Eroding alloy on wheels

[Pc8975]

The consensus seems to be powder coating. Surely, though, and Triumph have admitted to me that they took a director-level decision NOT to apply lacquer to their wheels due to adhesion problems, why oh why, on a £14,000 bike, are the wheels not powder coated on the production line.
Has Mr. Bloor ever tried getting his hands up between the disc one side and the shaft the other. Extremely difficult and very uncomfortable and totally unnecessary if Triumph valued their customers and good name and supplied a bike ready for normal use. I will powder coat but Triumph has lost a lot of credibility with me. I should not be expected to run the ACF50 coated rag over each wheel after every trip.
Thanks everyone for your responses and advice. Martin

Hi,
Can anyone advise?
Has anyone else had wheels replaced?
I am on my 3rd Rocket, a 2013 Rocket roadster. Never used in winter. Fortunate enough to be retired and do not need to take out when salt on road.
My first Rocket, a 2006, bought in 2008, the wheels were not brilliant, but with a lot of effort, could keep reasonable.
My second, a 2011 Roadster, bought when 6 months old, had the wheels replaced at 15 months because the alloy was corroding. This is despite regular cleaning/polishing and never going out in winter.
My 13 Roadster is now doing the same. Just 18 months old and the wheels look terrible. I have had to take very fine wire wool, white spirit and then a proprietor polish to get anywhere near looking like a 18 month old non-winter use bike should. Anyone any ideas, offers of help or is it another long battle with Triumph for replacements. I am 69, have been riding regularly since 16 and am not a novice at keeping my bike clean. Are Triumph using either an inferior metal or inferior lacquer because, quite honestly, I have never had wheels deteriorate as quickly as these.
I have considered having them painted but feel I should not be resorting to this on such a young, well-cared for bike.
Your views greatly appreciated, thanks. Martin

 

[Festersvan]

ive had a few sets of alloys on cars & bikes over the years & find the laquer over here is very poor.i had some new ones on my truck a year ago in may & by november they were tarnishing.it seems you have to expect it in u.k
had mine powder coated black so no problem any more.ive made various ally parts for my bikes over the years too which i polish but dont laquer,just keep on top of the polishing & never had any problems with my own stuff.I would say get them coated to be honest,theres some good powder coaters about that can coat in a silver which comes very close to an ally polished wheel.I know we shouldnt have too,but needs must........

 

[cr0ft]

The coating or whatnot on the alloys doesn't survive more than a year on the rear in my experience at least.

For the Roadster, lots of people seem to be powdercoating them. That's pretty affordable and the result can be stellar if you don't need chrome. I can't really powdercoat on my Touring though, it would look like crap. Any "chrome" powdercoating looks like silver paint, can't go there.

I did briefly consider doing this: http://www.calchrome.com/CalChrome-Clear-Coat but the cost gets prohibitive. The only finish aside from polished metal I can see on my bike is chrome, though, or something very chrome-like but more durable like this.

My plan is to fight it using these, for now:

http://www.flitz.com/aluminum-pre-clean/

http://www.flitz.com/flitz-polish-paste/

http://www.flitz.com/buff-ball-super-mini-2/

 

[TOMCAT]

Hey Martin ... you somehow miss the Intro option .. powdercoat the f#ckin things , that's what i did. Screw polishing

 

[Jag]

This works good for me and about five times faster than flitz. Follow the directions works great but only on aluminum. Not so good on other metals. Don't get me wrong, I do like flitz but this stuff work better.

 

[cr0ft]

This works good for me and about five times faster than flitz. Follow the directions works great but only on aluminum.

http://www.californiacustom.com/aluminum_deoxidizer.html has videos, definitely looks like a solid product. If I were to guess I'd say the deoxidizer converts the oxidation to something else that the polish can then easily lift (since the metal turns white when you apply the deoxidizer).

 

[Festersvan]

Hey Martin ... you somehow miss the Intro option .. powdercoat the f#ckin things , that's what i did. Screw polishing

same here,i hate all that polishing at the best of times

 

[Jag]

http://www.californiacustom.com/aluminum_deoxidizer.html has videos, definitely looks like a solid product. If I were to guess I'd say the deoxidizer converts the oxidation to something else that the polish can then easily lift (since the metal turns white when you apply the deoxidizer).

You are correct croft, works like a charm and then leave a protective coating behind. the reason I don't like it on high polished surface, because you have to keep buffing to make to get it all off.
I thought about using a solvent on the wheels afterwards and then putting a good coat of wax on to see if that helps. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[CanberraR3]

After 5 years the wheels on my bike still have a great finish and polish up easily with Purple polish. Environmental issues obviously a factor.

 

[Blackthou]

Hi Martin, first of all respect, 69 and still riding not to mention it's a Rocket.

Welcome to the forum. Is your garage damp? Have you considered a light oily rag just to moisten the surface or one of the silicone sprays just to protect as you don't ride in poor conditions.

Where abouts are you in Suffolk, I'm just over the border in Essex?