Rims
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I agree with 79 L-82Owner, what you may be comparing them to is aftermarket chrome wheels, not polished aluminum. I would think it would be VERY hard to get the aluminum to shine like the chrome. My aluminum wheels look good until I park next to a car that has the chrome ones.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Nevrdull-Thats it! I think its made by Eagle one. If its the same stuff that I'm thinking of, its a slver can, and its a wadding. Tear a small piece off and scrub til its black, then start on another piece . . . and another piece . . . and another piece, until your arm feels like its ready to fall off. When your arm falls off, glue it back on and start on the second rim. Then when your done with all four, its time to start over.
As for the mini powerball though- I used mine once and threw it in the trash. I got much better results with the Wizards polisher tips (Expensive, but well worth it for polishing). Then a good, high quality CORDED drill. Makes all the difference in the world. If your smart, invite a couple of your best buddies over, and spend the afternoon polishing . . . he who ends up with the shiniest wheel wins a case of beer
Good luck!
As for the mini powerball though- I used mine once and threw it in the trash. I got much better results with the Wizards polisher tips (Expensive, but well worth it for polishing). Then a good, high quality CORDED drill. Makes all the difference in the world. If your smart, invite a couple of your best buddies over, and spend the afternoon polishing . . . he who ends up with the shiniest wheel wins a case of beer
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
Nothin' but water & chamois, and no-regrets yet!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Personally I think that an aluminum wheel that has been properly cared for and polished looks a heck of a lot better than the chrome wheels. You can tell the chrome wheels are aftermarket, and I don't know what it is but something just looks wrong about them on these cars. No offense to anyone who likes them, we all have our preferences, but for me I'll take a factory aluminum or rally wheel over ANY aftermarket wheel any day.
Not to mention that if you scratch your aluminum wheel usually you can sand it down and repolish. No such luck on a chrome wheel.
Not to mention that if you scratch your aluminum wheel usually you can sand it down and repolish. No such luck on a chrome wheel.
Last edited by Ron R; Oct 24, 2007 at 02:18 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
, so there was no making them look good in my opinion. As for the chrome, everyone comments on how nice they look. About 90% of the people that see them, think they came from the factory that way. Of course, we Corvette people know different, but the general public doesn't know the difference, and always comments on them at the shows. For me, I love the chrome!
Yours do look very nice though, in fact, the nicest polished I have seen.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I have cleaned a few sets of aluminum wheels and they have turned out very nice. It takes a few days to get a quality chrome like shine. Do one wheel at a time start w/400 and wet sand using the polish not water. Then go to 800 and repeat w/the polish not water wipe the wheel clean between sanding and LIGHT SAND only you don't need to push on the paper. Again wipe the wheel w/a clean dry rag then use a good polish/cleaner on a clean rag. you may need to repeat the last step a few times but you can get a dull aluminum wheel to shine like new. Last you can put a coat of wax on it you like. Takes about 3 hours per wheel
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
First of all its a long process. get some the older and dryer the better rubbing compound. Go at a little area at A time My first one took me three hours the others went a little Quicker. But man they stay clean and shinny.After I got all the plastic covering off I now use Mothers to keep em shinny
and it started with sanding
