Can't get my rims clean.

[jumpmasterdps]

I looked thru the forums for awhile, but couldn't find (maybe I need a class on the search function O_o) anything related, so I'm going to post here in the hopes that someone can help me.

I've tried everything I can think of to get the corrosion (oxidation maybe???) off the wheels on my '03 V-rod. I just bought it recently from a guy that hardly ever rode it and left it parked pretty much anywhere. I can't believe he treated it the way he did, but it's still in great shape (as far as running is concerned). However, I just can't figure out how to get the rims clean on this thing. Is the only solution out there for me to actually go and buy some new ones. It's the only thing keeping my baby from looking showroom new.

I do plan on putting more chrome on it by the way ... but unfortunately at this time I don't have the funds to buy chrome wheels for it (maybe in the future that will be an option once I get back from my next deployment). Until then, any advice on how to get my alluminum rims cleaned up would be greatly appreciated.

[D.N.F.]

Howdy and welcome aboard.

Simple green and a plastic scrubby brush work wonders. Just make sure you rinse it really well. Wax the wheels when/if you get them clean and they will deflect dirt for longer.

I have this special aluminum wheel cleaner which I use on my wife's car but am hesitant to try it on the bike. But my wheels are probably not as bad as yours.

[wreckerman]

you can try some of the spray wheel cleaners on it "keep off the paint" and always try a small spot first , then use some MOTHERS cream and a lot of hard work to polish it up

[jumpmasterdps]

Thank you very much for the quick responses. If there are any other ideas please keep me informed. For the time being, I'm gonna give it a go with I got so far. *crosses fingers and hopes like crazy*

[blkfalc4]

Get the Mother's ball kit.
Can make aluminum almost shine like chrome.

[Rhino]

Get the Mother's ball kit.
Can make aluminum almost shine like chrome.

+1 on this one...

[Heretic]

any good paint store will have aluminum buffing wheels and polishing compound. If the wheels are clear coated, you will need an abrasive wheel on a 4 1/2 grinder to remove that first.
I use the scotch bright soft pads for this. They come in a box with three different grits. They will take any clear coat, and discolorations off without removing aluminum from the wheel

I actually sanded the satin finish wheels on my corvette, and then polished them. They look like chrome now. I also hit the wheels , forks, and other polished parts on my bike with a polish wheel once or trice a year. It keeps them looking like new

[JD]

Common problem with aluminum. I always buy good quality chrome plated wheels to avoid this. Some elbow grease will work wonders here but to really get them shiny you will have to use some kind of buffing process, whether it's something easier like the Mothers ball or polishing wheels and compounds.

[squirrel71477]

Hey Jump, the guys are right about the Mother's Ball polishing kit, we used it on the aluminum fenders for the trailer and it worked great. Just remember if it is pitted you have to get down below the pits to take them out, which can be a lot of work depending on how you attack the problem. If you end up sanding them just work your way up progressively to 2000 grit and finish with some good polish and buffing. It's a process that takes a lot of patience and elbow grease. Good luck. Just for info, Neverdull works wonders for removing rust, paint, and polishing chrome, brass, or aluminum. It also leaves a good protective coating on there that will make keeping them clean a lot easier. Just don't rub hard with it cause it uses a wadding to transfer to the material.

[fatboydan]

I use MOTHERS and that little foam polishing ball thingy on a cordless drill..I put the bike on the jack,put the bike in neutral
and apply a heaping helping of mothers and let the drill spin the wheel,rinse with water and repeat...do the same for the front wheel