How to Polish Motorcycle Rims

Most motorcycles are dressed up with chrome or aluminum rims on them. These rims are sporty and stylish, but they also require care to keep them looking clean, polished and rust free. Sometimes motorcyclists neglect to care for this part of the motorcycle. Without a good coat of polish the rims will become pitted and may even flake and rust. Keeping the rims clean and polished will help avoid this.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean soft lint free cloths
• Garden hose
• Bucket of warm soapy water
• Scouring powder
• Favorite car polish or chrome polish

Preparing the Rims to Polish:

1. Never attempt to polish rims that are dirty, pitted or starting to rust. You’ll need to take care of this problem first. Fix a bucket of warm soapy water and have some soft cloths on hand. You’ll need several if the rims are severely dirty or pitted.

2. Spray the rims with a garden hose to loosen dirt. Wet the cloth and dip it into a small pile of dry scouring cleanser. Rub this cleanser soaked cloth wherever the dirt, rust or pitting seems to be the worst. Work your way around the rim, rinsing the cloth often into the soapy water.

3. Rinse the rims and repeat the scrubbing if necessary. When the rim is clean, dry it with a shammy or let it air dry. Now you can assemble the polishing products.

Polishing the Rims

4. Use your favorite car or chrome polish, depending on what type of rims you have. Car polish works well on chrome if you have it on hand.

5. Rub polish over the entire rim. Work the polish cloth up and down all of the spokes, if your motorcycle has these type rims. Some have spoke rims and some have solid rims. Either is easy to work with.

6. Let the polish set until it dries to a white haze. Use a soft lint free cloth to wipe the polish off with. Shake the cloth and turn it often to remove polish dust from the cloth. Use another clean cloth to buff the rims to a brilliant shine.

7. Check the tires to make sure you haven’t left any traces of polish on them. If you have, wash it off with a damp cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry a micro cloth in your saddle bags and wipe off the rims if you have ridden in the rain or on an exceptionally dirty road.
• Make sure the motorcycle is on the belly stand securely before attempting to wash or polish the rims. This also helps the front tire to rotate for better access to the entire rim.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[dereklmiller]

on 4/14/2009 You can polish dirty motorcycle rims if your polish has cleaner in it! Here's one http://www.sheengenie.com/rimpolish.html

[ihuloa]

on 12/6/2008 anyone have tips on cleaning motorcycle tires? I avoind the armour all and tire black slick stuff.. have tried simple green and other cleaners but leave rubber with white finish.. any suggestions?