A Handy Hint
Created | Updated Jan 1, 2017
Freewayriding says, 'Seems you're never too old to learn from octogenarian bikers!'
A Handy Hint
Those of us who have been taking our meds eventually start wondering about just what to do with the stockpile of tinfoil under the sink. Here's a handy tip for putting that foil to use now those pesky aliens have been pharmaceutically banished.
I love my bike. I am lazy. I am also not one of those peacocks that only ride for twenty minutes if the sun shines. I ride all year round in all weathers, my bike gets scrubbed when it needs it, not as a fashion statement.
Therefore I hate chrome, I really, really hate chrome!
I despise spending hours cleaning and polishing a beast that will only get dirty as soon as the wheels turn.
Sadly the finish on modern Triumphs is somewhat lacking in the chrome department, so I tend to go for bikes with blacked out engine casings, black shocks, black bars, etc etc. However, there will always be pesky bits of chrome on show.
Laziness and the road dirt that accumulates on both long runs and the daily commute down the motorway further adds to the rapidly rusting chrome that I can't avoid.
What's this to do with foil hats I hear you ask (or maybe the voices are starting again?), well, yesterday I was speaking to a rather old biker on an equally aged Triumph. Gleaming chrome matching the smile of its rather proud owner of four decades. Lovely thing.
This guy cast knowledgable eyes over Zaphod – nice bike – was granted - bit dirty though.
Gnarly fingers caressed the russet downpipes, still sporting most of a melted supermarket carrier bag, tsk, tsk!
"You got any foil?"
I looked skywards expecting the mothership to be scanning us.
"Works a treat on rusted up chrome!"
Apparently a little foil ball dipped in soapy water is just abrasive enough to dislodge the pesky rust (and thankfully burnt on plastic bags!) but won't scratch the finish, also minute particles of aluminium will fill any tiny dents and scratches!
Zaphod had his Yuletide bath today, bloody chrome looked dreadful.
The overlords were quiet enough, so a quick scrumple and ten minutes later, no rust, gleaming chrome and time for a cuppa and a bacon butty before work!
So if you have a vehicle with dodgy brightwork, (and you're alien free), try it!
FWR
Warning: does not work on interstellar craft!
