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I have no idea what I'm doing...

13K views 70 replies 20 participants last post by  Jakvis 
#1 ·
I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm having a lot of fun at the same time.

Bought a set of 2008 Vision wheels that had lots of nicks and scratches on them. Figured if I could polish them up and perhaps paint them, I can have a pretty unique XC.
I've never refinished anything like this before, but I figured I'd give it a shot. The wheels were cheap so if I destroy them, no big deal, and I am learning so it's worth it anyway.
Not done with them, but figured I'd share.



Before and After:
 

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#2 ·
Cool! That's the way you learn, by doing it.
 
#27 ·
Just don't do what I did. While removing my tires I used Mean Green to lube the beads. got some on the rims which are chrome and didn't wipe it up right away, it started to etch the chrome. Couldn't have used just plain dish soap. Had to use rubbing compound to get it out and still is not perfect.
 
#10 ·
I didn't know Vision wheels would fit a Cross Country.
Since the XCT and Vision have different forks, I'd take a look at the hub dimensions and be cautious of the axle spacers...they may not be the same between the bikes.
( @broggyr I thought of this yesterday as I was mowing the lawn... seriously)
 
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#5 ·
Everything I've seen says they will, so I'm going for it. I want to paint the spokes to match the bike... :)
 
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#7 ·
Dude....... do it!!!!
 
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#8 ·
Probably; I want to minimize maintenance. I'll probably clear the whole thing once the blue is in.
 
#13 ·
That are awsome rims .... But i do not like the 2 dots per spoke, you could remove them and your rims would look smoother ?

Andre using TaPaTaLk
 
#16 · (Edited)
The dots are only on one side and I believe they are artifacts from the casting process. Having said that, I could definitely remove them. it would just take a bit of time. I might just do that.
 
#14 ·
if you work a them you might be able to get a chrome plish out of them, not sure what you are really going for. I did this years ago for Yamaha vstar 100.
 
#15 ·
@attbvyrne I know if I put a **** ton of work into them, I can get a mirror shine. But these wheels have so many imperfections in them that a mirror shine would showcase them. If I can get a shiny aluminum finish comparable to the OEM wheels, I'll be happy with that.

@PaiN There's a guy on the VOG who put Vision wheels on his XCT and had no issues. In fact, the later visions came with the same wheel as the XCTs. I just checked the spacers and both the 2008 Vision and the 2013 XCT use the same ones.

https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts/a/vic/503f5d46f8700222b84922d5/wheels-front-all-options
 
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#18 ·
Come to think of it you could mask off the ridges in the center as well...

You're a computer guy, take a picture and find a decent paint program and make some comps. Oh, and share them with us.
 
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#19 ·
I am NOT a huge fan of the contrast cuts, either with the OEM wheels or even more so on aftermarket rims. They're popular, but they are not for me.

Being a computer guy doesn't automatically make me a graphic artist; quite frankly, I suck at that stuff. You'll have to suffer with old-fashioned digital photos :D :D
 
#20 ·
I was thinking all blue might be a bit to much also. What about the ridge in the center of spoke and then the edge of spoke blue it would be like outlining the rim.
 
#21 ·
I thought about that. Nope. Too much work. A blue spoke with a shiny rim would be perfect with me.
Too much blue? Have you MET me? Oh wait, no; you haven't... :D :D :D
 
#22 ·
My graphic skills suck too. LOL Well I didnt spend much time on this, but you get the ideal. And some metal all pads and elbow grease will make any alum look great.
 

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#24 ·
I see what you're going for. If I was going to do any of that, I'd reverse it; make the middle of the spoke blue and keep the bevel bare.
But I don't want to do that much paint prep ;)
 
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#25 · (Edited)
Starting to make some progress. This is one side and isn’t a final polish yet. My arms feel like rubber LoL
 

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#28 ·
I won’t be mounting my own tires. I did that once. That was enough.
 
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#29 ·
broggyr
let me be the first to ask what your going to charge for doing all are wheels.
Was there any good polinging tips on youtube
 
#30 ·
If I had to charge for this, it would be prohibitively expensive because I sure don’t want to do this anymore lol
 
#31 ·
Just picked up some 1/4" pinstripe for edging the wheel for painting. That along with some painter's tape should be sufficient to mask the polished surface.
 
#32 ·
Status: primered and ready for paint.
 

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#33 ·
Thats gonna look SWEEEEEET

Andre using TaPaTaLk
 
#35 ·
Looking forward to the end result.
 
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