| Author | Message | ||
     Preybird1 |
Has anyone done this? Do you have any pics? Does anyone know if the finish has a clear coat on it? I have brand new one i just got today and it has new wheel bearings already installed. So i was thinking about getting the old wheel re-polished and re-furbished. And installing this extra set of wheel bearings i have here into it and possibly using it for track days. Or sell it to recoup the money spent on the new one! Track days are sounding better and better now that i have a good bike for it. Thanks for any input guys and gals! | ||
| Rick_a |
The ones on my '96 were clear coated. They eventually yellowed, so I stripped them and polished them. It's been a nightmare ever since. Keeping a good wax on them and cleaning them regularly are a must after polishing. I re-did them recently and spent 7 hours hand polishing (they went neglected for two years). In this pic they've already been underwater a couple times.  Good luck, and power tools are your friend. If you do 'em by hand, I started with NeverDull to brush off the patina and finished with Mother's mag polish. | ||
| Kalali |
I think the Mother's Power Ball and aluminum polish are the best tools for polishing the wheels, specially if you have to do them while on the bike. | ||
| Hootowl |
I have PMs on my 99, they are not coated. PM says that you should use Mother's. I believe (I could be mis-remembering) that my owner's manual states the same. | ||
| 5liter |
I use Mothers on my Polish Me wheels. | ||
| Preybird1 |
I think i am going to have it done professionally, To get it as close to new looking as i can. Damn my dad just retired...He was an electroplater and could do fantastic things to all kinds of metals. He would have done it for free  I remember once i had him nickel plate my big old Mexican machete, That looked so awesome in the sun! I always like the anodizing colors he could do. Lime green was an awesome color. | ||
| Phelan |
It's actually really easy, especially if the wheels are off the bike. I would usually spend about an hour per side per wheel cleaning and polishing the PM wheels. I used hand pumice to get the brake dust and grime off and mothers to polish it up. | ||
| Preybird1 |
What about a clear coat applied after refinishing. I have seen it but does it last? I have also seen a clear powder coated wheel but was told it doesn't last and looks terrible when it starts to wear. I am just trying to find the best maintenance free finish. I am sure you guys are aware these wheels are a bastard to keep clean. | ||
| Phelan |
Clear powder doesn't last and will look terrible, as you mentioned. The only way to get a maintenance free finish on the PM wheels is to have them powdered a different color AFAIK. | ||
| Jramsey |
IIRC Oldog had his polished and clear powder coated and they looked great until the moisture trapped between the wheel halves started working its way out. I use Semi-Chrome once a year then Isopropyl Alcohol and a cloth after washing to remove water spots/bug juice stains. | ||
| Oldog |
Yes I would not recomned clear coating PM wheels, they flex, and according to M2nc the PC if put on to heavy will not hold well. mine have gotten cracked and water has gotten under the plastic in a couple of places. plan is to remove and chemicaly stip them. | ||
| Fullauto |
A maintenance free finish. God, how I wish such things existed. I'd put some on my wife for good measure!!!! | ||
| Preybird1 |
lol lol  I was hoping you could just wash and wax if it was powder coated. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
You need a line on a metal polisher? The guy that did my Supertrapp did great work. Re-polished my headers and mirror shine on the muffler for $110 I think... I've still got the receipt near the top of my stack. |
