Mornin! First and foremost, let me say in advance "Happy New Year" to all.... Now, I'm excited for several reasons. First, I just bought my first ever Corvette Stingray....I've wanted one ever since I graduated from High School back in 1967 and returned from Viet Nam in late 1969. Anyway, here I am now after buying one alittle over a month ago and I have a question regarding how to properly clean the 8-slotted Aluminum Wheels that are on it.....I've been lead to believe there are a number of good cleaner's and/or polisher's out there at my disposal to purchase but there seems to be soemthing else in particular that has caught my attention....There is a fuel used by people involved in toy type racing cars. I believe its called "Blue" something or other and is used for the model car's at Hobby Shop's for racing, etc. I read somewhere on another thread that this racing fuel can be used for cleaning and polishing your Aluminum Wheels. I realize the danger of course in using fuel but wonder if there is somneone out there that has used this method or "Fuel" on thier own Wheels. If so, could someone tell me exactly what type or name the fuel is that can be used for this task? Also, one other question. The Corvette I have (1976) has a key slot on the side of the hood (Driver's side).....My question is does this lock the hood itself so it cannot be opened, or is it hook up somehow to an alarm system under the hood section? I'm apprehensive in trying to tamper with this area unless I know for certain what it is suppose to be used for and what "Key" would be used for the locking device itself. Thanks for the help! ~JL

 

I have a '76. Fender key is for the theft alarm.

I use Mothers Mag/Aluminum polish on my wheels. My wheels did not have clear coat on them, although I beleive the later ones did. In order to polish, the clear coat has to be removed. Most people use paint thinner. Maybe that is what the "fuel" is used for.

 

If you think the clear coat is still there then acetone will remove
it. Try your wife's nail polish remover in a small spot to check(don't let her know and don't let your friends find it it your tool box) then try what ever polish you have. I have bluemagic ,autosole mothers and one of the better ones is Simichrome polish.
Post a pic of the wheels depending how bad you might have to wet sand them first.
Good luck

 

Nevr-dull for mags.. the stuff is unreal.

 

I had dull clear coat on my 79's. I user some paint remover (Making sure to not damage the black paint center) and followed with some Mother's.

They look great now! I just have to keep them polished up, but they never see rain so it isn't too hard.

 

I used buffing compound from Eastwoods then finished with Mother's mag/aluminum polish.

 

The photo looks nice.

 

Found a product called "White Diamond" at my local Advanced Auto Parts Store. The product is a Multi-Purpose cleaner/polisher. Product took awhile to get through all the "Muck" but now my Wheels look alot nicer than before.....Not "Show Quality" by any means, but nice enough for me. Thanks for your suggestions and good luck in the new year! ~JL

 

here's are some how to that may help.

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=659833

http://www.s10forum.com/how_to_polish_aluminum_wheels

 

Thanks for the great sites! The second one really caught my eye. Looks like I've got along way to go to get mine in that condition! ~JL