Cleaning wheels/rims

leadthrower21 · 05-31-2012, 04:02 PM

I've met my match with cleaning, I have no idea what to do with this set of wheels. The previous owner said this was just soap scum, but it seems to be far more than that.

These are a set of Excel rims on a DRZ400SM, which (according to Excel) are anodized aluminum. I've tried clear coat polish and even aluminum polish by hand with little to no improvement. My next step is wet sanding these things down, any suggestions?

AustinJake · 06-01-2012, 02:01 PM

If you wanna risk it, acid etching EagleOne wheel cleaner, I wouldn't leave it on too long, I'd wipe it on and rinse off quick like, 1/4 wheel at a time.

http://eagleone.com/mag-wheel-cleaner

GH41 · 06-01-2012, 02:50 PM

Looks to me like the previous (DUMB ASS) owner used a caustic cleaner on the wheels! I'll bet the only way to fix it is to replace the rims if it bothers you. Sorry I have to be the messenger! GH

Yossarian™ · 06-01-2012, 02:51 PM

Mother's metal polish?

Risk a small test patch with a green scotch brite pad?

fritzcoinc · 06-01-2012, 03:30 PM

My new secret I will share with you noobs.

Before:

During:

And after:

MrBob · 06-01-2012, 05:53 PM

Just for the hell of it, try a little vinegar in case what you're seeing is a lime type scale. At least initially, don't leave it on for very long.

poppy · 06-01-2012, 06:00 PM

I like this stuff, works a treat. Cotton wading, i spent plenty of time cleaning my black rims and spokes on my 950, never harmed them and cleaned them up lickety split. Mind you, my wheels never looked like yours.

rideslikeoldman · 06-01-2012, 06:26 PM

Looks like a caustic cleaner left on too long or maybe dried in the sun. I would recommend using 3M finesse it which is a rubbing compound or another type of mild rubbing compound for automotive type paints.

Truckin_Thumper · 06-03-2012, 09:42 AM

polished rims on a dirt bike?

Are you riding it or entering it in a beauty show?

p0diabl0 · 06-03-2012, 06:28 PM

Supermoto wheels may not see dirt that often/ever.

vintagerider · 06-03-2012, 06:49 PM

alkaline generic wheel cleaner + sun = instant anodized destruction

leadthrower21 · 06-03-2012, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I will try a few out soon and let you know how it goes. I really don't want to re-anodize these.

fritzcoinc · 06-04-2012, 07:54 AM

Try an SOS pad as well.

05-31-2012, 04:02 PM	#1
leadthrower21 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Oddometer: 40	Cleaning wheels/rims I've met my match with cleaning, I have no idea what to do with this set of wheels. The previous owner said this was just soap scum, but it seems to be far more than that. These are a set of Excel rims on a DRZ400SM, which (according to Excel) are anodized aluminum. I've tried clear coat polish and even aluminum polish by hand with little to no improvement. My next step is wet sanding these things down, any suggestions?

06-01-2012, 02:01 PM	#2
AustinJake TE450-KLE-FXDWG Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 2,794	If you wanna risk it, acid etching EagleOne wheel cleaner, I wouldn't leave it on too long, I'd wipe it on and rinse off quick like, 1/4 wheel at a time. http://eagleone.com/mag-wheel-cleaner __________________ ____________________________________ Get fit. Stay safe. Enjoy life. Learn something to help someone in need. AustinJake screwed with this post 06-01-2012 at 02:31 PM

06-01-2012, 02:51 PM	#4
Yossarian™ Deputy Cultural Attaché Joined: Jul 2007 Location: the 'Ha Oddometer: 8,209	Mother's metal polish? Risk a small test patch with a green scotch brite pad? __________________ Successfully surviving motorcycling since 1976.

06-01-2012, 03:30 PM	#5
fritzcoinc Enjoying my last V8 Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Cypress, Tx Oddometer: 5,414	My new secret I will share with you noobs. Before: During: And after: __________________ Regards Fritzcoinc 96 XR650L, 96 Guzzi Sport, 07 BMW K1200GT, 86 Husky 400 XCE, 03 Harley Road King Police, 00 Husky Te 610 e, 1999 Husky TC610 SM, Google: TX7 fritzcoinc screwed with this post 06-01-2012 at 03:38 PM

06-01-2012, 05:53 PM	#6
MrBob Careening forward Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Fe, N.M. Oddometer: 5,737	Just for the hell of it, try a little vinegar in case what you're seeing is a lime type scale. At least initially, don't leave it on for very long. __________________ 2003 KLX 400R dual sport

06-01-2012, 02:50 PM	#3
GH41 Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Oddometer: 644	Looks to me like the previous (DUMB ASS) owner used a caustic cleaner on the wheels! I'll bet the only way to fix it is to replace the rims if it bothers you. Sorry I have to be the messenger! GH

06-01-2012, 06:00 PM	#7
poppy Slow and Steady Joined: Mar 2006 Location: G.C QLD Oddometer: 1,820	I like this stuff, works a treat. Cotton wading, i spent plenty of time cleaning my black rims and spokes on my 950, never harmed them and cleaned them up lickety split. Mind you, my wheels never looked like yours. poppy screwed with this post 06-01-2012 at 06:49 PM

06-01-2012, 06:26 PM	#8
rideslikeoldman Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Oddometer: 50	Looks like a caustic cleaner left on too long or maybe dried in the sun. I would recommend using 3M finesse it which is a rubbing compound or another type of mild rubbing compound for automotive type paints.

06-03-2012, 09:42 AM	#9
Truckin_Thumper low profile Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Houston,TX Oddometer: 26,713	polished rims on a dirt bike? Are you riding it or entering it in a beauty show?

06-03-2012, 06:28 PM	#10
p0diabl0 b00b Joined: Feb 2011 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 384	Supermoto wheels may not see dirt that often/ever.

06-03-2012, 06:49 PM	#11
vintagerider Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: the west Oddometer: 1,744	alkaline generic wheel cleaner + sun = instant anodized destruction vintagerider screwed with this post 06-24-2012 at 02:58 PM Reason: refer to dealer for service

06-03-2012, 09:22 PM	#12
leadthrower21 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Oddometer: 40	Thanks for the suggestions guys! I will try a few out soon and let you know how it goes. I really don't want to re-anodize these.

06-04-2012, 07:54 AM	#13
fritzcoinc Enjoying my last V8 Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Cypress, Tx Oddometer: 5,414	Try an SOS pad as well. __________________ Regards Fritzcoinc 96 XR650L, 96 Guzzi Sport, 07 BMW K1200GT, 86 Husky 400 XCE, 03 Harley Road King Police, 00 Husky Te 610 e, 1999 Husky TC610 SM, Google: TX7

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