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Cleaning badly stained mag wheels! Help!

14673 Views 36 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  webco2
As much as I'd like to just replace the wheels on my 2009 flhtcu, I just can't afford it right now. I don't think the former owner ever cleaned them. I tried a couple spots, one with chrome polish and the other with mothers mag cleaner. Both looked about the same still not being able to get off all of the black brake/road grime. Is there something that I might be able to spray on them and let them soak that might help loosen it up enough to clean them?
I searched thru the threads for help and all I seen was someone used sprayway. I think these are in too bad of shape for that at this point. I'm not seeing any corrosion set into the wheel, just bad stained black spots. Thanks for any help!
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Mothers Mag polish has been my favorite for many years, BUT I've noticed that it does not take some stains out. I got some "Buschs" alum. cleaner from a Truck stop and it is much better (aggressive) at removing the stains in my alum. Then I use Mothers for the final finish. Busch's/Bush's ? is a liquid in a black bottle, not real expensive.
i use 600 grit sand paper and autosol lots of salt pitting in the clearcoat here in canada comes right out
There is no pitting that I can see. Thanks guys!
Might also try Meguiar's Hot Rims tire and wheel cleaner.

They make different formulations depending on what your wheel is made out of, Aluminum/Chrome/Coated
I have to go to walmart this evening, and I know they carry some of those Kainam. I'm gonna get a couple different kinds to see if any work. I may try to find that bushs also when I travel next week. Thanks again all!
Just bare aluminum right??
I guess they call these new mag wheels some kind of spoke wheels. There are black painted in between the spokes?? Looks mag or aluminum to me on the outside edge and spokes.
Ok, so I went to walmart and bought a tube of Meguiars heavey cut metal polish. Worked ok but didn't get all the black spots off.
I also bought a tube of Quixx all metal polish. It removed all the spots and the spots that Meguiars didn't get off. Gonna be a lot of work but I think I can get these pretty close to new again.
Ok, so I went to walmart and bought a tube of Meguiars heavey cut metal polish. Worked ok but didn't get all the black spots off.
I also bought a tube of Quixx all metal polish. It removed all the spots and the spots that Meguiars didn't get off. Gonna be a lot of work but I think I can get these pretty close to new again.
Should've picked up a five gallon bucket of elbow grease!!
Pictures?
Right! Pix or it didn't happen!
Should've picked up a five gallon bucket of elbow grease!!
Aisle 5, right next to Get-a-sense-of-humor . :)
I only did a couple spots right now guys. I have to work out of town so I'll have to plan a day when I get back to do the both wheels.
Baggerboy, I will have to supply my own elbow grease. Lol
There is a product called Auto Wenol, that works fantastic on most metal surface's.



Amazon.com - Wenol Metal Polish 3-oz. -
I used the 'Bar Keeps Friend' in the liquid on my Fatboy wheels worked pretty good ?
I like Meguires products. I have also used BarKeepers Friend.

With that said, I used the S100 bike cleaning spray on the entire bike (not wind screen) and got good results. Perhaps my wheels weren't that bad to begin.

Don't let S100 sit too long read the instructions. Has anyone used S100 bike cleaner (just the regular bike cleaner) to clean the wheels and tires?
I like Meguires products. I have also used BarKeepers Friend.

With that said, I used the S100 bike cleaning spray on the entire bike (not wind screen) and got good results. Perhaps my wheels weren't that bad to begin.

Don't let S100 sit too long read the instructions. Has anyone used S100 bike cleaner (just the regular bike cleaner) to clean the wheels and tires?
Not on my motorcycle, but I did use S100 on the wheels of my Cobra when I did suspension work on it.

Cleaned up the wheels pretty good, inside and out. :thumb
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