Borrani wheel finish

[mrrick]

Just had the brake shoes arced for this wheel, and now I'm definitely Not gonna pull it apart, 'cause I know the drum is true (enough).
I don't need or want a full -blown polish (I'm looking for the "vintage with patina" look but Clean!).
It's virtually impossible to get around all the spokes & nooks & crannies with scotchbrite, and believe me, I've tried.
I was headed to the local Stripping Company, but he says he hasn't done soda blasting more than once in 20 years, suggested plastic media.
Anyone had any experience with this?

[Tom H]

I have used some abrasive buffing wheels to clean them up. They fit in a dremel style tool. They do not polish, use need to use a buffing wheel and polish for that.

I have not used these, but they are what I'm mentioning:
https://www.amazon.com/Rocaris-Abrasive-Buffing-Polishing-Dremel/dp/B075C72PGK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1COJMXR6XB5U3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LdcBIPcbMwtZ_ItB2bh3VmheNYyBn4zijxYCkV4q6SYrTbcBo3-F8aCtAvUye_O82lxmXmtnWNEci4eBVYH4IP5bF6xV7QusHn6moMkR_R0ZQ4df8WiNkTtEZdHcE3sXCMvduXExfIHKJKM1MNwWFMVOxNjpccrJ_K8UHqunP7bdUn8XXeWb0iBIUPHKWRM-Z5RdLCtAOjFYxIP35FZGxckg865V-vSTof9iWceO_EYJrPDnX_RG8Q2g67ro-zNNjP1UCGj9Vjw1TRWxmP9Xpu8KofdVQ4_okCNJWigJAiM.gyljj_PHIZ-STHdLXXZmnqtRk3717n0M9Dpfk04I-B4&dib_tag=se&keywords=abrasive+buff&qid=1711066953&sprefix=abrasive+buff%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

Tom

[cliffrod]

To polish, use 3M 1500 and/or 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and kerosene as lubricant.  Use new paper to cut and used paper to finish.   Follow up with polish (not abrasive with grit you can feel) of your choice.  They’ll polish up nicely and polish will last as long as realistically possible.

[n3303j]

Did it once with SOS and a lot of rubbing. (When I didnt kniw any better) Finished off with a 3 inch arbor mounted cloth wheel on a fast electric drill loaded with buffing compound. Found out the spoke nipples were brass as all the plating buffed off. Looked really nice for about 6 months. Those troughs hold any liquid that gets in them no matter how fast you go. I'd rather ride than polish so the rims get washed and scrubbed with SOS every second tire change. They look sort of like your photos.

Currently in the process of replacing both wheels with Lester rims. Then I'll only have 7 spokes to clean around (every 2nd tire change).

[Scout63]

I would find a good local vapor blaster.  The finish is very nice and no need to disassemble. 

[slopokes]

Gave my son a can of never-Dull and $100–three hours later they looked new(T3)…

[mrrick]

Thanks to all you guys who replied.
I was headed to the local blaster until I spoke with a mechanic pal, who told me that he (the blaster) had ruined the last part he left there.
I may still go to see him and discuss, but have ordered some of those Dremel Scotchbrite buffers in the meantime.     
It seems that you can get the buffers in 6 different "grit equivalents", so I'm gonna see what the 150, 240, and 300 combo will do. 12 bucks for 12 pcs.
I think the 150 (green) will be too aggressive, but we'll see.

[Dave Swanson]

It's much easier to work around the nooks and crannies with the wheels disassembled.  It is really quite easy to assemble and true the wheel after.

My 74 Eldo police rims were in worse shape than yours.  I used the 1500, then 2000 grit wetted with WD40 and followed by your favorite aluminum polish.  The fingers took a beating, but this was the result.

They retain plenty of patina, but look good. 

[Tom H]

If you want it more mirror like, don't forget the non abrasive buffs to be used with polishing compounds when your done with the abrasives. Or just put the compound on a rag or the like and go to it.

Tom

[Dave Swanson]

This is the T3 California before and after.

[Scout63]

This is the T3 California before and after.

Gorgeous wheels. What’s not to like about straight-pull spoke hubs.  Almost impossible to screw up. Almost.

[mrrick]

Thanks again, everyone.
Can you advise about the wrench needed for the spokes?  I have a nice Rowe wrench that  I used for the Commando, but none of those sizes fits properly. Prob not metric?
It has numbers 1-6. #2 is loose, and #3 is too small.

[mrrick]

And BTW, those Scotchbrite buffers are too small to reach into the required areas with the Dremel; no luck there...

[Dave Swanson]

Thanks again, everyone.
Can you advise about the wrench needed for the spokes?  I have a nice Rowe wrench that  I used for the Commando, but none of those sizes fits properly. Prob not metric?
It has numbers 1-6. #2 is loose, and #3 is too small.

I finally bought a good set of spoke wrenches.  The are so nice to use I can't believe I cheesed out so long.   The nipples will take a 6.0 or #2.  It does seem too loose but that is the correct size.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/motion-pro-ergo-spoke-wrenches?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtqmwBhBVEiwAL-WAYWDkSmEmitgzN9nZdmvsun67RkUwt9FC3LmomvIW2UPF2KGO6JzCqhoCc4MQAvD_BwE&sku_id=913431

[mrrick]

Thank you, Dave!