Chrome-plated steel wheels will give you years of dependable service and shine. Like any premium chrome finish, they last longest when they are cleaned regularly and protected. The care routine is simple, and a few minutes after a ride is all it takes.
Routine cleaning
- Wash your wheels regularly with a mild automotive soap and water.
- Clean the wheels only when they have cooled to ambient temperature. Brakes and hubs get hot, and cold water on hot metal can spot the finish.
- Dry thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel. Water left to dry on its own leaves mineral spots.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners, steel wool, scouring pads and harsh chemicals — including acid-based wheel cleaners. Chrome is hard but thin; once it is scratched through, it cannot be restored without replating.
- Avoid pressure-washing at close range, which can force water past seals and lift the edges of any damaged plating.
Brake dust
Brake dust is not just dirt. It contains fine metallic particles from the pads and rotors, and if it is left on a chrome surface — particularly when damp — it can become corrosive and begin to pit the plating.
- Remove brake dust regularly.
- Clean more often after riding in wet weather or heavy traffic, when dust builds up faster.
- Do not let brake dust, road grime, insects or other contaminants stay on the wheels for extended periods.
Protecting the finish
A layer of protection makes chrome both more durable and easier to clean.
- Apply a quality automotive wax or chrome protectant every two to three months.
- If you use a chrome polish, reapply protection afterward. Polishes clean the surface but remove the protective layer.
- Regular protection guards against moisture, road contaminants, fingerprints and environmental fallout, and it makes routine washing much easier.
Early-spring riding and road salt
In many regions, road salt and de-icing chemicals stay on the road well into the early riding season, long after the snow has gone. Those residues are highly corrosive to chrome-plated steel. If you ride at that time of year:
- Rinse your wheels with fresh water as soon as practical after each ride.
- Wash thoroughly with mild automotive soap and water.
- Dry completely with a clean microfiber towel.
- Reapply wax or chrome protectant as needed.
- Never leave road salt or de-icing residue on the wheels for extended periods.
A few minutes of cleaning after an early-spring ride will protect the chrome for years.
Storage
If the motorcycle is going to be stored for an extended period, such as over winter:
- Wash and dry the wheels thoroughly.
- Apply a quality wax or chrome protectant before storage.
- Store the motorcycle in a clean, dry place whenever possible.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to high humidity or standing moisture. A damp garage floor can do more harm to chrome over a winter than a season of riding.
Why care matters for your warranty
Our chrome steel wheels are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship. Corrosion that results from failing to remove brake dust, road salt, de-icing chemicals or other contaminants in a timely manner — or damage from abrasive cleaners, acids, close-range pressure washing or improper storage — is not a manufacturing defect and is not covered. Ordinary care is what keeps the finish, and the coverage, intact.