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do I want to remove the clear coat or will that speed the aluminum degradation?



Bare aluminum WILL oxidize ( aluminum oxide , the white stuff ) and will require constant polishing unless you isolate it from oxygen and water . Road salts and humidity will wreak havoc on aluminum wheels .
Clear coat 'em . Some of the powder coat folks can do it great .

2005 Model . Two Fast Eddy stickers , a bell and a clock . She's Lola . She tinkles and keeps time . http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu211/britbike05/