protecting wheels

[EV11Jack]

Hi, I have a '98 EV11. The previous owner(s) took very good care of it. I just finished using Mothers aluminum and mag on the font wheel. It's 90+ here and for the next few days and it took me over four hours. However, I am very pleased on how it cleaned up (just dreading doing the rear wheel as it's dirtier than the front ).
What does everyone use to "protect" the wheel from road grime etc. so that this isn't something that I have to do on a monthly basis?
Thanks for your help!
cheers,
Jack

[LowRyter]

 

[jumpmaster]

Not sure you have the same type wheels that I do, but on my stock aluminum rim/metal spoked wheels on my Mille GT the first thorough cleaning after I bought it took me a an hour or 2 on each wheel.  However, since then as long as I wipe them down with a clean cloth weekly (about 15 minutes for both wheels) and/or after they've gotten wet/dirty from a rainy day ride, and do a light polishing monthly or two (maybe an hour for both wheels) they have stayed very nice for the past 4 years.  I've tried paste wax on them after a good metal polishing, but didn't really notice much difference on how well/long they stayed clean.  I know one guy who uses Windex to clean his hotrod aluminum wheels before a show but have never tried that myself for either cleaning or final touch-ups.  The trick seems to be to not let water spots or grime "set" on the rims for any length of time - if you have a good base polish, only a very little polishing compound and very little time is needed to keep the shine looking almost chrome-like (only richer and deeper than chrome, in my opinion).

Despite the current fashion to praise & value "patina" and dirt over clean and shiny, I think keeping the wheels, as well as the rest of the bike for that matter, clean and dirt/grease-free is a smart approach to riding regularly and safely.  Every time I polish my rims, I'm also almost unconsciously checking the condition and tightness of the spokes as well as the sidewalls and treads of the tires, free play in the final drive, etc., etc.  (The above-statement is a preemptive strike against those who will post a question asking why you would even want to clean or polish your wheels  )

[Sheepdog]

I wipe down my wheels with ACF50 after cleaning them. It keeps rust at bay and makes the next cleanup a little easier. Spoked wheels can be a chore...

[Rusnak_322]

This stuff -
http://wizardsproducts.com/power-seal-8-oz/

My wife had a Honda RS125GP race bike with a polished frame. There wasn't a airbox, so the carb would spit out gas/oil mix that would coat the bike. this stuff made it easy to clean that off and kept the glossy polished look.

I also used it on my old CB360 cafe racer.

Their metal polish is also awesome, plus it smells like candy - http://wizardsproducts.com/metal-polishing/

[John A]

It's good to keep wheels clean, I've had to scrap some due to corrosion. A front steel one for rusted bead seat under the bead toe, that's not what you get to with the tire on but I had to scrap a rear for corroded spoke holes which may not have happened if I had kept them cleaner. Road dirt seems to be especially corrosive, around here they salt heavily half the year.

[EV11Jack]

I wipe down my wheels with ACF50 after cleaning them. It keeps rust at bay and makes the next cleanup a little easier. Spoked wheels can be a chore...

Hi Sheepdog,
I'm not familiar with ADF50, but I just looked it up. I'm ordering some this afternoon.
thanx,
Jack

[EV11Jack]

This stuff -
http://wizardsproducts.com/power-seal-8-oz/

My wife had a Honda RS125GP race bike with a polished frame. There wasn't a airbox, so the carb would spit out gas/oil mix that would coat the bike. this stuff made it easy to clean that off and kept the glossy polished look.

I also used it on my old CB360 cafe racer.

Their metal polish is also awesome, plus it smells like candy - http://wizardsproducts.com/metal-polishing/

Hi Rusnak_322,
Thanks for the two recommendations. I'm ordering them this afternoon, along with ADF50 that was also recommended by a member. I'm originally from Pittsburgh and actually lived in Cleveland for about a year, so I"m familiar with what they do to the roads there and how it effects vehicles.
Being a Steelers fan, I have an interest in watching the Browns and it actually looks like your team is finally getting their s*** together. Hopefully you'll see a major improvement with some of the new players recently brought it.
Thanks again for the guidance for the wheel protectors. I was not looking forward to spending four hours on each wheel every couple of weeks!
cheers,
Jack

[EV11Jack]

Not sure you have the same type wheels that I do, but on my stock aluminum rim/metal spoked wheels on my Mille GT the first thorough cleaning after I bought it took me a an hour or 2 on each wheel.  However, since then as long as I wipe them down with a clean cloth weekly (about 15 minutes for both wheels) and/or after they've gotten wet/dirty from a rainy day ride, and do a light polishing monthly or two (maybe an hour for both wheels) they have stayed very nice for the past 4 years.  I've tried paste wax on them after a good metal polishing, but didn't really notice much difference on how well/long they stayed clean.  I know one guy who uses Windex to clean his hotrod aluminum wheels before a show but have never tried that myself for either cleaning or final touch-ups.  The trick seems to be to not let water spots or grime "set" on the rims for any length of time - if you have a good base polish, only a very little polishing compound and very little time is needed to keep the shine looking almost chrome-like (only richer and deeper than chrome, in my opinion).

Despite the current fashion to praise & value "patina" and dirt over clean and shiny, I think keeping the wheels, as well as the rest of the bike for that matter, clean and dirt/grease-free is a smart approach to riding regularly and safely.  Every time I polish my rims, I'm also almost unconsciously checking the condition and tightness of the spokes as well as the sidewalls and treads of the tires, free play in the final drive, etc., etc.  (The above-statement is a preemptive strike against those who will post a question asking why you would even want to clean or polish your wheels  )

Hi jumpmaster, I agree, I am not a fan of patina either. Why do you think that they paint the insides of engine rooms on boats white? So that they can see any small issues before they become LARGE issues.
I'll follow-up with your suggestions too.
cheers,
Jack

[jumpmaster]

Hi jumpmaster, I agree, I am not a fan of patina either. Why do you think that they paint the insides of engine rooms on boats white? So that they can see any small issues before they become LARGE issues.
I'll follow-up with your suggestions too.
cheers,
Jack

   Although I confess that I'm not as good at the follow-up once I identify a problem as I should be - cleaning is easier than fixing!