Cleaning up my rims
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Cleaning up my rims
Have my front tire off on my 09 rk and while it's off I figured I'd clean it up... Rims in kinda rough shape and looks like it's starting to pit and oxidize... It's the aluminum 28 spoke rim and it heard a lot of people using mothers mag and aluminum polish, tried it last night with the powerball and I had black residue coming off which it says is good but nothing is coming out.... Is there a clear coat on those rims and if so how do I get the stuff out underneath?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 6
From: Liberty, NC
My wheels were in about the same condition from being neglected by the previous owner. I tried steel wool, metal polish and lots of elbow grease. It was looking better but still not great. I then went to some 1000 and 2000 sand paper and then 00 steel wool, that made the aluminum shine like new money. It was a lot of finger cramping, dirty work but it looks way better now!
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Thanks for the suggestions so far , I'll try some 2000 grit and the steel wool followed with the mothers polish and see where that takes me.... So I'm assuming there is a clear coat on the it then?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Try going to a big rig shop, they have a good variety of wheels and polish. My logger truck driving buddies hooked me up. The process is much faster than a mothers ball but also a lot messier.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Baltimore
Flitz worked pretty well on the solid disc rims on my Fatboy. Lots of elbow grease but it worked.
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Been using the same for years, works really well. Another product I use is Semi-Chrome.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
If the wheels have clear coat, you'll have to strip it first using steel wool. A drill with a wire-wheel brush or cup brush will work, too. Once you remove the clear coat polish the wheel using Semi-chrome, Flitz or Never Dull.