Polishing rims

[Trampas]

Just curious what everyone used to polish their rims with, what brand of product, by hand or by the mother's ball or the cone. I know what a few of you have used but I can't get it here, would have to order online. I'm talking products in the auto places or walmart, which walmart has quite a few different brands.


I did stop at a detail shop that does truck rims, the place also trike's your bike, they said they would have to do my rims by hand since their machines are set up for semi rims. They gave me a price of around $250 to polish the back rims and then apply their aluma clear coat and that price depends on what my rims look like now, not sure I want to this but it would be cheaper than buying new rims for sure.

I don't mind putting in the muscle to do this by hand, so that is the question, by hand or with the mother's product to help out. I know I do not want to clear my rims by a rattle can, I know some on here that did that, I just don't feel comfortable doing that, my luck it would look like crap and then I'm screwed.

One other thing, I'm very anal on keeping a clean bike, so cleaning is no problem, my other 2 wheelers still look like they are new and one is a 1997 and the other one is a 2002.


All for now Trampas

 

[prariepilot]

Clean Rims

Just curious what everyone used to polish their rims with, what brand of product, by hand or by the mother's ball or the cone. I know what a few of you have used but I can't get it here, would have to order online. I'm talking products in the auto places or walmart, which walmart has quite a few different brands.
All for now Trampas

I use a product called "Colonel Brassy". Got it at the local H-D dealer. Made in St. Augustine FL. Website is www.vertexind.com. Then a coat of NuFinish wax (get it almost anywhere).

 

[rhino 2]

Bar Keepers Friend.. Been around since the 18 hundred's .It comes in a shake can like comet or ajax power, Most supermarkets sell it in their laundry/cleaning products section...

 

[MB1953]

I have tried Metal Gloss by Master Formula (online orders) White Diamonds (auto parts stores like Discount Auto Parts) and Bar Keepers Friend (supermarket). All do about a comparable job, but Bar Keepers Friend is the least expensive. In any case, your best friend as far as application is the Mothers Power Ball Jr. (auto parts stores like Discount Auto Parts); it makes short work of applying and buffing the wheels!

 

[Trampas]

Thanks for the replies so far, I have mothers mag and aluminum polish, thought I would try that, will have to get the mother power ball or the cone, both the same price at wally world.

As for the bar keepers friend, don't think I want to use that, would have to hose it off and then dry it. With a polish put it on and take it off, done then a coat of wax.

Just got off the phone with harley complaining about the rims on triglides and a few other models that have aluminum rims, I told them who ever is the supplier of these rims they should insist on having them clear coated, told them cars and trucks have been doing it for many years, not sure why harley can't do it, just tell the supplier to do it. Also told them on their web site they are selling rims that are 16 inch not 15 like on the trike, they have a few that are 15 inch but no 16 inch for the front, only 19 inch, I told her I want 16 inch for front, harley sure is screwing up big time in my book. They want to sell you new rims that are 16 inch then you have to buy tires to boot and you are still screwed with a front tire that don't match, go figure, they need to get better people in there that knows what is going on, instead of putting stuff that most people can't afford, ok rant off


All for now Trampas

 

[1dn5up]

Rustolium paint and primer rattlecan

 

[Fearless]

Zepher Z-40

This product I have used for years it will remove stains on Mag wheels like nothing I have found. Previous owners of Old Shiney were not careful of how and what they used to wash it with left ugly ghost stains. For years I have used Z-40 and a Mothers power ball with the long shaft. I purchase it at truck stops of America . Last place I found it was on I-70 Dallas Pike just east of Wheeling WV.ThumbUpPolish safely Fred

 

[Zammy]

Another vote for the Zephyr Pro 40 polish, I do ours by hand, not too bad except for the front wheel.
[h=1][/h]

 

[Sloufoot]

I use a couple different Mother's power ball sizes along with Flitz Polish. It will clean & polish aluminum like chrome. If you want to do a clear coat afterwards just wash down with paint thinner or alcohol & spray with Rustolium (sp) clear coat for a couple of light coats.
Or you can use a good carnuba wax. But that will have to be applied a couple times a year.

 

[Fearless]

Flitz is good stuff

You don't need to was or anything else with the Zepher that is why I use it didm't know about waxing Flitz/
thanks for the info. Fred

I use a couple different Mother's power ball sizes along with Flitz Polish. It will clean & polish aluminum like chrome. If you want to do a clear coat afterwards just wash down with paint thinner or alcohol & spray with Rustolium (sp) clear coat for a couple of light coats.
Or you can use a good carnuba wax. But that will have to be applied a couple times a year.

 

[HDB0B]

I use the same polish I have been using since 1966. Happich Simichrome polish.

I use a product called Zaino Clear Seal after polishing. http://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-CS.html

Bob

 

[Trampas]

Thanks guys for the replies, I have the mothers mag and aluminum polish for now and will try that. I seen some videos on you tube about the Zepher Z40 polish, I liked what I saw, but would have to order online to get it, can't find anyone selling it around here. The detail shop I stopped at yesterday inquiring about my rims that does semi rims and other things, wouldn't tell me what kind of polish they use, guess they wanted the business and not tell me, oh well.

I guess it boils down to most products will do the same for polishing, some are easy and some are a little harder to do, just depends how much time you want to spend on your rims.

I know I will put a good coat of wax on rims after I get them to look like I want, wish the front rim was easier to get to, with the dual disc's very hard to get in there where the axle goes thru. I might try to find that zaino clear seal around here, went to website and checked out the reviews and the FAQ.


All for now Trampas

 

[Fearless]

Poerball

Mother's powerball is great for the front wheel hub, behind the rotors. It is worth the price just for doing the front wheel wash it out after using it and it will last for years. NAPA used to sell it around here also. fearless

Thanks guys for the replies, I have the mothers mag and aluminum polish for now and will try that. I seen some videos on you tube about the Zepher Z40 polish, I liked what I saw, but would have to order online to get it, can't find anyone selling it around here. The detail shop I stopped at yesterday inquiring about my rims that does semi rims and other things, wouldn't tell me what kind of polish they use, guess they wanted the business and not tell me, oh well.

I guess it boils down to most products will do the same for polishing, some are easy and some are a little harder to do, just depends how much time you want to spend on your rims.

I know I will put a good coat of wax on rims after I get them to look like I want, wish the front rim was easier to get to, with the dual disc's very hard to get in there where the axle goes thru. I might try to find that zaino clear seal around here, went to website and checked out the reviews and the FAQ.


All for now Trampas

- - - Updated - - -

Mother's powerball is great for the front wheel hub, behind the rotors. It is worth the price just for doing the front wheel wash it out after using it and it will last for years. NAPA used to sell it around here also. fearless

Thanks guys for the replies, I have the mothers mag and aluminum polish for now and will try that.

I seen some videos on you tube about the Zepher Z40 polish, I liked what I saw, but would have to order online to get it, can't find anyone selling it around here. The detail shop I stopped at yesterday inquiring about my rims that does semi rims and other things, wouldn't tell me what kind of polish they use, guess they wanted the business and not tell me, oh well.

I guess it boils down to most products will do the same for polishing, some are easy and some are a little harder to do, just depends how much time you want to spend on your rims.

I know I will put a good coat of wax on rims after I get them to look like I want, wish the front rim was easier to get to, with the dual disc's very hard to get in there where the axle goes thru. I might try to find that zaino clear seal around here, went to website and checked out the reviews and the FAQ.


All for now Trampas

 

[Sloufoot]

You don't need to was or anything else with the Zepher that is why I use it didm't know about waxing Flitz/
thanks for the info. Fred

The Flitz polish does have a protectant in it also but I like to use a good heavy coat of carnuba. It lasts a bit better. Also when I first polished the wheels I did use a buffing wheel (sewn cotton) from Harbor Freight to get the worst stains out. But any more I just use the Powerballs.
LOL ! I bought my last large tube of Flitz 3 years ago for $26, & still have over half left. It goes a long way!
By the way Flitz also has a 7" felt polishing ball. A bit more abrasive, but still able to do a great finish. I've tried one at a fair, but haven't worn out my mothers powerball yet.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Barkeepers Friend in gel with lots of water and an old tooth brush

 

[GARYD]

I tried just about every product on the market and can't get the stains out. I even tried steel wool and sandpaper = nothing. The guy responsible for Harley selling a bike with uncoated aluminum wheels should be shot. That's completely irresponsible. I gave up and bought the H-D Anarchy chrome wheels and use the stock wheels for winter riding. I even bought a set of stock wheels that I was going to get plated but bought the Anarchy wheels instead. I have a set of new stock wheels for sale at a great price. If interested PM me.

 

[lightnin]

polishing rims

I use a product called "Quick-Glow", made in Louisiana so you know it's got to be good. Buy it from Amazon, water base and I'll never buy another container of Mothers. A little goes a long way and you don't have to rub you arms off