How to clean this aluminum rim?
03-30-20, 07:09 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
How to clean this aluminum rim?
So I have a set of wheels with Weinmann concave rims. They have some surface corrosion. Spots are more black than than they appear. Anyhow, how can I remove this? I used Mothers Aluminum polish but it just polishes the rim. Some procedure with a Dremel tool? Lost cause?
03-30-20, 07:16 PM
#2
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How much time and effort do you want to put into them? If you're serious about them, you can always wet sand before polishing. Start with a 400 grit sand paper and in increments of 400 work up to 1200 grit. Then give them a good polish and a wax to protect them. Polish only shines, it doesn't protect unless it has wax or synthetic polymers to do the job. I've done this on aluminum mags and it works, but you'll end up with one arm larger than the other 
03-30-20, 07:35 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sounds like that would be much easier with a bare rim without spokes in the way. Not sure that I want to invest that kind of time and effort.
03-30-20, 07:55 PM
#4
Sr Member on Sr bikes
I recently obtained an old aluminum Vitus with a lot of bare aluminum parts of the frame, wheels, and components. I got some Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish and get really good results with it. Great shine but it is time consuming.
That being said...IMO, the corrosion around the spoke holes is pretty extensive. And I think that you'll soon start seeing cracks around them (if there aren't already). So maybe you don't want to waste time polishing, and go ahead and invest in new wheels.
Dan
That being said...IMO, the corrosion around the spoke holes is pretty extensive. And I think that you'll soon start seeing cracks around them (if there aren't already). So maybe you don't want to waste time polishing, and go ahead and invest in new wheels.
Dan
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03-30-20, 08:38 PM
#5
Senior Member
I spent hours polishing the factory Ukai rims of my '75 Fuji S-10S with Simichrome polish until they absolutely gleamed! Then someone asked if my bike had chrome steel rims... (like the earlier years did...) < Sigh! >
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03-31-20, 02:28 AM
#6
Senior Member
I imagine wire wool would work pretty well.
03-31-20, 09:14 AM
#8
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FLITZ https://www.flitz.com/flitz-polish-paste/
used on bazillion dollar mega yachts is great stuff and for surface corrosion I gingerly scrape with the tip of a knife.
used on bazillion dollar mega yachts is great stuff and for surface corrosion I gingerly scrape with the tip of a knife.
03-31-20, 03:31 PM
#9
Senior Member
If it doesn't come off with steel wool & Turtlewax chrome cleaner it won't come off.
03-31-20, 04:30 PM
#10
Full Member
I would heed this advice.
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04-03-20, 08:59 AM
#12
Senior Member
If it was mine I would do something to help prevent further corrosion.Some people use WD40. I use diesel fuel. Take a dropper bottle full of diesel & carefully place a small amount on each bad spot & let it soak in. It's a cheap fix that may get you by long enough before you need new wheels.
ps: don't over do it & wipe off brake surfaces on rims with rubbing alcohol before you ride.
ps: don't over do it & wipe off brake surfaces on rims with rubbing alcohol before you ride.
04-03-20, 05:52 PM
#13
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Good luck.
04-03-20, 09:11 PM
#14
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You could try varies grades of steel wool but this may not be all that good looking without removing the spokes to get a consistent finish. It's a lot of work either way. Aren't these non-hooked rims anyway?
04-04-20, 02:44 AM
#15
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Flitz! Best stuff ever followed by an application of carnauba automotive paste wax. After waxing, use alcohol to remove it from the brake flats.
I had these rims on my old Fuji. They were custom built wheels with Campy Tipo HF hubs. Rode them for 30+ years on and off. The down side was mine were NOT hook beads. They never needed truing. The rims were very strong and used to come in 36, 40 and 48 holes for tandem and heavy touring use.
I had these rims on my old Fuji. They were custom built wheels with Campy Tipo HF hubs. Rode them for 30+ years on and off. The down side was mine were NOT hook beads. They never needed truing. The rims were very strong and used to come in 36, 40 and 48 holes for tandem and heavy touring use.
04-04-20, 10:45 AM
#16
Newbie
The discoloration isn't ON the rim, it's IN the aluminum. Nothing will remove this. The aluminum has oxidized from age, neglect or exposure and this is how it looks now. Don't waste time or money trying to fix what isn't broken. Look for cracks or splits and otherwise just ride. I have many vintage motorcycles with discolored engine cases and they're just fine. No amount of elbow grease will solve your issue. Call it patina and live with it.
