How To: Clutch/brake levers gouged or scuffed? [56K?]

[cobalt135]

OK, I am pretty picky about how my ride looks.  A little while back I dropped my bike and scuffed the heck out of the brake clutch lever.  I finally decided to try to fix it.  Here is a rundown if anyone would like to get thiers looking good again.  It took about 20 minutes to do.

First you will need several grades of sandpaper.  I just used what I had laying around.  Started with 120 grit, followed by some 200 or 300 stuff, and finished up with very fine 600 wet or dry paper (in middle).



Started with this:


After sanding with the 120 grit:


Final sanding:


You might have to sand quit a bit to get the deep gouges removed.  I just feathered the area out to keep the rounded shape.  Now use some aluminum polish and go to town.  It only took me a few minutes to get the shine back...really easy.



Ready to put back on the bike...



Hope this will help someone out.  Mods feel free to move this wherever it is best suited.

[RedShift]

Nice explanation of the process.  Considering the attention you give to some minor abrasions to your levers, you must have really freaked when she dropped.  

No matter -- get out there and ride you bike!!  This great weather isn't going to last much longer.

[Phaedrus]

Nice! Sure beats buying a new one.