Wet-sanding Aero domes

[wrecker44]

I recently picked up another 25RWI Wrecker model (1986). The domes where pretty bad, so I started by wet sanding them with 1000/3000. Didn't smooth the pitting out though, so I got the 3M kit and sanded the S*^# out of them. They look better now, but I'm gonna sand them by hand one more time to get the fine scratches out.


My question is for the guys with the NOS looking restored bars......do you take the domes apart and wet-sand each section individually then reassemble them?


That seems to be the only way to get them REALLY clean looking....

 

[chief1562]

I have on the one I did.


But I didn't start out with 1000 either I started with about 400 and worked my way through all the grits til I hit 5000.


And the silconed them back together. And then used Novus 1-2 to polish and buff out.

 

[wrecker44]

That's a great job there Chief! I got most of all the bad stuff sanded down with the 3M kit. Now I just need to get the finer stuff, but was thinking it would be better to tear the domes down to be a more uniform appearance.

 

[chief1562]

That's what I did.


But you need to be carefull when you do. That silicone is nasty when you pry them apart.


The metal strip I used a small screwdriver and a hammer and gently started to drive it to one end and the pulled it off.


As far as the domes themselves sand in the same direction across.


It's going to take some time nut well worth the final results.


Starting out with 1000 grit is to fine to cut the sun damage.


When I wetsand i use Dawn and you can tell you are cutting the sun damage when the suds or water turns yellow.


And be sure to use plenty of water. I like a spray bottle.


And change the dirty water often when you first start sanding.


When you change grits change the water everytime so as to not contaminate with the old stuff you've already taken off.


If you need anymore help PM me.


Also forgot to add when you put them back together don't forget the silicon.

 

[Captain4164]

I also thank you Chief, I have two Aero bars that eventually I will get to doing this to and was also wondering if I should take them apart. Gonna be way more labor intensive for mine tho, as they are 72" with 7 panels per side. :duh: :bonk:

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

I have had horrible luck attempting to disassemble Aero Domes.


To get the metal strip off pretty easily I just seperate the endcaps, then press down on the top of the domes so that they bend outwards. This will release the metal strip pretty simply.


I think someone even made a sticky on this in the tips and tricks section.


As for separating the segments.... good luck, I love Aero's but I hate this part. Older domes seem to part easier, newer domes forget it.


I just picked up an NYPD Aerotwin from Eric, 1 dome is fixable, the other is too much effort. Gonna just get new domes. But I might hold onto the others to play around with em.

 

[Pete L.]

The older domes were silicone only (easy to take apart)............the newer domes have 3 drops of super glue in with the silicone (nasty bastards to take apart)