Coating Aluminum Wheels

[smsw]

I've read quite a few posts on polishing and restoring Borrani wheels, but nothing about what one does after the wheel is polished.  Should they be sprayed with a clear lacquer or other clear finish?  I'm afraid that doing so will make the aluminum harder to maintain.  As the finish degrades from UV exposure and road dirt, will it not look worse than normally oxidized/dirty wheels?

[dirtiegirtie]

I can't help, only interested in responses. I looked into clear coating aluminum about 10 years back. I could never get a clear (no pun intended) answer on how OEM's do it. Most of the sprays had just as many bad reviews as good. Back then, from what I found, the best DIY option was to keep them polished and waxed, or get them clear powdercoated.

Looking forward to see what folks are doing these days.

[bigbikerrick]

I polish my Borranis with Wenol metal polish. It leaves behind a coating that helps prevent oxidation, and lasts about 6 months. Twice a year, a clean up,and polish on the wheels keeps them looking nice and bright. At the same time I do the valve covers, and hub covers. I dont think you want to clear coat those, it would eventually be a real mess to clean up, down the road.
Rick.

[moto-uno]

  Some thing else to consider , highly polished surfaces are rather poor for paint adhesion . Hand polishing
 and if you have the patience after that a good metal wax is usually a satisfactory improvement . Peter

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've read about using Mop & Glo floor wax to protect polished alloy, but have never tried it myself.

[Redrider]

Nev-r-dull after the wash and dry.

[Rich A]

Alumaguard--it's made to protect aluminum and other metals in marine applications. Simple spray on, wipe off.

Rich A

[Scout63]

I’m not a fan of polishing aluminum unless it came that way, like Norton primary and timing covers, fork legs etc.  On duller aluminum like airhead engines a green scotchbrite pad works well. For Borranis and Moto Guzzi crankcase, gearbox, cylinders and heads vapor honing gives a great finish.  I like ACF-50 wiped on a couple of times a year.

[larrys]

Mothers aluminum polish for wheels, valve covers, and other polished aluminum parts. Works well on chrome, too.
Larry

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I'm with Scout on the ACF-50

But the only bike I polish doesnt get ridden in the rain or any inclement weather really...  But it seems to work well.

[Dirk_S]

This is a good (and relevant to me) question!

I just cleaned and machine-polished a set of used V7 (small block) bare alloy wheels with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. I was wondering how I should go about protecting them, or if I even want to at all, and instead just stick with cleaning them up occasionally with Nevr Dull (my V7 fits my 'clean only as needed' mantra). I don't like the idea of a thick clear coat on bare aluminum, especially to areas that will get obliterated by gravel and salt.

I have Fluid Film, but that stuff is too thick. Maybe one just does a wipe-down with WD-40 occasionally?

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

U could always wax 'em too Dirk

[Dirk_S]

U could always wax 'em too Dirk

I waxed my eyebrows once.

That was the last time I ever waxed anything in my life.

[Turin]

I'm with Larrys. Mothers and some buffing pads on a drill.

[jbell]

Once polished, the time required to spruce them up a bit is very little.  For me, it is satisfying time well spent and yes, I'm an inveterate aluminum polisher.