Wheels refurb - paint, polish, or...

[blackflash]

My 'bird is P reg ('96) but had only done 1000 miles when I bought it aged 5 and has yet to hit 10k at age 13... Yes, I'm ashamed to admit it only clocks up 1000 miles or so per year if lucky.

Trouble is it sits under a breathable cover when not in use and while everything else is ok, the wheels look knackered and deserve a new year treat.

I've seen painted wheels and polished rims and am keen to explore my options (short of buying completely new wheels). I'm particularly keen to hear from anyone who has had their wheels done and what they think of them in terms of looks and ease of maintenance subsequently... and particularly keen to see any pics of your pride and joy if you've had your wheels done.

I've considered a straight black refurb, and gold wheels, but I guess by default I'm heading towards polished rims... but am open-minded about other suggestions for my black 'bird and keen to learn what works and doesn't.

Inspire me!

Blackflash

 

[bmwdumptruck]

Do you now have a better place to store it? If not you really need the most durable finish, Powder coat or Stove enamelling. Talk to Jaws for more info, but I doubt you'll want the maintenance of polished rims if your existing storage has caused the problems you have in the first place.

 

[ascar]

sad very sad - having a bike standing still gathering dust and not getting some miles on it.
since you are only doing 2.7 miles a day what do you do with the rest of the ride time -clean it ??
powder or enamel would be my choice as polished needs looking after

 

[Steve Smith]

I gave my all black rims a fresh new look by stripping ( with chemical stripper) the black off of mine, priming the center sections and then painting with automotive type base coat/clear coat paint. Just the outer lips were smoothed down with 600 grit wet sandpaper and polished. Even painting with acrylic enamel (no clear coat) looks glossy and is easy to care for. Check out the pix of my custom XX at the "she's 90% done" thread here.

 

[blackflash]

Do you now have a better place to store it? If not you really need the most durable finish, Powder coat or Stove enamelling. Talk to Jaws for more info, but I doubt you'll want the maintenance of polished rims if your existing storage has caused the problems you have in the first place.

Plan is to clear scrappy area and build proper garage or carport to keep the worst off and make it more accessible so it will not only be better protected but be easier to clean and easier to get out and ride.

Not as much ride time as I'd like but I have too much work and too many other "hobbies" including my (black of course) XJR, martial arts, and walking in the Lakes (where I take the bike a couple of times a year for its major outings). Wife suggests I sel it given how much use it gets but I just can't... and keep promising myself I'll get a proper storage place and ride it more often. Bl**dy gorgeous when I do...

Jaws is who I am planning on sending the wheels to so it's good to have a vote of confidence.

Purple Plazma, that's looking good. You're clearly a far more accomplished DIY man than most!

What's the difference in looks between powder coating and stove enamelling?

I think I like the look of black (powder or enamel) with polished rims protected by a clear lacquer...

Blackflash

 

[Centaur]

A short anti-plug

Unless you are a polishing fanatic forget polished rims.......a feckin pain in the ass! Like sex before I discovered women!:-0) Lacquer cracks and then watch the corrosion build up like galloping knobrot!

 

[angrybear]

powder coat

i had a zzr 1100 for 7yrs and the owner before me had the wheels powder coated in silver in 7rs of ownership including a couple of cackhanded tyre changes they still looked like new i have had several other sets of wheels done since and they were verry good i am thinking of having the bb wheels done as they are very chipped just remember to put old bolts in all the holes

 

[Flymo01]

My last bike was a GSX600f. (my fist bike).

I stripped, painted and pollished the wheels on it. No issues with water ingress through the lacquer, 'cos I didn't use it on the pollished rims.

Pics attached.

Used Brasso wadding on the pollished rims. Ten mins and they were done.

 

[stormer]

You need to follow the 'wash & go' route.....less to polish the better.....powder coat....:yo: Ride it not polish it!

 

[Howard]

I have just polished the rims on my uglybusa, bit of nitromorse, masking tape and wire wool and a few hours = job done at little cost, However if I don't keep on top of them and polish regulary as said they will corode away....so if you like polishing do this... if not powder coat, will cost in the region of ?80 for both wheels and a new set of wheel bearings (these will need to be removed and replaced)

 

[silverfox.xx]

Jaws, powdercoat. nuff said...

and w;;v

 

[mick the knife]

Jaws, powdercoat. nuff said...

and w;;v

Ahhhh, thats how you done yours then

 

[rickstar]

polished

ohhhhhhhh bugger the polishing, i have fully polished wheels and i spend longer cleaning the buggers than rideing it, the slightest bit of damp and they look sh-te ime more like a harley owner than a bird yes they look great but all you are thinking is bugger is that a puddle ime gonna hit,,,,,,, been told that i can get wheels clear powder coated to keep them looking cool, does any one have any views on this cheers rick

 

[bmwdumptruck]

been told that i can get wheels clear powder coated to keep them looking cool, does any one have any views on this cheers rick

Post 6 answers this one.