have I done non repairable damage to my HD

[Murr1525]

Looks like a satin finish... getting too strong could change the look completly.

But maybe a milder paint cleaner, like SwirlX or similar, would be a gentle start.

[notadetailer]

ya tried that and a couple other things. tonight however I tried a metal cleaner polisher and it is looking better. It is taking A LOT of elbow grease and time! It may not be as good as it was when I am done but will be better.
Keep ideas coming if anyone has them.
Thanks

[notadetailer]

Here you go.......

thanks for getting this here for me

[Michael Stoops]

This is very unfortunate, but it's also the reason why the bottle of Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner states not to use on motorcycle wheels - there are too many other surfaces in close proximity to those wheels that will not like getting over spray on them. In your case, spraying the product directly onto aluminum pieces was, as you've obviously already determined, not a great idea.

The good news is that aluminum can usually be polished back to a high shine fairly easily with a good aluminum polish. We get calls every week from someone who used Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner on high polished aluminum wheels, thinking the wheels were chrome, only to end up staining them white; a sure sign the wheels are, indeed, aluminum. Our new Wheel Polishing Kit can clean those wheels up pretty easily, and it should work on the various aluminum parts on your bike. Now, for parts that are supposed to be more of a satin finish the polishing may make them a bit more shiny than they were, but since you're already making progress by hand, the wheel kit may be a huge benefit to you.

In this thread we intentionally stained an aluminum wheel with Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner and then polished it back to a high shine with the kit. It ought to do the same thing for you.

[TLMitchell]

I was at a dealer where some wash-clown sprayed S100 Total Cycle Wash on a hot engine... matte silver like yours. It stained and nothing they did would clean it off. They thought they'd have to replace the engine since it was a new bike that had less than 1000 miles on it. They called the Motor Company seeking a solution and they were told to use Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner.... the foamy stuff. Cleaned it up like new.

Your aluminum primary cover is coated. Get too aggressive and you'll marr and remove the coating. If Scrubbing Bubbles doesn't work there try a mild polish like Nevr Dull wadding.

Lesson to be learned is always do a small test spot in an inconspicuous place when you're unsure of cleaners/polishes and surface compatibility.

TL

[notadetailer]

Thanks everyone for your help. I have spend a few hours on the bike and have posted an after picture in the gallery. (if someone wants to move the after picture here for me that would be great) It took more elbow grease than this gal usually likes to put forth, but it has been worth it. I used the all metal polish with great results. I will do one more quick polish before I list it for sale. Wow did I learn a lesson, know the kind of metal you are working with! I will go with a product safe for all metal on my new bike!
Thanks again!

[THE BIG BUFFER]

here ya go! Looks better!