Stains on lacquered aluminum – Rocket 3R intake cover

[Cetko]

Hi everyone,
I ride a Triumph Rocket 3R and recently noticed some strange stains forming on the aluminum intake cover (the polished part above the cylinders). It looks like cloudy spots or maybe the clear coat going bad – not sure if it's oxidation underneath or just surface damage.

The bike is garage-kept and hand washed (no pressure washer), but ridden in all weather.

Has anyone experienced the same issue?
Is there a way to clean it without removing the lacquer, or did you have to sand and recoat it?
If you managed to fix it, can you recommend any specific cleaner or method?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

 

[Jagster]

Photos please, before you head for the sandpaper.

 

[Dr.D]

I’d like to see photos also.

 

[DesertRat]

I'd bet its calcium from local water...ask me how I know

 

[Cetko]

Prosím, fotky predtým, než sa pustíte do brúsneho papiera.

 

[DesertRat]

Thanks for the pics.

I can't be certain.

Anyone else see something?

I'd look at that stained area through Magnification.

That way you can be sure that its;

1) Either a foreign stain on top of the Finish or;
2) A Foreign substance that ate into the Finish.

Then you'll be able to use the right correction method.

 

[Jagster]

I agree with DesertRat.

It looks to me like oxidation of the aluminium below the lacquer which of course will require a strip back and re-lacquer, but if it's deposits of something like calcium into the pores within the lacquer, it will polish out with some fine cutting paste followed by a sealing film of wax or something similar.

I haven't seen this on my bike and I don't recall seeing it on any others so far.