Topic: Best Way to Clean Polished Aluminum Wheels? (Read 20656 times)

SilverDawg · « **on:** February 17, 2008, 09:24:06 AM »

As some of you know, I recently bought the 2008 Rocker C, and one of its features is polished aluminum wheels. This is my first bike that the wheels actually show a hell of a lot, and now I need to find out what is the best way to get these babies shining bright and staying that way.

Anyone have any experience with these types of wheels? I have a fairly strong staple of cleaning supplies (Glare, Meguiars, etc.) but nothing specifically designed for polished aluminum.

Help?

Chief · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2008, 09:26:56 AM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 09:24:06 AM

As some of you know, I recently bought the 2008 Rocker C, and one of its features is polished aluminum wheels. This is my first bike that the wheels actually show a hell of a lot, and now I need to find out what is the best way to get these babies shining bright and staying that way.

Anyone have any experience with these types of wheels? I have a fairly strong staple of cleaning supplies (Glare, Meguiars, etc.) but nothing specifically designed for polished aluminum.

Help?

I for one do not like polished aluminum for the sole reason that it needs to be polished continuously. too much labor of love for me. I would be looking for a chrome substitute.

To answer your question... how do you keep polished aluminum wheels shining? Chrome them.

SilverDawg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2008, 09:51:48 AM »

OK Counselor

, as sometimes happens, let me rephrase my question

What is a great product and procedure to keep your polished aluminum wheels looking great, WITHOUT getting them chromed up?

Chief · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2008, 09:56:53 AM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 09:51:48 AM

OK Counselor , as sometimes happens, let me rephrase my question

What is a great product and procedure to keep your polished aluminum wheels looking great, WITHOUT getting them chromed up?

I don't know of any. In my mind it's just like trying to keep silver polished. Hats off to those who keep it looking sharp, but it's just too much time to keep it shining bright. Sorry I can't give you a better answer that that.

Popular products are Mothers polish, Never dull, Simichrome, BOM at bike shows etc. But all of them require you to apply and buff off the oxidation to get a nice shine. It's unprotected metal which begins oxidizing immediately.

I would contact some polishing and plating operations to see what they reccomend. they'll probably say "chrome it", but I'm hopeful they could give you some ideas that would last.

HogBreath · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:09:53 AM »

Ok..this is some funny chit

SilverDawg · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:09:53 AM »

Thanks Chief,

BTW, what do you think it would cost to get these two babies chromed up?

SilverDawg · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:12:23 AM »

Quote from: HogBreath on February 17, 2008, 10:09:53 AM

Ok..this is some funny chit

Hey now, I risk extreme ridicule by everyone on this site if I cannot get these babies to shine....

BTW, How do you think Bib Overalls and the Rocker would look together? Not sure the metrosexuals in Dallas could handle that.

I can perhaps sew in matching flames to match those on the bike

Chief · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:21:13 AM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 10:09:53 AM

Thanks Chief,

BTW, what do you think it would cost to get these two babies chromed up?

I don't have a clue. My only chroming experience is what I'm going through right now and that is just some assorted brackets at a local shop. Sorry.

grc · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:28:15 AM »

Back when I was young and full of piss and vinegar, I used Simichrome polish to clean aluminum wheels and various other aluminum parts. Great stuff, but you can look forward to using up lots of rags as they quickly load up with black residue. Rather than wear out your fingers, I suggest using compressed cotton "buffs" mounted to a drill motor or Dremel tool (best approach is a flex shaft attachment for either). It will make life much easier if you remove the wheel from the bike, especially the rear.

Simichrome will leave a protective residue that seems to retard oxidation for a short while, but a good approach is to follow the polish with a coat of protective wax. You can still look forward to doing this cleaning and waxing routine at least yearly. One other approach you might want to consider is to get the wheels professionally polished and then clear coated. Most auto companies clear coat their aluminum wheels, and when it's done right and the clear remains unbroken the wheels look good for many years, requiring no more than normal washing to look good.

Jerry

SilverDawg · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:40:26 AM »

Thanks Jerry.

I'll do a search for that product. I also have a buffer, but it is most likely too big to do these wheels.

sadunbar · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:57:19 AM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 10:40:26 AM

Thanks Jerry.

I'll do a search for that product. I also have a buffer, but it is most likely too big to do these wheels.

The front forks on my 85 V-65 Magna are aluminum. I discovered a few years ago that with enough elbow grease they could be brought to a near mirror finish. Once I achieved this, I had them sprayed with a few coats of clear - which stood up for several years.

Fired00d · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:57:33 AM »

Agree w/Jerry on the clearcoating. Once that is done you can just wash and wipe them off. My previous bike had the wheels polished and clear coated before I purchased it and I only washed the wheels and wiped them off. Never applied any polishing/waxing treatments to them at all.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

HogBreath · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:34:18 AM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 10:12:23 AM

Hey now, I risk extreme ridicule by everyone on this site if I cannot get these babies to shine....

BTW, How do you think Bib Overalls and the Rocker would look together? Not sure the metrosexuals in Dallas could handle that.

I can perhaps sew in matching flames to match those on the bike

I think bibs go together with anything anywhere. Metrosexuals??

Notice how the Red Wings just seem to flow with this outfit. Flowing graceful lines. Metrosexuals--eat your hearts out.

SilverDawg · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:39:17 AM »

If you had the Jim Beam (or Jack Daniels) headband, all would be perfect.

I gots to get me a pair of them bibs, problem is, I'm not sure they sell them in Dallas.

Does Mrs. JesterDecor have a pair as well?

HogBreath · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:46:56 AM »

Carharts

Summit Electrical supply on Makana
BTWW Retail on Dragon St
Ferguson Enterprises on Slocum St
Western Warehouse on N Stemmons Pkwy
Uniforms Inc on Prudential Dr
OR to kill two birds with one trip
RedWing Shoe Store on S. Hampton Rd.

SilverDawg · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:56:03 AM »

When we meet up for a ride, I promise to have a pair by then.

Arkansas? Arizona?

HogBreath · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:01:37 PM »

Not going to make Arizona, but, I'll be at Hot Springs.

SilverDawg · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:05:33 PM »

Just so we try to keep this thread on track, Will you help me polish my wheels in Arkansas

I'll hand you the simichrome, you can put it on, buff it off and apply a coat of wax, then I will put the top back on the polish.

Deal

HogBreath · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:08:49 PM »

Quote from: Cobaltman on February 17, 2008, 12:05:33 PM

Just so we try to keep this thread on track, Will you help me polish my wheels in Arkansas I'll hand you the simichrome, you can put it on, buff it off and apply a coat of wax, then I will put the top back on the polish.

Deal

I'm sure that will never happen. Time is money. It'd taske less time to just order chrome wheels. Let the dealer do it while he's changing the oil. Problem solved.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2008, 01:32:36 PM »

Quote from: Chief on February 17, 2008, 09:26:56 AM

Chrome them.

When the Chief is right the Chief is right. Chrome baby; chrome.

There is an inverse relationship between length of time polished wheels are kept looking good and length of fingers.

HUBBARD · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2008, 02:48:30 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on February 17, 2008, 01:32:36 PM

When the Chief is right the Chief is right. Chrome baby; chrome.

There is an inverse relationship between length of time polished wheels are kept looking good and length of fingers.

Chrome will get you home! Later--HUBBARD

LRebel · « **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2008, 03:05:43 PM »

I have had both polished aluminum and chrome......Chrome is the way to go.

The polished aluminum takes a lot of time and elbow grease to keep them looking good. And what ever you do, don't let a dog take a whiz on your aluminum wheels. It will burn/stain the aluminum and you will never get it out.

103_RK · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2008, 06:24:45 AM »

Have the wheels polished and then powder coated in clear. They will look good. There is an outfit called Sanjoy Engraving that will do it.

harleync · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2008, 06:53:54 AM »

I HAVE USED ALOT OF PRODUCTS SOME ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS..BUT AFTER YEARS OF TRYING JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING I USE LUSTER PAD. IT TAKES SOME TIME AND ELBOW GREASE BUT IT WORKS AND SEALS THE RIM
http://www.properautocare.com/lusterpad.html

MUFFMAN · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2008, 05:07:25 AM »

I use EAGLE ONE aluminum polish on all parts that have to be aluminum polished. This stuff is fantastic and when used with super & I mean super fine steel wool it gives a mirror like finish.

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #25 on:** March 20, 2008, 10:30:30 PM »

Neverdull works really well and is the easiest thing to use.

There are better products like simichrome but they are a royal pain in the ass with the brake rotors etc etc in the way.

Just my $0.02

B B

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #26 on:** March 20, 2008, 10:31:53 PM »

Quote from: 103_RK on February 19, 2008, 06:24:45 AM

Have the wheels polished and then powder coated in clear. They will look good. There is an outfit called Sanjoy Engraving that will do it.

You never shared a pic of the engraved wheel you got from me with all of us on the site.

I'd like to see it on your bike and I'm sure others would as well

B B

NukeIT · « **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2008, 06:08:22 PM »

powdercoating is the best way to go, but you got to spend more dough... but hey what else is there to do...

Capo · « **Reply #28 on:** March 30, 2008, 09:55:19 AM »

I sold the aluminum and replaaced them with chrome-too much energy not enough riding!

sparksky · « **Reply #29 on:** April 22, 2008, 05:34:48 PM »

I just bought a product called Wizards Metal Renew, I applied w/ the Mothers Polish Ball in 18 volt drill. Low speed and finished off by hand and some S100 detail/wax spray. Looks like new!

Sparksky

BIGDOG · « **Reply #30 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:29:18 AM »

I love to polish metal and always use a product called WENAL works great and lasts for 6 months or so.

Seegarsmkr · « **Reply #31 on:** April 23, 2008, 01:21:25 PM »

Quote from: SPIDERMAN on March 20, 2008, 10:30:30 PM

Neverdull works really well and is the easiest thing to use.

There are better products like simichrome but they are a royal pain in the ass with the brake rotors etc etc in the way.

Just my $0.02

B B

I couldn't agree more with Neverdull...you can use it on ANYTHING metal and it works like a charm...I needed two cans...my wife stole mine for inside the house.

Seegarz

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2008, 11:39:19 AM »

oh yeah and there's a line from an old song that applies here too

" work and work and work you're fingers to the bone "

B B

Capo · « **Reply #33 on:** April 27, 2008, 11:40:12 AM »

Quote from: SPIDERMAN on April 27, 2008, 11:39:19 AM

oh yeah and there's a line from an old song that applies here too

" work and work and work you're fingers to the bone "

B B

B B i am with you as you know=give me chrome that cleans up quick so I can RIDE!!!

Author Topic: Best Way to Clean Polished Aluminum Wheels? (Read 20656 times)

SPIDERMAN

SPIDERMAN

SPIDERMAN