! What I noticed when polishing my sprocket cover is the after 1200grid sanding, the paste (+polysteher aquarium filter fleece which does not dry out the paste oil) grinds away the 1200grid very well. Wax and felt disc makes it shine and smooth but leaves mechanical micro scratches and commandant7 +old cotton shirt makes mirror but the shirt makes little scratches as well. I have NTX on order but I fear this is a downgrade.spend about 8hrs on this cover testing what is worth living... It is very hard to get this casings to a real mirror shine and altough it is a mirror finish it will not get to a chromed state scratch free for now... I have not found how to get there yet. very fingerprint sensitive! However, to maintain the mirror finish I would like might be too labour intensive and I am reconsidering to have them chromed and then ceramic coating.

[@GlynOC]

I think you're right, there's a ceiling to how smooth and bright you can get this alloy although it does get very shiny doesn't it. I can't get rid of the tiny micro scratches either. Once you stand back it's all nice though👍

[@electrobob1]

@@GlynOC Just got me the NTX from Halfords along with their Protecton polishing cloth. This is a strong felt like cloth hard to tear but easy on the scissors. It is a day and night difference the microscratches are gone. I do see the alu moulding structure now and a micro orange skin. This is the mirror finish one can achieve I guess but you have to take into account aluminium will have a darker shine and not as clear as chrome. But this surface seems ready for chroming if desired and it's a once in a life time polishing job by then... Not sure how to deal with my engine parts tough, mine has 1200km on it now not sure if I should take her apart for polishing or chroming and I am only using a small bike lift which could be unconvenient. Protecton polishing cloth works quite well for me! Regards, Erik

[@GlynOC]

I popped in Halfords today and they've got loads of cloths and wasn't sure which one you got! What colour is it? I haven't touched mine since I finished it and they need a going over to remove some spots and water marks so better do that before it gets difficult and I lose heart👍

[@karamrider]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@anuraagghosh5965]

👍 nice

[@GlynOC]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BellIcon]

What's that machine used for polishing?

[@GlynOC]

It's just a metal polishing kit from Amazon or ebay, very cheap and you can use it in any battery or mains drill 👍

[@berryslokker8949]

Waaauw! Do not show these results to my classic please or i have to do this too. He is very jealous. Beautifull work Glyn

[@GlynOC]

haha I'm sure yours is lovely, what colour is it?

[@berryslokker8949]

Its the halicon Grey, i call it baby blue. When hitchcock get the performance camshaft i can take off the covers and do some polishing because i really love how shiney it can become like you showed. Later do the shockabsorvers. Again, thanks for giving the example

[@GlynOC]

That's right, you told me before, that's my favourite colour I think, or the signals ones. The shocks will be must easier being chrome I hope 👍

[@cleeveofford1720]

What was the paint you used for the casings please

[@GlynOC]

Hello, it was just a black 'enamel' paint off amazon but it's not real enamel of course, just a thick black paint, that was on amazon uk