Slotted wheel clean-up . . . help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Slotted wheel clean-up . . . help
I recently bought a set of aluminum slotted wheels off a mid 70's Vette. They are kind of dull and have a couple noticeable scratches that I would like to sand out. They look pretty straight and solid otherwise.
I need info on how to clean these up and polish them. What products and tools to use?
Thanks.
I need info on how to clean these up and polish them. What products and tools to use?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Use paint stripper from your local HomeDepot/Lowes/ACE to get the clearcoat or whatever is left of the coating off... then wetsand the bare aluminum with 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper and polish with chrome polish...
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 188
Likes: 20
From: Victoria Texas
Use paint stripper from your local HomeDepot/Lowes/ACE to get the clearcoat or whatever is left of the coating off... then wetsand the bare aluminum with 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper and polish with chrome polish...
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Use paint stripper from your local HomeDepot/Lowes/ACE to get the clearcoat or whatever is left of the coating off... then wetsand the bare aluminum with 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper and polish with chrome polish...
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
Mothers small "powerball" will make the polishing job a lot easier
You dont put clearcoat back on?If not does the polish keep the aluminum nice without a lot of upkeep?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
Thanks guys,
It was the sanding part I was unsure of. I didn't want to start sanding without knowing It could be fixed. 2000 grit huh? I do some woodworking and never get finer than about 220. That 2000 must be just a little grittier that plain paper.
Thanks again.
It was the sanding part I was unsure of. I didn't want to start sanding without knowing It could be fixed. 2000 grit huh? I do some woodworking and never get finer than about 220. That 2000 must be just a little grittier that plain paper.
Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I did mine with 1800 and water, then used a power ball and mothers. These wheels are made of a pretty high quality aluminum and will hold a polish a long time. I did mine 6 months ago and they look like the day I did them. I only spent about an hour or so on the project and they need a bit more to be done, but not a tough project and its worth doing
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
I did a set of IROC wheels a couple of years ago. I used aircraft stripper, works better than the paint stripper. Then for the scratches on the wheel, I started off with 400 wet paper, then 800, 1000, 1500 and finally 2000 wet paper. Use a good aluminum polish and they will look great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, Fl / St. Paul, Mn
I'm gettin' excited!Even though they only came on later C3's, the slot aluminum wheels just look right on any C3. I have a 72 coupe and I'm getting excited to see them on mine.
