Cleaning really bad wheels.

[John Schmidt]

Anybody ever have their wheels blasted with walnut shells, soda, or some other medium  because their wheels were really in bad shape? I'd be willing to put out some $$ on the wheels of this project bike, they don't look like they've had a rag put to them since the day it came off the line. It would sure save me hours and hours of work. Wondering if the tires would have to come off.

[Madmike]

We had some generators done last summer with dry ice.  Clened them up great with no damage to the insulation or windings.

[Daniel Meyer]

Mine have a protective coating...

[Michvalk]

Mine have a protective coating...

That's that new 'Rat Rod powder coat' ain't it?

[John Schmidt]

Daniel, what can I say. I'm at a loss for words.    I'm actually debating about whether to powder coat. They just don't fit in the oven. 

[marbleusmike]

I think that you have to take a thin coat of the aluminum off... Because the brake dust most certainly etched into the aluminum.  I did mine by taking the wheel off and placing it on top of a garbage can so that the opposite side rotor is resting inside of the can... Wet sand going thru all of the different grits making sure to get the last grits scratches out before moving on to the next... I would start with 320 and then 400, 600, 800, 1000 and then switch to a mothers ball on a drill with mag cleaner... It's a nasty job.. But it can be done. Prepare to spend many hours to make em look good.   I even took my rotors off and removed the clearcoat and sanded the brushed effect off and brought them to a mirror finish.... I  think that I may suffer from ADD!  Lol!  But it looks great!
BTW I Clear Powder coated the Aluminum wheel.. Which took away a little of the bright shine but it's very easy to keep clean now. 
The Stainless steel rotors don't need any coating to protect.. just a yearly buff with mag cleaner.. I even buffed my nuts! (rotor) 

[BigBod]

Had mine powdercoated, just wipe with a damp cloth now when they get dirty...

[scoot]

BTW I Clear Powder coated the Aluminum wheel.. Which took away a little of the bright shine but it's very easy to keep clean now. 
The Stainless steel rotors don't need any coating to protect.. just a yearly buff with mag cleaner.. I even buffed my nuts! (rotor) 

Bad thing about Clearcoating over Alum. is if you scratch the clearcoat all the way to the surface it will begin to corrode the alum. underneath the clearcoat. Then you have to start all over. IMHO, it is better to leave the wheel au-natural, and just keep them clean and sealed with a good wax. If you are doing all the work to polish them, then I would think a little cleaning on a regular basis wouldn't be out of the question.

[art]

I think that you have to take a thin coat of the aluminum off... Because the brake dust most certainly etched into the aluminum.  I did mine by taking the wheel off and placing it on top of a garbage can so that the opposite side rotor is resting inside of the can... Wet sand going thru all of the different grits making sure to get the last grits scratches out before moving on to the next... I would start with 320 and then 400, 600, 800, 1000 and then switch to a mothers ball on a drill with mag cleaner... It's a nasty job.. But it can be done. Prepare to spend many hours to make em look good.   I even took my rotors off and removed the clearcoat and sanded the brushed effect off and brought them to a mirror finish.... I  think that I may suffer from ADD!  Lol!  But it looks great!
BTW I Clear Powder coated the Aluminum wheel.. Which took away a little of the bright shine but it's very easy to keep clean now. 
The Stainless steel rotors don't need any coating to protect.. just a yearly buff with mag cleaner.. I even buffed my nuts! (rotor) 

Buffed your nuts.WOW that must hurt.Your tough