[zachs 650]

has anyone polished there stock black wheels. somebody was careless when changing my rear tire and scratched it pretty bad. as far as i know the wheels are aluminum so they should polish well, then mabye add a clear coat.

 

[Zach]

yeah, you can do it.

 

[zachs 650]

any pics or suggestions most people would go chrome but i like the polished look.

 

[Zach]

actually, none of us would "go chrome" as we prefer our bikes be light and nimble.

most of us leave our wheels a solid silver or black.

yeah, aircraft stripper will take the paint off, then you just need to use polishing compound on the exposed aluminum.

 

[nille]

I used some abrasive stain to get the color off and
then just took metal polish...
Thats the result:

 

[zachs 650]

thanks for pics, looks great, did you tape off the center section and did you clear coat. where in germany? my cousins in (bingen)spelling?

 

[TOLAROS]

actually, none of us would "go chrome" as we prefer our bikes be light and nimble.

most of us leave our wheels a solid silver or black.

yeah, aircraft stripper will take the paint off, then you just need to use polishing compound on the exposed aluminum.

Why,does chrome add weight?

 

[zachs 650]

i wondered the same thing but it makes sense if your adding metal plating your adding weight not much but i guess ever bit counts

 

[zachs 650]

if you think about it polishing the wheels could be a performance upgrade, because of the reduced weight of the paint again not much but the paint does look pretty thick

 

[nille]

thanks for pics, looks great, did you tape off the center section and did you clear coat. where in germany? my cousins in (bingen)spelling?

Yep, taped the center but didn't use clear coat.
I wouldn't recommend using clear coat because when a stone hits the wheel the coat gets damaged and you will get corrosion when water gets under the coat. And that will soon look creepy...
Better polish it periodically...

I live in the north near bremen about 500km from bingen

 

[xnoahx]

from experience, carb cleaner does a pretty good job of helping rub off your wheel paint.

 

[alcapwned]

I used some abrasive stain to get the color off and
then just took metal polish...
Thats the result:

That looks awesome how long did the process take you? How long ago did you do it and how is it holding up? Has it dulled at all?

 

[nille]

That looks awesome how long did the process take you? How long ago did you do it and how is it holding up? Has it dulled at all?

I did it back in spring 2006, so its been about three years.
That wheel took about 4 hours...

No, hasn't dulled. I polish it from time to time and that keeps it shine :happy3:

 

[kjkrow]

Nille, that looks really sharp. I can't believe I didn't notice it in any of your other pics yet, like the SVOTM ones, but it goes great with your bike.

 

[dream36realms]

once again thats why I always voted for you nille. your bike is about the details

 

[zachs 650]

yea i agree it does look good i like the black center contrast, got a pick of the front?

 

[nille]

Nille, that looks really sharp. I can't believe I didn't notice it in any of your other pics yet, like the SVOTM ones, but it goes great with your bike.

Thank you
Sometimes needs more than just one view...

once again thats why I always voted for you nille. your bike is about the details

Ah, so you are the one ;D lol

yea i agree it does look good i like the black center contrast, got a pick of the front?

Yep, got a pic of the front, also posted it in the svotm thread

 

[alcapwned]

looks like I might have a nice little project ahead of me!

 

[Zach]

nice chicken strips ya poser!

 

[zachs 650]

how did u get the staight line, did you tape?