Restoring battered powerbites

[Chunk4444]

Hey guys, I have a set of V2 powerbites that I am looking to restore back to there former glory. How do I go about sanding out the scrapes and polishing them up. Any advice/tips would be appreciated!

[Midschoolfool]

Were they the cheap ones on Ebay recently? A pic would help.

I considered it, but really don't have the machinery needed.

[Picklez]

As said, pop some pics up as would help understand what's needed 

[Chunk4444]

As requested some pics.

[Chunk4444]

More pics

[Midschoolfool]

Trust me, they are not battered  I've seen some with most of the pedal boss area ground off.

What finish did you want them to be? black? polished?

If polished? get your arms ready. It will involve lots of work, but they will come up killer.

[Picklez]

agreed, I was anticipating much worse than that. They'll come up a treat with a little effort. As asked, what type of finish are you striving for silver, polished, black,....?

If polished then (with some elbow grease) that will be relatively straight forward.

[Chunk4444]

That's good news. What should I use auto sol or high grit sandpaper.?

[Midschoolfool]

First up they will be anodised. That is why they have stayed silver and not gone manky. You will need to remove all of that. For that I would use P800 wet, because anodising is not something you want to do dry. Don't breathe it in.

Once that is gone then you will need to use something coarse to work out the scratches. Then switch back to wet sanding, then get it on a buffing wheel.

Do know that once you polish them you will need to keep doing so. So if it is a show bike? fine. If not? I would leave them as they are if you are riding them.

There are probably professionals who can do it much quicker. Look for a place in your area.

Looking back at them they appear to have clear coat on? it might be some sort of ano but it looks more like clear as it's crazed. That will all need to come off.

[bobafett]

Yup totally agree with above ^^


I did a set of Shimano Tourney cranks a few years ago - fook knows what they coat that alloy in - I thought clear anodised at first and did the usual Oven pride that I've done shit loads of times - didn't touch it. Then thought it must be clear coat and tried various paint strippers - no joy. In the end I just got the wet n dry out and went through the grades.  Remember as said above that's some nasty dust you'd be creating right there so go like Batman shagging..... wet with a mask 

[Midschoolfool]

I wonder if SBD does polishing? You could get them polished, then cleared with powder. Will be super durable too.