Cleaning Wheels
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Joined: May 2006
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Cleaning Wheels
Guys
I know there are a zillion threads on this and I have read many but I want to give you my situation to confirm my plan is a good one. My bike is a 2001 FLHT standard. I have had the bike about a month. It's really clean but the polished aluminum has been neglected. I bought a lift, white diamond polish, never dull and a mothers mini powerball. I started on the front wheel with the powerball and white diamond polish. I then worked on it with the never dull and also tried some white diamond with the never dull. My results were very good but not perfect. The aluminum is all in good condition and does not appear as others have described as pitted but there are some spots that look like stains that will not go away. I am considering trying the sandpaper 500, 600,800 and up route. what do you think? Anything else to try first?? Thanks
I know there are a zillion threads on this and I have read many but I want to give you my situation to confirm my plan is a good one. My bike is a 2001 FLHT standard. I have had the bike about a month. It's really clean but the polished aluminum has been neglected. I bought a lift, white diamond polish, never dull and a mothers mini powerball. I started on the front wheel with the powerball and white diamond polish. I then worked on it with the never dull and also tried some white diamond with the never dull. My results were very good but not perfect. The aluminum is all in good condition and does not appear as others have described as pitted but there are some spots that look like stains that will not go away. I am considering trying the sandpaper 500, 600,800 and up route. what do you think? Anything else to try first?? Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 4
From: Canada
If your using the Powerball for the aluminum, there is the problem, the foam is not aggressive enough to remove small imperfections. A cotton buffing wheel is the way to go, the results are far better that the foam ball. I use Mothers aluminum polish with the cotton wheel, followed by a clean wheel to remove the black oxidation. Repeat the process twice. My 08 wheels look better than the did when they were new. The trick is to use a high speed drill, with lots of pressure. Just my two cents.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 188
Likes: 4
From: Arizona
Guys
I know there are a zillion threads on this and I have read many but I want to give you my situation to confirm my plan is a good one. My bike is a 2001 FLHT standard. I have had the bike about a month. It's really clean but the polished aluminum has been neglected. I bought a lift, white diamond polish, never dull and a mothers mini powerball. I started on the front wheel with the powerball and white diamond polish. I then worked on it with the never dull and also tried some white diamond with the never dull. My results were very good but not perfect. The aluminum is all in good condition and does not appear as others have described as pitted but there are some spots that look like stains that will not go away. I am considering trying the sandpaper 500, 600,800 and up route. what do you think? Anything else to try first?? Thanks
I know there are a zillion threads on this and I have read many but I want to give you my situation to confirm my plan is a good one. My bike is a 2001 FLHT standard. I have had the bike about a month. It's really clean but the polished aluminum has been neglected. I bought a lift, white diamond polish, never dull and a mothers mini powerball. I started on the front wheel with the powerball and white diamond polish. I then worked on it with the never dull and also tried some white diamond with the never dull. My results were very good but not perfect. The aluminum is all in good condition and does not appear as others have described as pitted but there are some spots that look like stains that will not go away. I am considering trying the sandpaper 500, 600,800 and up route. what do you think? Anything else to try first?? Thanks
SOS pad with lot`s of water works great for pit`s also!!
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 93
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From: ellsworth,il
i used 320 grit then 600,800 then 1000 then mothers polish. worked very well was pleased now wanting to get chrome ones.
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Joined: May 2006
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If your using the Powerball for the aluminum, there is the problem, the foam is not aggressive enough to remove small imperfections. A cotton buffing wheel is the way to go, the results are far better that the foam ball. I use Mothers aluminum polish with the cotton wheel, followed by a clean wheel to remove the black oxidation. Repeat the process twice. My 08 wheels look better than the did when they were new. The trick is to use a high speed drill, with lots of pressure. Just my two cents.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: earth
If your using the Powerball for the aluminum, there is the problem, the foam is not aggressive enough to remove small imperfections. A cotton buffing wheel is the way to go, the results are far better that the foam ball. I use Mothers aluminum polish with the cotton wheel, followed by a clean wheel to remove the black oxidation. Repeat the process twice. My 08 wheels look better than the did when they were new. The trick is to use a high speed drill, with lots of pressure. Just my two cents.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
I feel your pain... Aluminum wheels can take some time, especially if they've ever been neglected. When I bought my Limited, the chrome wheels were one of the determining factors why I chose it over an Ultra Classic. I looked at those 28 spokers and thought "no way" do I want to be maintaining those unless they're chromed.
Most of the advice here is pretty good, actually suprisingly good.
Most of the advice here is pretty good, actually suprisingly good.