Ironhead aluminum wheels: kill corrosion/save paint?

[thecarfarmer]

So, I'm sitting here around casita carfarmer... and got to thinking about the corrosion on my daughter Sportster mags once again.



And I got to thinking, there has to be a way to mitigate that corrosion, without screwing up the paint. The bike's a really nice little 75th anniversary sporty, and is unusually straight, clean, and original.

Before I grab some Kroil and a rag, I Thought I would cast around to see if anybody had any other suggestions

Thanks in advance!

-Bill

[simeli]

There isn't much you can do to remove the corrosion that is coming through without further damage to the finish. You know the color if you want to fix it, strip and repaint or powder coat it.

[John Harper]

My wheels look the same. I'm going to try a small handheld wire brush and hot soapy water. The rim strip I think will clean up with some steel wool and polish. I don't think those stock wheels are coated IMO.


Oops, looks like your's are painted gold? My rims look a lot worse than this picture shows, especially the rotor/axle area.

John

[bustert]

try an a/c coil cleaner or aluma-brite. start off with weak mixture and go from there. I use it on my cast wheels.
been saying this for years , but I am going to blast mine smooth and powder coat. retired, figured I would have time, ain't happening yet.

[IronMick]

This ...



plus a little normal cleaning, plus a toothbrush, plus this ...



equals this ...



Stock "near match" gold paint at Canadian Tire. So close to original color i cannot see any difference. Probably the same at any auto supply under their whatever brand name. Applied it with a toothbrush. Actually a few to several toothbrushes. It just wipes off easily from the "bright" parts where you do not want it, regardless of wet or dry. A couple or a few hours per wheel.

[thecarfarmer]

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Now time to start another thread...

-Bill

[bustert]

if you are going to repaint, get some nylac clear from eastwoodco, they used to have diamond clear but quit selling it.

[valvebeater]

I have had excellent results with clear engine enamel from NAPA to preserve polished/painted aluminum wheels.

[Chuckthebeatertruck]

Wd40 and very fine steel wool. I do the wheels on the sp1000 at the beginning and end of winter to ward off road salt corrosion. Works a charm.