Happich Simichrome Polishing Paste

Even the most cared for vintage motorcycles lose their shine over time, especially on metal parts like wheels. Brightwork becomes dull with age as scratches and pitting develop, which is where a good metal polish like Simichrome Polish comes in. 

Throwing out the age-worn metal part and replacing it with a new one can be costly, especially if replacement parts are rare or no longer manufactured. Prices for hard-to-get vintage parts can costa fortune. Before you put a sizable dent in your bank account ordering a hard-to-get part, try restoring your motorcycle or ATV’s metal components with Happich Simichrome Polish.

Developed in Germany in the 1950’s, Simichrome Polish became a favorite of custom bike builders and Harley owners in the 1960s, and has remained so ever since. Simichrome metal polish is excellent at keeping brightwork gleaming like a mirror, but its real strength lies in the restorative properties it gives to age-worn metal motorcycle parts. 

Unlike the regular polishes you’ll find in your local auto parts store, Simichrome Polish is formulated to clean, polish and leave a protective film on any uncoated non-ferrous motorcycle metal it’s applied to, including chrome, aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, silver, brass, copper and pewter.

In the video above, Partzilla’s expert mechanic John Talley took the front wheel off his 1967 Honda CT90 motorcycle to see what Simichrome Polish could do for it. By applying a small amount to the wheel rim with a rag, the polishing paste cleaned away the ingrained dirt, and removed minor scratches and pitting from the surface. 

Although not visible to the naked eye, the Simichrome Polish left behind a protective film that sealed the motorcycle wheel's metal against further wear. The difference was remarkable, and required nothing more than a little bit of elbow grease to apply.

Although Simichrome Polish works wonders on metal, it can’t turn back time. If rust and corrosion have reached the point that much of the chrome plating has flaked off, or the pitting into the stainless steel is deep and extensive, Simichrome Polish can’t restore what’s no longer there. However, for metal motorcycle parts that are in relatively good shape, it does a great job of cleaning up the surface, smoothing over small pits and making the part presentable again.

Simichrome Polish is available in 1.76oz tubes or 8oz tins. It’s a great addition to any toolbox or garage, and will save you a lot of money if you have metal parts on your motorcycle or ATV that could be restored instead of replaced.