Aluminum tarnish questions,
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Sooke BC
Aluminum tarnish questions,
So, My Rocker developed some aluminum cancer over the winter while in storage. Its only stage one.. Meaning At this point they only look like dark stains. I have tried power-ball and power-metal chemo. But Im not having very much luck. Ill post up some pics later day.
Anyone have any tips, or hints as to what I might be doing wrong, or not at all?
Anyone have any tips, or hints as to what I might be doing wrong, or not at all?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: n
I always liked Mother's polish for aluminum on my old Dynas. A little elbow grease and you could have it looking near chrome. I still use it on my brake and clutch levers as I am too cheap to buy chrome ones. Just rub it in till it starts turning black, then wipe it off.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
Ive used california custom polish with very good results.
Found them while detailing my work truck.
They say to use the Aluminum Deoxidizer first and I agree.
Brought my Fuel and water tanks to chrome look very nicely.
californiacustom.com
Found them while detailing my work truck.
They say to use the Aluminum Deoxidizer first and I agree.
Brought my Fuel and water tanks to chrome look very nicely.
californiacustom.com
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 14
From: Northern Colorado
From my experiences, use some 0000 fine wool and mothers polish and go slow an easy. It should come rite out. AND SHINE. If it doesnt come out just polish alittle harder, but do it evenly, dont do too much on one spot or it will show and look like SH*T
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
Re: Alum cleaning Polish
i have always used the Happich Simichrome polish. it is not cheap, but works much better than the Mothers. It has been around a long time. we used it in 1970's on the alum cases on my cb750 honda. Most Harley dealers have it. also on ebay, and some spped-and-sport type shops also.
just get a bunch of rags and start rubbing. like any other cleaner , it will not happen instantly, you will find there is more of the oxidation (black stuff) on your wheels than you know.
it is also supposed to leave a light residue on protectant to keep the alum from oxidizing as fast.
after using the mothers (because it is cheaper) to do the first cleaning, i then go to the simichrome pink polish.
let you arms and hands be the guide on how good you want the wheels to look.
thanks
Pat in Tennessee
2008 Rocker C- FXCWC
SE Stage II 103 Cu. In. Big Bore Kit (1690 cc) 3-7/8
SE Pro 4-3/8 Stroker Flywheel and Rod Assy.
SE 10-1/2:1 Flat Top Pistons
SE Pro 58mm EFI Throttle Body
SE 255 Cam (Torque)
SE Roller Rocker Arms
SE Roller Tappets
SE Valve Spring Kit
SE ST Spark Plugs
SE 10mm Spark Plug
SE Pro Tuner Kit
Vance and Hines Big Radius Exhaust
SE Stage 1 Air Cleaner Kit Wires
SE Hi Flow Billet Air Cleaner with 103 Medallion
FXCW Luggage Rack Kit (Now Chrome Plated)
FXCW Seat
Mustang Sissy bar Pad (VSRC)
Custom Fabricated Sissy Bar (polished stainless steel)
H-D Flames Footpegs
H-D Chrome Voltage Regulator Cover
Custom Stainless 1 Tank Lift
Kuryakin ISO Grips
Comagination Head Light Modulator
Scorpio SR-i901 Active Security System
H-D Windshield
H-D Chrome Shift Rod Kit
just get a bunch of rags and start rubbing. like any other cleaner , it will not happen instantly, you will find there is more of the oxidation (black stuff) on your wheels than you know.
it is also supposed to leave a light residue on protectant to keep the alum from oxidizing as fast.
after using the mothers (because it is cheaper) to do the first cleaning, i then go to the simichrome pink polish.
let you arms and hands be the guide on how good you want the wheels to look.
thanks
Pat in Tennessee
2008 Rocker C- FXCWC
SE Stage II 103 Cu. In. Big Bore Kit (1690 cc) 3-7/8
SE Pro 4-3/8 Stroker Flywheel and Rod Assy.
SE 10-1/2:1 Flat Top Pistons
SE Pro 58mm EFI Throttle Body
SE 255 Cam (Torque)
SE Roller Rocker Arms
SE Roller Tappets
SE Valve Spring Kit
SE ST Spark Plugs
SE 10mm Spark Plug
SE Pro Tuner Kit
Vance and Hines Big Radius Exhaust
SE Stage 1 Air Cleaner Kit Wires
SE Hi Flow Billet Air Cleaner with 103 Medallion
FXCW Luggage Rack Kit (Now Chrome Plated)
FXCW Seat
Mustang Sissy bar Pad (VSRC)
Custom Fabricated Sissy Bar (polished stainless steel)
H-D Flames Footpegs
H-D Chrome Voltage Regulator Cover
Custom Stainless 1 Tank Lift
Kuryakin ISO Grips
Comagination Head Light Modulator
Scorpio SR-i901 Active Security System
H-D Windshield
H-D Chrome Shift Rod Kit
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Living close to the beach my Rocker's wheels started to look like crap. I tried Mothers ball and polish, and it still look like crap. A friend of mine gave some polish he got from SEMA and after couple simple wipes the shine started to come through the haze. I spend about 1 hour on the wheels and they look great. I now give them a simple cleaning every 2 weeks or so...they look GOOD!
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polish
Living close to the beach my Rocker's wheels started to look like crap. I tried Mothers ball and polish, and it still look like crap. A friend of mine gave some polish he got from SEMA and after couple simple wipes the shine started to come through the haze. I spend about 1 hour on the wheels and they look great. I now give them a simple cleaning every 2 weeks or so...they look GOOD!
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: missouri
I'm a lazy sort so I jacked my bike up, started it, put it in first gear, and let the rear wheel spin while I held 2000 grit sandpaper to the wheel followed by steel wool then mag wheel polish. looks good and there is no uneveness...and it's quick. front wheel doesn't get too bad...brasso works pretty good there.