What works for me, is wet sanding with 800 grit paper, then re-polishing with "semi-chrome" or "mother's" polishing paste. If the bars are anodized, then I use the cheap oven cleaner spray from my local "99ยข only" store to first remove the anodizing. I've noticed that the anodizing on some ttt bars to be really tough, and unaffected by the oven cleaner, that otherwise works fine removing anodizing from Campagnolo parts. On these, I've just had to do a LOT more of the wet sanding. After the anodizing is removed, it's easy to wet sand your scratches out. Have fun!
Duane Kennard
> From: "Greg F" <claws24@home.com>
> Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 10:39:14 -0700
> To: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Subject: [CR]buffing scratches out of aluminum
>
> I have a neat old handlebar that has some scratches right next to the stem.
>
> Is there a way to get these out and not loose the high polish around them?
>
> I was thinking of using #0000 steel wool until it got smooth but I think the
> area around the scratch would come out dull and not a near mirror finish
> like the rest of the clamp area.
>
> Unfortunately I do not have a buffing wheel or anything and would like to do
> this by hand/ on the cheap.
>
> Thanks
>
> Greg