Triple tree coating?

UlyTiger · Nov 27, 2025

Howdy,

I inherited a 75 Commando and she needs some love. Does anyone know what coating or paint may have been used on the triple tree? There's some light rust that I'm going to wire wheel off but I'll remove whatever coating was used. I thought I could a spray on galvanizing paint but it just looks like gray primer. Thanks in advance for any help.

marshg246 · Nov 27, 2025

UlyTiger said:
Howdy,

I inherited a 75 Commando and she needs some love. Does anyone know what coating or paint may have been used on the triple tree? There's some light rust that I'm going to wire wheel off but I'll remove whatever coating was used. I thought I could a spray on galvanizing paint but it just looks like gray primer. Thanks in advance for any help.

It's basically silver paint.

Personally, I powder coat them black as I don't like the clash of all the various "silver colors". Chrome fork ears, hard chrome forks, silver triple trees (yokes), chrome top fork bolts, chrome handlebars, stainless or chrome fenders, aluminum fork sliders, and often a different silver for fender stays. Yes, I'm fully aware that it's non-standard.

kommando · Friday at 2:53 AM

It was many years ago and as powder coatings vary as much as paint types it may not work. I had mine powder coated silver, I accidentally scratched the surface so then I applied T cut to smooth it out and found it cut it back to a grey that matched the original finish.

robs ss · Friday at 3:12 AM

If you want a very hard and easy to apply finish then try Spray Max 2K Fill Clean Systems.
Easy to use 2 part epoxy spray (rattle) can - should be available from a paint shop near you.
I have used it for many things like that - I recommend it
Standard is gloss but when they mix it for you they can add something to make it satin or matte - I like satin. It has button on the bottom of the can to release the hardener, has to be used within 24 hrs after pressing, so line up other things you might want painted with the same finish!
Cheers

2WheelsUp · Friday at 8:05 AM

I had mine sand blasted and used VHT Cast Aluminum SP995 and Rust-oleum Satin Clear enamel. It’s very close to the factory color and so far has held up well.

Dedubyah · Friday at 9:24 PM

Mine has been chromed, looks pretty good imho.

YING · Saturday at 6:39 AM

robs ss said:
If you want a very hard and easy to apply finish then try Spray Max 2K Fill Clean Systems.
Easy to use 2 part epoxy spray (rattle) can - should be available from a paint shop near you.
I have used it for many things like that - I recommend it
Standard is gloss but when they mix it for you they can add something to make it satin or matte - I like satin. It has button on the bottom of the can to release the hardener, has to be used within 24 hrs after pressing, so line up other things you might want painted with the same finish!
Cheers

Rob,
Do you fill the paint cans yourself? I just looked them up and could not find any retailers that I could order a particular color.
Thanks,Mike

YING · Saturday at 6:46 AM

robs ss said:
If you want a very hard and easy to apply finish then try Spray Max 2K Fill Clean Systems.
Easy to use 2 part epoxy spray (rattle) can - should be available from a paint shop near you.
I have used it for many things like that - I recommend it
Standard is gloss but when they mix it for you they can add something to make it satin or matte - I like satin. It has button on the bottom of the can to release the hardener, has to be used within 24 hrs after pressing, so line up other things you might want painted with the same finish!
Cheers

Rob,
Do you fill the cans yourself? If not, I could not find a retailer that does.
Thanks,Mike

elefantrider · Saturday at 8:03 AM

UlyTiger said:
Howdy,

I inherited a 75 Commando and she needs some love. Does anyone know what coating or paint may have been used on the triple tree? There's some light rust that I'm going to wire wheel off but I'll remove whatever coating was used. I thought I could a spray on galvanizing paint but it just looks like gray primer. Thanks in advance for any help.

My '76 has that too but it doesn't bother me much.

Light rust can be removed with product such as evaporust and sometimes WD40.
I would do that unless the paint is flaking off. It is a flat silver paint without primer, difficult to match up from a rattle can and I've tried them all.

Got pics?

robs ss · Saturday at 1:18 PM

YING said:
Rob,
Do you fill the cans yourself? If not, I could not find a retailer that does.
Thanks,Mike

No, one of our local paint shops sells them.
You just choose a colour and a finish and they prepare the can while you wait.
Not cheap at $40 (AUD) per can, but not too bad.
Cheers

UlyTiger · Saturday at 1:23 PM

elefantrider said:
My '76 has that too but it doesn't bother me much.

Light rust can be removed with product such as evaporust and sometimes WD40.
I would do that unless the paint is flaking off. It is a flat silver paint without primer, difficult to match up from a rattle can and I've tried them all.

Got pics?

Its just that, light rust. no major material loss. I'm just looking for ideas. It sat for a bit in a barn in northern Minneasota and now I have it at my place in the PNW. I'm not looking to make a garage queen, but I would like to shine it up a bit.

elefantrider · Sunday at 8:47 AM

Evaporust works wonders but needs to soak, does not destroy original paint or chrome. Requires water to rinse off.
It will remove cad/zinc coating from any fasteners.

You might first try dish soap and water in a ZEP spray bottle with a rag.

WD40 leaves an oily mess.

I am using WD40 Dry Lube :

Dry Lube Spray - Dirt & Dust Resistant Dry Lube | WD-40

Reduce friction and provide long-lasting lubrication with the dry lube spray from WD-40. This formula dries quickly and resists dirt and dust. WD-40 Dry Lube Spray is great for door and window tracks, slides, belts, rollers and hinges.

www.wd40.com

Anything using water and I'd recommend only doing on a warm sunny day so all the water thoroughly dries, else it will rust more!

Always start and run the engine after putting any water on or near it.

Stephen Hill · Sunday at 10:22 AM

UlyTiger said:
Its just that, light rust. no major material loss. I'm just looking for ideas. It sat for a bit in a barn in northern Minneasota and now I have it at my place in the PNW. I'm not looking to make a garage queen, but I would like to shine it up a bit.

If the "light rust" is superficial, and you are looking for a solution short of strip and repaint, try an abrasive cleaner, applied with a cloth. You could use a cutting compound or aluminum polish like autosol. This will remove the oxides. Then apply a good coating of paste wax. Buff the wax. If you don't leave the bike out in damp conditions on a regular basis, it will look good for a very long time.

Triple tree coating?

UlyTiger

marshg246

kommando

robs ss

2WheelsUp

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Dedubyah

YING

Pittsboro,NC

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Dry Lube Spray - Dirt & Dust Resistant Dry Lube | WD-40

Stephen Hill

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