Best way to clean late 1980s VFR Aluminum Rims:

Have a 1987 700 with aluminum rims. Not sure if sandblasting is the best way to restore them. They have aging, wear, dark gray color deterioration, but no huge pits. Something more than a mild aluminum rim cleaner is needed. Thinking that sandblasting...if not done properly...may be to harsh.

Any comments are appreciated.

-Iggy

 

I had an old Yamaha with bare aluminum on the rims, and found the following to work quite well:

Very fine steel wool and Mother's aluminum/mag wheel polish. The combination of the mild abrasive properties of the steel wool and the chemical properties of the polish seemed to work wonders.

Also great for polishing bare aluminum cases, and pitted chrome.