Polishing Aluminum Wheels
09-17-2014, 11:14 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Polishing Aluminum Wheels
I have an 02 C5 with the original Aluminum wheels. Been reading
about using a Clay Bar to prep the wheels before polishing them, does anyone have experience with this? and is there a best brand of Clay Bar for the job?
about using a Clay Bar to prep the wheels before polishing them, does anyone have experience with this? and is there a best brand of Clay Bar for the job?
09-17-2014, 11:32 AM
#2
Race Director
What do you mean by "polish?" The OEM aluminum wheels are clear-coated and can't be sanded or have an abrasive polish used on them unless you strip the clear coat first.
09-17-2014, 11:34 AM
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
That's what the article sounded like they were doing with the Clay Bar, stripping the clear coat down to get to the aluminum?
09-17-2014, 11:40 AM
#4
Race Director
09-17-2014, 11:45 AM
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
09-17-2014, 11:47 AM
#6
Race Director
09-17-2014, 11:49 AM
#8
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If the clear has gotten cloudy or is otherwise not in the best of shape, about all you can do is strip the clear off, re-polish the aluminum with a good polish (like one offered by Adams), and then re-clear if you so desire. You would not have to re-clear if you don't want too, but the maintenance on the wheels will be more involved.
09-17-2014, 11:50 AM
#9
Intermediate
Thread Starter
If the clear has gotten cloudy or is otherwise not in the best of shape, about all you can do is strip the clear off, re-polish the aluminum with a good polish (like one offered by Adams), and then re-clear if you so desire. You would not have to re-clear if you don't want too, but the maintenance on the wheels will be more involved.
09-17-2014, 11:58 AM
#10
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09-17-2014, 11:58 AM
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If the clear has gotten cloudy or is otherwise not in the best of shape, about all you can do is strip the clear off, re-polish the aluminum with a good polish (like one offered by Adams), and then re-clear if you so desire. You would not have to re-clear if you don't want too, but the maintenance on the wheels will be more involved.
09-17-2014, 03:36 PM
#12
What exactly are you trying to achieve? You didn't clarify the current condition of your OEM wheels. If they are in good condition and you are just trying to put a good shine on them, you can use the same polish and wax that you do on the body.
It works best to remove each wheel so you can clean and polish the inside barrel as well as the outside. Then you can clay bar them to clean them, if needed, followed by the polish and wax you use on your car currently.
It works best to remove each wheel so you can clean and polish the inside barrel as well as the outside. Then you can clay bar them to clean them, if needed, followed by the polish and wax you use on your car currently.
09-18-2014, 09:53 AM
#13
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
I've had tremedous success by using a good polish with a cone-drill attachment, and then doing a good solid coat of (XX insert wax here XX) by hand. People swear they're chrome, which I really don't like, but I guess they look good.
