This Wheel Polishing is for the birds!!!

[stude31]

Man,

I must say it sure does work but boy does it take a LONG time.   I am ready for this to be over with.  I am going to finish up this rear wheel and then do the front when the tire needs to be replaced.  I took some pictures before and after on one side (yellow rag picture is me getting ready for the second side.)  I took a picture after using 220, 400, 600, 1000, 1200.   Should I go higher?   Once you get it knocked down with the 220 then the rest goes pretty easily. 

If you are planning on doing this make sure you wife is on vacation for 4 days or you plan on pissing her off that she doesn't want to see you for 4 days.  And bring lots of beverages, put them in a cooler next to your work station so you don't have to be without one for very long.   

http://s761.photobucket.com/albums/xx252/stude31/Wheel%20Polishing/

I will do the other side and post pictures after buffing it out w/ all the rouge.



NOW THE BEFORE AND AFTER:

[Oyeaa]

Awesome job.   You may want to consider spraying with a clear coat when you are done to help minimize oxidation.

[BF]

How about some info on your bike lift?  What kind is it.  I see it's on the ground, but is it sturdy enough to lift that Insterate up to full working heighth and leave it there while work is done?

[Hoser]

Stude, you need to use a mothers mini ball after the sand paper, then it really shines. (maybe you were going to do that, just didn;t see one amongst your implements of destruction). i'm doing the same thing, as I'm waiting for a rear rotor from Pinwall, Got the new tires mounted and ready to go.  Good way to spend a rainy weekend, though.  Hoser  

[Hoser]

P. S.  Wanna go to the Iowa Valkyrie ride in June 11th? Its just northeast of Omaha.  hoser

[OverdueBill]

Looking great!  Way too much work for me.  I was lucky that mine shined up with some mothers polish well enough to disappear behind the bags.  Do tell about your stand.  Brand and do you recommend it?

[stude31]

How about some info on your bike lift?  What kind is it.  I see it's on the ground, but is it sturdy enough to lift that Insterate up to full working heighth and leave it there while work is done?

I bought this from harbor freight.  I didn't get the one that just crimps the bottom of the wheel, I didn't think it would hold the "fat lady" sturdy.  So I went with this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-air-hydraulic-motorcycle-lift-94121.html

You can find a 20% off coupon in many magazines.  Motortrend, family handman, popular science... etc.   I ratchet down the front of the bike (through crash bars) to stabilize it while it is in the air.  It is air/hydrolic... your choice.  I love it, It works great for cleaning up the bike, to carb synch, and I just finished working on Engemnt's bike last weekend.  Here are a few pics.. 

Engemnt in photo... sorry took pic w/ phone.




Few more pics:




Or it can be used as a table:
 

[Warlock]

Man,

I must say it sure does work but boy does it take a LONG time.   I am ready for this to be over with.  I am going to finish up this rear wheel and then do the front when the tire needs to be replaced.  I took some pictures before and after on one side (yellow rag picture is me getting ready for the second side.)  I took a picture after using 220, 400, 600, 1000, 1200.   Should I go higher?   Once you get it knocked down with the 220 then the rest goes pretty easily. 

If you are planning on doing this make sure you wife is on vacation for 4 days or you plan on pissing her off that she doesn't want to see you for 4 days.  And bring lots of beverages, put them in a cooler next to your work station so you don't have to be without one for very long.   

http://s761.photobucket.com/albums/xx252/stude31/Wheel%20Polishing/

I will do the other side and post pictures after buffing it out w/ all the rouge.



NOW THE BEFORE AND AFTER:

You should have rednecked like I did. I removed the front fender and stripped the stuff off the wheel. Mounted the tire back on the front and put my wifes thread mill under it. Tilted the thread mill and cut her on. Got my stool, bucket of water and sandpaper. Easiest polishing I have ever done. Did the rear wheel also. It will fit on the front with the front axle and I have a car tire on it. That way you can polish sitting down, drink a cold one and never work up a sweet . You might think it's but it works great.
David

[DFragn]

Looks great. You can stop at the 1200 grit. Aluminum polish and Mothers Ball as mentioned will shine 'em nicely.
But, dedicated polishing wheels (2) and start with Dico® Tripoli Buffing Compound (531-Tc6) and finish with Dico® Buffing Compound (531-Wr1), both available at Ace Hardware then apply car wax to seal the pores. This will give it as close to chrome look as possible. And would be better if you plan on sealing them. IMHO

BTW I wet sanded by hand. My finger pads were bleeding pretty good. I thought I dragged them over an edge or something. Never will I do it by hand again.

Mothers aluminum polish and polishing ball won't cut it down to chrome like. I tried it.

[Jess from VA]

Stude, thanks for sharing.  Now that you have it down cold, how about we send you ours for sanding and polishing?  Hahahahaha!

BTW, after all that good work on the wheel, don't forget to shitcan those lousy honda 2-piece valve stems and go with a solid metal 90* stem. 

[sugerbear]

if you go with the mothers powerball, i used the mini with extension and mothers mag/aluminum polish.

still need to go deeper (i didn't sand, just polished) and used a corded drill ( not battery) buff until black, wipe off, repeat, repeat, repeat,

was looking at the harbor freight and you made up my mind on which one.

will buy one this fall or winter.

thanks.