[Redfox]

I have 1500 km on my new 08 wing and my wheels seem to be starting to discolor already. By that, I mean there are white streaks through them that I cannot get off. I bought "Bluemagic" metal polish cream and spent an hour cleaning them and although they did clean a lot of the road dirt off them, they still have these annoying streaks through them. Is this natural or is there something else I can do?

 

[ronzilla]

... Howdy ... Mine Are Doing The Same ... A Friend Owns A Auto Detail Shop And He Told Me He Has Some Stuff To Clean Them ... Will Let You Know When I Find Out What It Is ... Alot Of These Cleaners Are Caustic And That Is What Starts This On Alum. Rims And Wheels ... I Will Probably Mask Off And Clear Coat Exposed Metal Once Cleaned ... Happy Trails ...

 

[Red Ron]

I also have an '08 and mine does the same thing. I bought some Turtle Wax wheel cleaner that has some sort of acid in it that does a good job. But there are other's that do a much better job that you won't find at WallyWorld. I have been cleaning mine once a month applying wax and forgetting about it. The rear wheel is the worst because of the brake dust. It is very damaging. After every 2 to 3 rides I try to rub it off best I can. Some have their wheels powder coated or chromed which eliminates the problem.

 

[Redfox]

Thanks ronzilla and red ron. My wheels on the back are the worst also but they are not as noticable as the front. I think I will take my to a detail shop and see what they say.

 

[ronzilla]

... HOWDY ... G.I. I HAVE GOT THE STAINS AND DULL LUSTER REMOVED ... I DID A LIGHT SANDING W/400 GRIT WET/DRY PAPER USING WATER ... LET DRY AND THEN SOME METAL POLISH AND ELBOW GREASE (more fingers than elbow) ... I NOW HAVE A FINISH THAT I'M HAPPY WITH ... MASKED OFF THE RIMS AND COUPLE COATS OF CLEAR AND I'M GOOD TO GO ... THESE WHEEL AND BRAKE DUST CLEANERS DO A GOOD JOB JUST KEEP THEM OFF ALUM. AND OTHER EYE CANDY SURFACES ... HAPPY TRAILS ...

 

[joe in calif]

I use Mothers mag wheel polish on mine and then a coat of wax and no problem at all, I wash the bike top to bottom after every ride, so that helps.
Here are the wheels from my 02

Here are the ones from my 08, I don't have any close ups yet

 

[whacker]

Has anyone else seen or tried the polish from Phaze One? I saw the product used on an 1800 that had been neglected so bad the aluminum was black. They polished them to a shine in less than 30 minutes! I was sold, my 2000SE front wheel shine like a mirror! Here is the web address www.phazeonepolish.com

 

[ronzilla]

... Howdy ... Thanks For The Link ... Happy Trails ...

 

[Chopin]

My used 08 had 10,000 miles on it when purchased. I thought the back wheel inner rim was black powder coated at first sight. The owner spent time on the top side but he never got down on his knees. The Devil's in the details. This topic is priority on my list now that the riding has dropped off.

 

[bobby2407]

wheel cleaner

i used meguirs metal polish & it works great

 

[Two Wheel Wing]

Because the wheels are aluminum you need to be careful as to what type of cleaner/wax you use on them. Make sure the cleaner or wax you use states use on aluminum wheels. A number of guys have had their wheels powder coated and some have had them chromed, but that gets to be very expensive.

 

[Chopin]

Good topic. I'm not sure it was ever resolved difinitively for me either. If it's a matter of elbow grease and aluminum polish, I'll keep working on it.

 

[MotownWing]

Anybody ever use or hear about Apex Wipe Off Wheel and Tire Cleaner by Chemical Guys? Trying to get something that works but safe around the other metals and rubber for my '05. Sounds good from the reviews, but understand reviews and where they can come from.
Thanks,