Messed up my 2011 Wheels

[GARYD]

I spray the lower half of the bike with S100 Corrosion Protectant and keep my fingers crossed. Worked for me on all my past bikes.

Will check on those wheels.

 

[wonderment]

I'll get some of that, too.

 

[trikermutha]

Why not get them cleaned up and have them sealed,painted,powdered coated or whatever suits your needs.. Then you should have more time to ride less time cleaning wheels..

 

[rae2012]

The one I use is Flitz metal polish .

 

[GARYD]

Just an update. I bought a set of brand new wheels from a 2013 TG wheels never left the dealership. "Buy it now" price was $289. Took me all of 2 seconds to click the "Buy" button.

Now I'm looking into chroming or powdercoating them. I will put them on for the summer and leave the existing corroded ones on with new tires for the winter.

Or possibly leaving the chrome ones on if I go with Wheel Creations Plus. They do a vacuum chrome plate process and give a 5 year unconditional warranty that even covers salt spray. I'm waiting for a quote
from them now.

Any chrome plater recommendations?

 

[bustedwing]

That's what happened, that moisture had salt brine so your wheels were reacting to the salt. That's why you don't see a lot of bikes out on the roads until a good rain washes the salt off the roads. I agree with ABA use 0000 steel wool then use a good aluminum polish to protect them from further damage.

 

[Frang]

I've used a product called Flintz.Smooth it on with a finger than hit it with a powerball in a drill.Took all the corrosion off.

 

[GARYD]

Do you mean Flitz? Yes that's a great product, but not for this problem.

I think the reason these spots can't be removed(and I've tried all the recommended solutions mentioned here) is because the stain is actually inbedded into the aluminum not on the surface. If it was on the surface any one of these recommendations would have worked.

I did have great success doing the steel wool and laquer thinner on my Vette wheels when the clear coat started wearing of. That was very labor intensive, but it wasn't the same thing as some of us are having with our Harley wheels.

 

[Pegasus1300]

Bar keepers friend, Its a power and It comes in a can similar to comet, Ajax' etc Home depot, Shoprite sells it.
Google it, They'll have a list of sellers ThumbUp

If you can't find the Barkeepers Friend use Bon Ami.It has no abrasives but polishes very well.OEM car makers use it to clean new car windshields.If you can't find 0000 steel wool use 1500 grit sandpaper then 2000 then rouge then polish. It will take a little work but you can get them back to the way they were.When you have them as good as you want them, you might want to think about a clear powder coating or at least a clear paint. Even under the best of circumstances raw aluminum requires constant attention to keep it looking good.

 

[icedad]

I' been polishing aluminum wheels for 40 years and everything here mentioned will work. Rule of thumb is, don't ride in the winter unless you have polish on the aluminum, otherwise it is unprotected from salt and salt eats aluminum. No matter which way you look at it, whatever you purchase, it's still gonna come down to a little elbow grease. I've always used jewelers rouge, buffer, and or "old school" Mothers, and even some simichrome polish.
Don't ride in the spring when the roads start to sweat either, or the same thing will happen. Been there done that. Keep em clean and they will always shine.

 

[GARYD]

Icedad, too bad you don't live close to me - I'd bring my wheels to you and have you do them.

Like I said, nothing worked for me even steelwool or sandpaper, but of course I didn't spend 2 hours on one either.

As far as I can tell, these stains go deep into the aluminum and are not on the surface. At least mine are - don't know about other peoples stains.

Anyway I got my new wheels so I'll have a winter set and a summer set. ThumbUp

 

[Thomkm]

I' been polishing aluminum wheels for 40 years and everything here mentioned will work. Rule of thumb is, don't ride in the winter unless you have polish on the aluminum, otherwise it is unprotected from salt and salt eats aluminum. No matter which way you look at it, whatever you purchase, it's still gonna come down to a little elbow grease. I've always used jewelers rouge, buffer, and or "old school" Mothers, and even some simichrome polish.
Don't ride in the spring when the roads start to sweat either, or the same thing will happen. Been there done that. Keep em clean and they will always shine.

Would a good coat of car wax help protect them?

 

[GARYD]

Any wax will help - especially a good hard carnuba.

 

[hocnsoc]

I just polished my wheels with SEMICHROME. It is a product by Happich of Germany. The black aluminum residuals on the cloth are doing the polishing so use that area as long as you can. Have used this product for several years. With patience and perseverance you can get to a chrome like finish if desired. Bought these 50 gram tubes at the local HD dealer.

 

[flynng]

Try going to auto parts store and get the wheel cleaner for raw aluminum, the spray on pump stuff. It's called Eagle One Etching mag wheel cleaner. Don't get it on you or your paint, it is acid based. Clean wheels with that stuff as directed. Should get rid of the stains, then polish with Flitz, Mothers, or whoever.

 

[screwball]

Like BikerBozo said, wish my wheels looked that 'bad'. I guess 40,000 miles of year round driving takes its toll.

Good Luck.

 

[GARYD]

Yes it does, especially in Chicago.

 

[rap47]

Yep, been there-done that. I have used just about everything mentioned in this thread in the last many years on many parts and wheels. Done with that!! I now use the 123 method. 1-take wheel off trike 2-take tire off rim 3-send rim to WillyShiny to be chromed.:laugh:

 

[cooltech]

I don't know if this will help after all the post on this. The previous owner of my bike didn't give the wheel love, it needed. I took my sons Drum kit cymbal polish, non corrosive, and applied it; the area's with the stains, turned blackish as i rubbed with cloth and Q-tips in tight spaces; cleaned up I'd say a good 80%. But as mentioned earlier, if it's gettig into the aluminum other measure's may be needed.
cooltech

 

[smith1j]

White Diamond works great and they always set up a display around Daytona during bike week and octoberfest week. About $15 a bottle and they sell it at Lowes also.

Tomg

This works great. Had a problem with the wheels on my Ultra Classic and after using about everything else a friend suggested the White Diamond. I picked some up at Advance Auto Parts.

 

[53servicar]

i use fine steel wool with autosol paste on the steel wool works good for me.

 

[Texan]

Flitz is a great product. Use it all the time.

Just bought a set of HD Anarchy wheels and love 'em. Got a set of '13 rears with like new OEM tires (maybe 2000 miles) I'm planning to get rid of soon.

I have a friend in Indiana that the salt got to his and spotted 'em bad. He tried everything and finally sanded 'em lightly with 1000 grit giving them a little 'tooth' then sprayed them with a 'close' trike color matching Plasti-Dip. He clear coated the polished exposed fins and outer rim. Look great. He's out of the country right now. Will see if he'll send me some pics when he gets back.


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