| Author | Message | ||
     The_new_guy |
Hello Everyone, I now have chipped wheels on my XB. I want to strip them and polish them but is seems like that may be a pain. I have also thought about powder coating them black. If I send my wheels away to a good powder coater, will the finish be much more durable than the factory amber wheels? Does anyone have any new experience in stripping/polishing wheels? Thats the route that I want to take but not if it's too much of a pain. I'd almost rather spend the cash rather than do the work if it's that tough. Thanks, Gregg | ||
| Diablobrian |
Some of the more mechanically durable powder coat finishes are not as UV stable, so most of the time it can be a trade-off to get the best balance you can for a motorcycle wheel. Polishing your wheels looks very good, but it's also high maintenance. I'd rather ride than spend my weekend polishing my wheels. Just the edges of my silver wheels came polished, and that's more than enough polishing to suit me. It's up to you, I'd recommend you talk to one of your local powder coat shops about it they can be of more help about the specifics of what you want. | ||
| The_new_guy |
Thanks Brian, I don't feel like polishing wheels all the time either. I was thinking of just keeping them clean and maybe pulling the wheels off and polishing them at the beginning and end of riding season and once in the middle. Do you think that would be enough to keep the corrosion away? I'm not looking for a mirror finish at all times. Thanks for the info, Gregg | ||
| Diablobrian |
It depends on so many variables that I can't say. Some brake dust is corrosive, salt air, and vehicle exhaust (city riding)can cause increased corrosion too. Some polishes, like flitz, form a protective coating that can last a while, but how long it lasts depends on those same factors and on UV breakdown of the coating as well. The Eastwood company sells a product called "Diamond Clear" or something like that, that is designed as a clear coat to be used on polished finishes. Most clear coats will turn cloudy because of UV reflection on a polished surface, but they claim that this one won't. I've never used it, but they have a good reputation, and a lot of hot rodders use their products, even on some seriously high dollar customs. | ||
| The_new_guy |
Thanks again Diablo. Once again you've been very helpful> If it weren't for you badwebbers, I really don't know where I'd be! Gregg | ||
| Sath |
Looked at a bike at Wilksboro, an XB12R that had chrome wheels, could do that. Dave | ||
| Turtlenek |
I had my XB wheels powedercoated. The guy who owns the powedercoating company is a friend of mine and let me see what an unbelievable bitch it is to strip the factory powdercoating off those wheels. I worked on them myself for three days. I'm thrilled with how they look and the finish is a lot stronger than paint. Highly recommended is you can get a firm price UPFRONT from the powdercoaters. It's a lot more labor intensive than most wheels. As far as polishing, I polished my last three bikes wheels and maintenance was no more than a 15 minute polish once every couple of months or so. If you use that mini powerball, you can cut that down to five minutes. No big deal at all and they looked great. You'll be happy either way. |
