Enforcer Wheels
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 410
Likes: 35
From: NC
I did on a '96 GSXR back in the day, looked great but they demanded a lot of attention to keep them looking good.
I removed the wheels to make it easier, bought the polishing wheels to go on a drill and all the polishing compound needed. It was a dirty job but turned out great.
If mine are clear coated its a a very thin coat of it, I can run my finger nail across the exposed aluminum and feel the ridges or grooves left from machining process.
I removed the wheels to make it easier, bought the polishing wheels to go on a drill and all the polishing compound needed. It was a dirty job but turned out great.
If mine are clear coated its a a very thin coat of it, I can run my finger nail across the exposed aluminum and feel the ridges or grooves left from machining process.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,282
From: OH, USA
There's no clear coat on our rims.
Someone here powder coated a set that's contrast black and chrome. They look great. Good luck finding the thread. Hopefully he sees this thread. I have questions. I'd like to do it too.
Someone here powder coated a set that's contrast black and chrome. They look great. Good luck finding the thread. Hopefully he sees this thread. I have questions. I'd like to do it too.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 36
From: Florida
I painted mine. First I sanded smooth the area's you see not black. Taped that off, sprayed the black, removed the tape and cleared the whole wheel.
There is a local guy by me that polishes wheels and lowers, I bought his lowers and they are not holding up, unless you want to polish them every week, not me. I will go black lowers soon enough. Can't imagine trying to keep a wheel polished.
There is a local guy by me that polishes wheels and lowers, I bought his lowers and they are not holding up, unless you want to polish them every week, not me. I will go black lowers soon enough. Can't imagine trying to keep a wheel polished.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 125
From: Reading, PA
I polished the bare aluminum surfaces on my stock wheels (14 SGS) before I put the bike away for the winter, it looks pretty good. I used Blue Magic metal polish (smells like ammonia) on a cotton cloth, and cleaned it up with a terry towel followed by a microfiber towel. It is slow going due to difficult access and because you've got to keep the polish off the black areas. I just took my time, used small amounts of polish and wiped any polish off the black painted surfaces immediately as I went along. Wear gloves and don't be in a rush. The towels are trashed afterwards.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 713
Likes: 97
From: Castle Rock, Colorado
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 461
Likes: 21
From: Providence
Man, I had to do it three times with the Harley Davidson raw metal polish and it still needs another polish. I felt like the Karate kid doing, "wax on, wax off"!
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