R.A.
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- Feb 9, 2011
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While out and about I was pondering the issue with oxidation and stems, There has got to be a easy inexpensive way,
Although I have a buffer and wheel I wanted to try to find a method using only a product, cloth and hand buffing,
I am a big fan of using a existing product for a new purpose, I sought out a polish which claim to fame was the removal of oxidation from plastic.
Plastic headlight lens cleaner was my pick, Now also finding interest in the "Magic Eraser" for its claim of cleaning I chose to combine the 2 products,
Using just a small dab ( size of a kidney bean ) I put on the sponge and using in line strokes began to clean the stem, then just random rubbing it worked like a champ! using only light pressure the oxidation came off quick,
Now I probably spent less than 2 minutes with impressive results but continued for a few more just to be thorough after that used a soft cloth to clean it and them some cleaner wax and a quick hand polish.
The results were pretty good, (pictures included here) Now had I spent more time maybe included some power buffing the results may be fantastic, and I will do that later, main goal was to find a way to clean stems for those whom don't have or want to use power tool methods,
Total cost less than 10 bucks about 6 for the polish (Meguiars PlastX 10 OZ ) and 3.50 for the sponges at Walmart, But really I'm betting any old sponge or soft cloth would have worked fine.
Now it don't shine like a new stem due to a few deeper bite scratches only a buffer would take out, but for less than 10 minutes work its a good start. hope the pictures are clear enough to show the good results.
Hope this method will help anyone out there needing to clean some stems,
Although I have a buffer and wheel I wanted to try to find a method using only a product, cloth and hand buffing,
I am a big fan of using a existing product for a new purpose, I sought out a polish which claim to fame was the removal of oxidation from plastic.
Plastic headlight lens cleaner was my pick, Now also finding interest in the "Magic Eraser" for its claim of cleaning I chose to combine the 2 products,
Using just a small dab ( size of a kidney bean ) I put on the sponge and using in line strokes began to clean the stem, then just random rubbing it worked like a champ! using only light pressure the oxidation came off quick,
Now I probably spent less than 2 minutes with impressive results but continued for a few more just to be thorough after that used a soft cloth to clean it and them some cleaner wax and a quick hand polish.
The results were pretty good, (pictures included here) Now had I spent more time maybe included some power buffing the results may be fantastic, and I will do that later, main goal was to find a way to clean stems for those whom don't have or want to use power tool methods,
Total cost less than 10 bucks about 6 for the polish (Meguiars PlastX 10 OZ ) and 3.50 for the sponges at Walmart, But really I'm betting any old sponge or soft cloth would have worked fine.
Now it don't shine like a new stem due to a few deeper bite scratches only a buffer would take out, but for less than 10 minutes work its a good start. hope the pictures are clear enough to show the good results.
Hope this method will help anyone out there needing to clean some stems,
