We departed for Sturgis with our Tri's wheels in perfect condition. Clean and shiny. We trailered her to Sturgis and then to Yellowstone. Riding in both the Sturgis and Yellowstone areas we put about 500 miles on her.

Somewhere in the Sturgis or Yellowstone riding we got something on the OEM aluminum wheels that stained them and actually etched the aluminum. If you look closely at the attached picture you will see:
- the black streaks are actually slightly etched into the metal.
- the little dull specs are also etched into the metal.

I tried everything in my arsenal to clean this crap off. The only thing that helped was 0000 steel wool with WD40. Even with this all the "stains" seemed to leave the metal etched.

WTF...in retrospect, who ever heard of aluminum wheels not being clear coated from the factory.

So...has anyone ever seen anything like this?
Any ideas what might have caused it?
Any ideas on how to clean it off...including what looks to be etched?

I am considering having them chrome plated. Haven't had that priced yet, but hopefully that will be cheaper than replacing them with the Harley chrome wheels.

 

the little pits are on my wheels to , the black marks are weird , almost looks like the black on the wheel is running , would like to know if it is possible to coat the wheels before the pitting starts

 

Check out ***** Shiny, he has great quality chromed wheels (with exchange) for about half the price of the same factory wheels. He also has Baby Moons that enhance the rear wheels. I purchased his wheels last fall and couldn't be happier.

I think he is in CA.

 

First check to see if it is brake fluid. That stuff is nasty. Next try Armor-All glass cleaner WITHOUT ammonia. http://www.armorall.com/product-type...FbTm7AodHhwAAQ Spray, wipe, then wipe off with a rag dipped in very hot water.

 

Postal Trucker:,We are about 75 miles from ***** Shiny. Will be making a ride there this week. Thanks for the tip.

 

Third year on my ***** Shiny chrome wheels and they still look new.

 

From what I've heard on here, Shiny won't take anything that is pitted or stained. Because they use your wheels as core & give you a set already plated. But maybe he will do yours for you & give them back to you without a warranty.

 

I had the same problem,Couldn't believe they hadn't clear coated them,
Mine were really bad after the first day out, Sooo I had them painted, no more do I have to worry about the wheels corroding, Wash and forget,

 

The ones I sent back were pitted and streaked from the HD brake pads. He didn't reject them.

TriGeezer, also check out his polished rotors and spacers for the front wheel. The rotors arre polished so well they look chromed.

A note as to his customer service and quality. A friend ordered his wheels and the tire installer messed up the front rim, he called ***** and the rim was replaced at no cost.

 

Too bad ***** Shiney can't do 14's unless I am missing something?

Rax