Should be clear anodized aluminum, looks like the anodizing has been stripped, soap might have been too caustic??

 

Aren't the covers chrome? What factory coating? I have never looked that close at a switchback...

 

the covers are polished aluminum and coated with some kind of clear coat. i stripped mine with paint stripper and was VERY careful about it.

 

That make since now...

 

i know that you can strip them with a buffer and clay bars but that takes a while. paint stripper will eat any painted or coated surface so be careful if you decide to go that route. maybe some other guys know a better way to strip off that crap. in a few years it turns yellow anyway.

 

I'd try using some Flitz in a hidden area and see what happens. Only soap I use is Meguiars Gold Class, but even then the hard water can leave spotting like that sometimes.

 

What would be good to use to strip it off?

 

if you have never done this or have no friends who could lend you a hand, i would pay a polisher to do it for you. or, you could get some brasso and spend a few hours doing it yourself.

brasso will do the job but i guarantee you your arms will be sore when done.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEQQ8wIwAQ

only use this to strip off the coating. you will be able to tell the areas that are coming off. get it all off then use a polish made for aluminum after that to buff it to a shine like semi-chrome.

http://www.amazon.com/Restoration-Ce.../dp/B000FGICHM

 

Looks like somebody used a wheel cleaner or product not rated for aluminium , need to know what you used or how you washed the bike before a workable solution can be offered . Don't want to make it worse or cost you unnecessarily .

 

Yep. looks like what happens with "Mag Cleaner" or some other Caustic cleaning solution.