Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum - View Single Post - Proper way to clear-coat over steel?

tubes_rock · 04-26-2010, 08:59 PM

I'm working in restoring a 1987 Rebel 450. The battery box is a chromed steel box on the right side of the bike, like many Harleys have. The problem is that the bike was poorly stored and the chrome is all bubbled off. I was thinking I could remove all the chrome with some sanding and then polish the steel itself with wet/dry sandpaper and steel wool to get it almost mirror-like. Then maybe I could clear-coat it. It wouldn't be chrome bright, but it would still look good, I think.

The question is, how do you clear-coat that steel without using a base coat of some sort? Do they make a clear primer or something?

Anyone have experience or advice in this area?

--Justin

04-26-2010, 08:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
tubes_rock Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern NH Posts: 5,341	Proper way to clear-coat over steel? I'm working in restoring a 1987 Rebel 450. The battery box is a chromed steel box on the right side of the bike, like many Harleys have. The problem is that the bike was poorly stored and the chrome is all bubbled off. I was thinking I could remove all the chrome with some sanding and then polish the steel itself with wet/dry sandpaper and steel wool to get it almost mirror-like. Then maybe I could clear-coat it. It wouldn't be chrome bright, but it would still look good, I think. The question is, how do you clear-coat that steel without using a base coat of some sort? Do they make a clear primer or something? Anyone have experience or advice in this area? --Justin __________________ 2010 Honda NT700V 1986 Shadow 700 1986 Honda Trail 110 (Postie Bike)