Rub N Buff

[Orcade-Ian]

Might be of some use to some folk:

I did a BMW boxer gearbox (80's) for mate recently - new bearings and lots of careful measurement and shimming.  When he brought the box round before the work, it looked like new, so I asked him how it was so good.  "I use Rub N Buff paste on the castings and as long as they have been cleaned, they end up like this" was his reply.  I bought some (about £10 for a tiny tube from ebay) and tried it on this latest bank of spare carbs for a 400/4. You only use TINY amounts and I applied it with an old toothbrush and buffed it with a rag.  It's really a craft type product and Silver leaf was the shade used - lots of other colours available including gold and pewter.

Might be a bit too blingy for purists but looks well enough.

Apparently this gearbox had been done years ago and ridden in all weathers and occasionally hosed down but looked like new castings.

Before and after on a carb body

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Ian

[Orcade-Ian]

Yes, it's quite impressive and my mate rides this BM in all weathers here in Orkney and just hoses it down.  He has a lot of other bikes, Z1's and the likes that you could eat your dinner off! Also a Tractor that went down to a display at Ford in Dagenham a few years ago.  You folks ought to come and see some of the stuff up here and in Shetland.

I've tried removing this stuff to see what happens and you can get rid of most of it with thinners and probably petrol - but even if they flood it shouldn't come into contact with the finish and you could always touch it up in places.

Ian

[Johnny4428]

That’s impressive stuff! Never heard of it Ian. Have to get some of that for the 750 carbs. Should be back in the land of the living shortly after I get this Lister out of my psyche.

[K2-K6]

Looks impressive result on the carbs.

It's predominantly carnuaba wax with petroleum distillate (seems like turpentine) with kaolin clay and dye of choice for colour.

Probably the carnuaba and real turpentine that are most expensive components. 

[AshimotoK0]

Bought a tube to try Ian ..thanks.

[royhall]

Think I may try that also. Have you guys been getting it off eBay. What's the best price?

[AshimotoK0]

This is where i ordered it :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amaco-RubN-Buff-Silver-Leaf/274314036494?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Ash,
Yes, that's about the going rate it seems.  But I will repeat, you only need REALLY TINY  amounts to do the job - I bought 2 tubes but might have to leave one to someone in my will.   
Johnny, it was Leslie A who put me on to it and you know his superb standard of work.
I'm looking forward to doing the Del Orto carb on this Ducati Elite - but lots of other stuff to attend to first.

Ian

Just completed the manifold plate and linkage, using the same stuff and zinc plated the fittings with the Gateros kit.

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[Laverda Dave]

Just placed my order for a tube via the link provided by Ash.
The results look very impressive.
Thanks for posting Ian.

[Johnny4428]

Nice work Ian! Yes gathered that would be Leslie when you said being able to eat your dinner off some of his machines. Cheers!

[royhall]

Got mine from here and they have more colours.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274288120398

I went with Silver Leaf, Pewter (might be better than Silver leaf?) Gold leaf and Antique Gold. £10.03 if you order 4 or more. Expensive? yes but I like to experiment with different looks and I'll find some use for them all eventually.

Got mine from the same place, they are going to be wondering why after selling 2 in the last 3 months there's now a run on it.

[Orcade-Ian]

I wondered about that too Roy and I ought to contact them to see if they will give a preferential rate to SOHC/4 forum members or give a donation to Steve. 

I hope everyone is as impressed as I am with the results - I've done a test on the crankcases on this Ducati, which I'd had vapour blasted and it has lifted them to another level and being carnauba wax based it should afford a bit more longer term protection to otherwise virgin metal.

Ian

[mike the bike]

Clicking on that link led to a seller that had sold out.  There's 9 others though, so I bought one.  I look forward to having a go.

[royhall]

I wondered about that too Roy and I ought to contact them to see if they will give a preferential rate to SOHC/4 forum members or give a donation to Steve. 

I hope everyone is as impressed as I am with the results - I've done a test on the crankcases on this Ducati, which I'd had vapour blasted and it has lifted them to another level and being carnauba wax based it should afford a bit more longer term protection to otherwise virgin metal.

Ian

It will also be a mystery to them why everybody is suddenly buying the same colour.

[K2-K6]

"It will also be a mystery to them why everybody is suddenly buying the same colour."

That's gonna screw up their stocking rate if they've got it on automatic replenishment setting  two weeks time and a whole pallet will turn up at their address