ok, I got a 04 fatboy used and am trying to clean up the wheels, they are pretty bad. One side I am pleased with, the other side seems to have gouges below the surface or some kind of deposits on the aluminum outer ring. So far doing all by hand with Mothers mag and alum polish. would a powerball on a drill make the difference? or am i stuck-if this has been a thread before please direct me i did not find on search.

 

I have an '09 with the same issue. Gota love the un-coated aluminum wheels. Might need something slightly more abrasive depending on the level of damage. Rubbing compound safe for metals or a T-cutting compound.

Saw a great tutorial on restoring old rims. Need to remove them, clean them, use a t-cut on them, polish then, then seal them. They'll sparkle like new.

 

someone put the bike up for an extended period with a bunch of brake dust/junk deposits on the wheels. notice the shitty looking side is the rotor side? they have NO clearcoat on them from the factory, and tend to pit from comtamination. i have had very good luck with products made for cleaning alluminum boats (aluminex). follow the directions for how to dilute. NEVER use full strenght.mix a small amout up in a plastic bowl. 0000 steel wool will help things along. dip the steelwool into the mix and work that way. dont just rag a bunch allover the wheel. rinse very well with water and wear gloves. when you get all done a LIGHT FILM of wd/40 will make then shine like new and help negate oxidation. takes a little time but works very well. as far as spraying something on, drinking a beer, hosing off, and looking like new.......NO SUCH THING. some mag wheel cleaners will work also, but i tend to stay with the boat cleaner. easier to work with steve

 

yeah steel wool sounds like a realistic option. the mothers wasn't plug and play and that's why i got frustrated. worked wonders on everything else scrub scrub buff. 0000 steel wool though great idea thanks

 

0000 steel wool and some blue magic or master gloss metal polish. I also used s100 polishing soap with good results on pitted wheels in the past.

 

thanks guys-off to store

 

the whool and the blue magic is a great tip, you are local man, i have a huge buffing wheel if you want to pull your wheels off. it is up to you

 

After several years of trying to polish the shine back, I got serious and read up on polishing. Take the wheel off, including the belt drive wheel and the brake rotor. Then the tire if you really want to but not comepletely necessary. Start by wetsanding the entire wheel with a flexible sanding block, use good 400 grit wet sand paper and switch it out often. Goes alot easier. The wheel will look like a satin finish when done with that step. Clean the wheel very good and let it dry. Then use a hard felt bob with black compound and work the shine back into the finish. It will look pretty good but after you cover every inch with this step, you need to polish it with a buff wheel. I used a 4in sewn cotton wheel with Flitz to get the final shine. Took about 15hrs over a couple days. I sanded and polished the belt drive wheel the same way. I had to go with a heavier sanding first off to get the rough grey finish down to smooth aluminum, then go with 400 grit sandpaper and so on. Hope this helps, be brave!

 

Read my thread!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...lid-wheel.html

 

thanks to all hope to take the time this week to get it done, appreciate all the good advice. I will try by hand first if that does not get it quite the way i want I may get a hold of you Joe -thanks