i was reading some of the posting about polishing the lip of the rims. i got to say it look nice but it take time to do. i'm still doing the back rim and i'll still be working on it all day.time to go and work on it more.

I did mine on my GS. Took me about 3 hours per rim including taping and clean up. I had my rims off the bike, too.

I did the front wheel on my current project, in less than an hour. All I used was aircraft stripper. Brushed it on, waited for the paint to lift off and then wiped it off. Did not tape anything. I was just careful when I brushed it on. The aluminum was nice and shiney underneath, for now.

I do not really care for the look that much. This wheel had some large paint chips and needed repainting. But the look actually may grow on me since I do not have to worry about chipping the paint when I change my own tires.

Quote from: dgyver on April 07, 2007, 03:38:50 PM
I did the front wheel on my current project, in less than an hour. All I used was aircraft stripper. Brushed it on, waited for the paint to lift off and then wiped it off. Did not tape anything. I was just careful when I brushed it on. The aluminum was nice and shiney underneath, for now.

Ahh, see, I had a spray can of paint stripper, so taping was necessary.

i spent many days polishing mine. then i went and painted the spokes semi flat black. i love it!!

How is the up keep though? I'll prolly end up powder coating semigloss black....but i'm tempted to do polished...

i used the spray but i think it's better to brush it on. i should be done in a week or so.

the upkeep aint bad. when i wash the bike 90% of the shine is there.  the other 10% can be achieved with a polish like brasso or something.  really tho its not that necessary!

HAHA  oh Chris...had you seen my bike in person before my wreck you would know that it was spotless (aside from rich's ride because it was raining and impossible to keep clean but it got a bath when i got back home) It'll be spotless again...once the paint is done. I'd freak out if I had less than 100% shine...but I don't mind cleaning up with some polish now and again. I may polish them and then use a clear powder coat over the top to protect them.

dont.  others will tell you that it will loose its shine even if you clear coat it.  it dulls and i think i heard it gets a yellow tint? just put in a lil elbow grease every couple rides, it aint that bad!

Would a coat of wax help with keeping it shiney?

Ehh...the black is seeming more and more appealing...since the rest of my bike is going to be blacked out anyway...idk...we'll have to see..I have to completely strip them in order to powdercoat anyway so maybe I'll see how I like it...

with the cheap a$$ed mentality around here.....

can o paint and masking tape....$6-10 bucks
powdercoat...$75ish bucks + a set of new wheel bearings, and a tire dismount/remount

I powdercoat myself...so it costs me ~$15 for powder/tape/stripping agents..

bearings and new valves aren't exactly expensive..

I am still working on the back rim, the paint on the front rim came off alot easier than the back. The picture in this posting is the front rim, which is completely done.I think it is easier to brush the stripper on. The stripper in the spray can is alot messier.

Quote from: allone on April 08, 2007, 10:54:46 AM
I am still working on the back rim, the paint on the front rim came off alot easier than the back. The picture in this posting is the front rim, which is completely done.I think it is easier to brush the stripper on. The stripper in the spray can is alot messier.

Definitely messier when it is sprayed, but that is why you tape off. The spray can stuff I had ate through the paint in about a minute or two. Most of the time I spent doing mine was being OCD on the taping and making sure it was right on the edge of where I wanted it. Stripping the paint was the easy part.