Tips on cleaning engine block

[cardinal93]

Kind of goes with the engine cleaning: anybody know of a good way to get the oxidation off the wheels? I've heard scrubbing with aluminum foil, but can't imagine it wouldn't scratch? I've tried the purple and never dull, no luck.

 

[warp9.9]

Kind of goes with the engine cleaning: anybody know of a good way to get the oxidation off the wheels? I've heard scrubbing with aluminum foil, but can't imagine it wouldn't scratch? I've tried the purple and never dull, no luck.

I hit mine with mothers polish and some real real fine steel wool to take the oxidation off.

 

[cr0ft]

anybody know of a good way to get the oxidation off the wheels?

I have yet to tackle the project, but... Flitz makes aluminium-specific products. They have an Aluminium preclean (that you should keep away from chrome, from what I gather) that chemically goes after the oxidized aluminium, and then polishing balls made out of viscose that you mount on a fast drill. Then just take their metal polish, apply liberally to the rim and go to work with the polishing ball.

Here's a promo video that certainly makes the product look good. Might be worth a shot.

Another polish that looks insanely good from watching promos is Purple, lots of people here have mentioned they like it. But apparently you need one more step before that, the deoxidizer they also sell.

http://www.californiacustom.com.au/california-custom-catalogue/purple-metal-polish

 

[cardinal93]

I have the deoxidizer and purple polish. It's ok, but not good enough. Maybe if I'd started using it earlier?

 

[cr0ft]

Well, I've seen videos of people taking wheels that were never polished and grinding them down successively until they're mirror finish, so you'll have to take the wheels off, probably, and go to work on them with wet-sanding or some such. There's no such thing as aluminium that can't be polished but it may take sturdier stuff than polish.

 

[cardinal93]

They're off, maybe I'll see if I can find the flitz and try it?

 

[Triple Trouble]

Solvol Autosol. I've been using it for years on Brit bikes. Best stuff ever. Thats why old English motorcycles are so shiny.
http://www.autosol.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1820

 

[cr0ft]

Pretty familiar with Autosol and I haven't really felt it does a great job on aluminium. Though I haven't tried their aluminium specific formula.

They're off, maybe I'll see if I can find the flitz and try it?

Some sort of machine polisher and polish might get you some good results. I'm by no means an expert but if they're pitted enough you'll have to find some way to grind the top layer down some I suspect. I mean, it's metal, I don't think there is such a thing as a hopeless case, just one that requires a slightly more decisive method to cut it down.

 

[Wrecka]

I just refuse to look at my oxodised wheels , that way i dont get pissed off that a bike less than 12 months old can already be showing signs of deterioration ( for lack of a better word )

 

[cardinal93]

I agree a machine is fine...for the outer parts, but I'm looking for something (after this initial polishing) I can do more often and get the interior parts of the mag.
@Wrecka agreed, I'd rather ignore and ride if that's my only choice.