[gfd205]

I having a hell of a time getting my wheels clean. Everytime i wash the bike they get worse and worse. Is there something special i should use on them to get them clean? any help would be cool because i have a clean new bike with crappy old looking wheels.

PS the bike is only like 2 or 3 months old

thanks everyone

 

[dirtdobber]

There are several products that can help. I use mothers billet polish. When I clean my bike I use the mothers on the wheels. I did polish them with a buffer so they would be easier to keep clean. Once you get them to shine it is not bad keeping them that way as long as you do it regularly. Mothers billet can be gotten at wal-mart etc...

 

[gfd205]

How are you able to get a buffer in there???

 

[dblshockpower]

I knew I should have bought the S...spokes look good dirty..these neo R rims are going to be a major PIA too.

 

[DAR]

The only way I know to clean the rims is with a good metal polish/cleaner and lots of elbow grease. It's a pain in the a--. After you get them clean try putting some honda spray cleaner or wax on the rims. This should help between cleanings.

 

[gfd205]

Ok, i have got one side of the front wheel done and it looks pretty good but not good enough for me. I started on the rear and i cannot for the life of me seem to get it looking like the front.... Its got like corrosion or staining on it for some reason? What is the wheel made out of? I thought it was aluminum...

 

[Grant]

These work really good on aluminum wheels.
No, we don't sell them.​

 

[Retro Rich]

I've used the mothers before and it works well. I normally wash mine and use an "all wheel" spray cleaner (normal automotive pump spray kind, like Armor All brand, etc.) with a scrub brush. Then, I follow-up with a Blue Coral liquid metal polish (has some ammonia in it, and also has a light sealant in it as well) and a lot of elbow grease. Does the trick, but does take some time. Once you get them good and clean, shouldn't be too bad on keeping them clean.

You won't get a buffer in there, unless it's something on the end of a dremel tool or something like that. Only and best way to use a buffer on most bike wheels due to clearances, etc. is to take the wheels off.

 

[coley]

I was told after a good cleaning and polishing to use "RejeX" on them. It's a Soil barrier/ anti stain protection. After applying you have to let it cure out of the elements for 12 hours.

I haven't used it yet, but I bought a bottle to try it out. The recommendation came from a very good source and I trust his opinion. You can read more about it here....

http://www.corrosionx.com/rejexmain.html

 

[dirtdobber]

I polished my wheels off the bike with a buffer, I polish anything aluminum for extra cash, it's a paying hobby. You only have to do it once as long as you keep them clean, I go over mine about every few weeks. It takes about 45 min. to keep them like chrome. I have polished most of the parts on my 1800. Froks-upper and lower, rotors, brake /clutch resoviors/ levers, risers, speedo housing, wheels etc... I get my compounds/polishing wheels from lowes hardware. I have used many types available on the net but Lowes is one of the best. The mothers power ball is very good and cuts a lot of the work out to keep them looking good.

 

[gfd205]

I actually bought one of the powerballs and the mothers billet polish along with some eagle-1 nano polish... All of the products work great. The only problem I have now is that the dealer must have used something on the wheels that made them get "burn marks" in them. I contacted a company that sells a product called Metalwax and they said it is due to certsain products used on anodized aluminum wheels that penetrates or finds tiny holes in the coating. And it makes what they call "burn" marks and there product is supposed to counteract that reaction.

 

[Grant]

I actually bought one of the powerballs and the mothers billet polish along with some eagle-1 nano polish... All of the products work great. The only problem I have now is that the dealer must have used something on the wheels that made them get "burn marks" in them. I contacted a company that sells a product called Metalwax and they said it is due to certsain products used on anodized aluminum wheels that penetrates or finds tiny holes in the coating. And it makes what they call "burn" marks and there product is supposed to counteract that reaction.

I'm pretty sure what you're seeing is the clear coat (paint) on the wheels where it got hot from power buffing them and created the black spots. The wheels are not anodized, just clear coated to prevent them from oxidizing. Anodizing is not a polished, shiny finish. If the stock wheels are not cleaned regularly, accumulated dirt and acids cut through the clear coat leaving bare, unprotected aluminum. This allows the wheels to oxidize more rapidly but it will also allow you to buff them to a much higher luster. Until the clear coat is removed, all you can do is clean and polish the clear coat. You can tell when the clear coat has been removed when you see a lot of black residue developing from the polishing process. That's what you want to see to obtain a true polished aluminum finish. Removing the clear coat is actually the hardest part. After that, polishing the bare aluminum wheel is pretty straight forward.

 

[coley]

Hey Xhoppers...I'm not trying to be an A** here. what happened in the other thread is over...at least in my mind, but from what I've read and seen in person, our 1300 wheels aren't clear coated. It might be different for other models, but not the 1300C. If anyone has clear coated rims...please speak up. If they were, people wouldn't be have a tough time cleaning them, but clearcoat tends to turn yellow after time. So what's better? I don't know.

From what I've seen in person...The rims I bought used weren't clear coated. One was off an '05, the other an '04. When I cleaned them with Nevr-Dull and the Mothers Powerball and polish, the "juice" turned black which is common with removal of oxidation and/or tarnish.


What I've heard....Oxidation, marks from road salt, water markes, stains from brake dust. All of which tells me they're not clear coated.

 

[dirtdobber]

Some of the wheels appear to have a coating on them but they do not. I polished a lot wheels and have found some to be very difficult to get the chrome like finish. I have not yet seen a coating on a vtx wheel 1800 or 1300. However, I did do a set with black and and other spots that were caused from lack of cleaning. The black spots,sometimes, are cause by the brakes that were not cleaned properly. Chemicals that got mixed with other chemicals can be a pain. In other words brake pad dust + road chemicals left uncleaned for a period of time can take some work. I use a sesial wheel(cotton+fiber) and the gray compound to remove these spots, least amount of work. Many are concerned to remove the wheels but it only takes about 15 min. to get the wheel off the bike and is much easier to do. The good part is when you buff/polish with compounds and wheels it is a one time thing and the wheels is much easier to keep looking great.

 

[xxLiferxx]

I was posed with the same problem we all are......dirty rims. I had a bottle of denatured alcohol in the garage. I tested it in an inconspicuous SMALL spot to see if any discoloring might take place and it didn't. It took all break dust, dirt and grim off with one wipe and the rims looked like new. Good Luck and ride safe.

 

[ride]

MY 1300C WHEELS ARE NOT coated , I polish and polish some more just like a woman --its a lot of work an a lot of love an it'll shine

 

[Grant]

I find simple green works well to remove dirt and grime from all areas. I just spray it on and hose it off. I use Mothers aluminum polish on my R.C. wheels.

 

[DillDawg]

Hey Xhoppers...I'm not trying to be an A** here. what happened in the other thread is over...at least in my mind, but from what I've read and seen in person, our 1300 wheels aren't clear coated. It might be different for other models, but not the 1300C. If anyone has clear coated rims...please speak up.

Yes - I agree - I don't know of any VTX rims - 13, 18, C,R, that are clearcoated. Maybe it's another one of those X-Chopper California things...where the 06's are lean, Amsoil isn't fit to be used in lawnmowers, and properly jetted bikes lose mileage. :hmm2:

gfd205 - A good aluminum polish and a lot of work will get them looking good. Then just keep them up. Easier if you have a lift - or if the wheels are off the bike (like at tire change time)
If you really want it easy, have them chromed.

 

[Retro Rich]

I've always had good results with Blue Coral's Blue Magic Metal Polish. Ammonia based liquid polish. You've got to use a lot of elbow grease, but once you get them looking good they aren't hard to keep up.

I agree with Dillon; once I've got the $$ I'm chroming mine. Much easier to keep clean!

 

[dirtdobber]

Thats what I like about the mothers mini powerball it does all the work. I have be using the large powerball, went got the mini it took all of 15 min. to do my front wheel on the bike. you can use your favorite polish with it.