If you want to keep them original, they were a dullish brushed finish. They look good either way. I did mine a little duller than mooser. To bright just did not look right. 
Rims question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 4
From: Belleville IL
Rims question
Newbie question here. Just trying to figure out if I can make my rims shine. I believe they are aluminum and have just oxidized. I know they are originals. I have purchased a can of Mother's aluminum polish. Do I need to just use the 'elbow grease' now? Or will I ever be able to get that mirror finish? When you look at them they almost seem to be painted gray.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Because of the oxidizing I'm guessing your wheels are NOT coated...
That being the case I have had good success using a green scotch guard pad.... wizard polish..... mag polish.....and LOTS of elbow grease....scotch guard first and just go one way, flow with the rim....just go round and round.....it goes scratch them some but you can polish most or all of it back out depending on how picky you are.........
Here is what mine look like and mine were as bad or worse than yours to start with...... I additionally taped off and painted the black......
That being the case I have had good success using a green scotch guard pad.... wizard polish..... mag polish.....and LOTS of elbow grease....scotch guard first and just go one way, flow with the rim....just go round and round.....it goes scratch them some but you can polish most or all of it back out depending on how picky you are.........
Here is what mine look like and mine were as bad or worse than yours to start with...... I additionally taped off and painted the black......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
I read in here somewhere that a guy was polishing his wheels.... Car was on stands... He started it and let the rear wheels turn at idle !!! Not a OSHA approved procedure though....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
You want to see so death traps, google something like DIY rim polishing and check out some of the videos' out there. There's a few that make Bubba look like Captain Safety
But in all seriousness, Flitz makes a product called aluminum pre-clean or (something like that) it must be some sort of a very weak acid, spray it on, let sit, scrub, whatever, follow their directions.
It'll do great getting rid of the oxide/gunk/etc prior to starting to polish.
Count on having to touch up the paint in the center and slots
Not quite as bad as yours
Went for a bright / satin look
Mooser
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I used 1500 followed by 2000 grit wet/dry (WET) then switched over to aluminum polish and finished up with Nevrdull as a final rub. Mine all looked like the one on the right when I started. They had some pretty serious stains on them and the photo below makes them look better than they did in person. Very dull looking when I started.
Adam
Adam
Last edited by AdamMeh; Apr 6, 2012 at 12:48 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA
I work for a trucking company. We use "Fleet Bright" on our wheels. As a pre wash. It has a asid in it. You can get it at some large truck parts houses. It will take the oxedation off. Then buff it out "Metal Bright". Or Mothers Works good. If you want to do it by hand.
Out trucks go off road often as they haul construction equipment. And they can trash the finish on the Aulm quickly. We have 14 costom built Peterbilt. And the owner wants the looking good.
Out trucks go off road often as they haul construction equipment. And they can trash the finish on the Aulm quickly. We have 14 costom built Peterbilt. And the owner wants the looking good.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
I use Alumapolish [IMG]
[/IMG]
You can buy it from Alumaclear.com ,its great stuff and the shine lasts a long time.Here in Hawaii I need a product that lasts.
Before:[IMG]
[/IMG]
After:
[/IMG]You can buy it from Alumaclear.com ,its great stuff and the shine lasts a long time.Here in Hawaii I need a product that lasts.
Before:[IMG]
[/IMG]After:
Last edited by iokepakai; Apr 6, 2012 at 02:32 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
If you want them to glow like chrome, you'll have to put some work into polishing them. But, you will probably be amazed at how much better they look if you just rub a little Mother's into them and wipe it off.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
If the tires are off you can use myriatic acid and water. Wear glasses and good rubber gloves in a well ventilated area. After that, clean them then polish away.
Once you have them polished you can clean them off with something like rubbing alcohol or ammonia. this will remove any excess polish. When try you can then clear coat them with the spray can stuff that you can get from auto parts suppliers. That will prevent them from getting dirty and keep the shine longer.
Once you have them polished you can clean them off with something like rubbing alcohol or ammonia. this will remove any excess polish. When try you can then clear coat them with the spray can stuff that you can get from auto parts suppliers. That will prevent them from getting dirty and keep the shine longer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Does polished aluminum peel or crack like chrome? I don't think it does but I want to confirm. If you can get aluminum to shine like chrome, but you never have the issue of cracking over time, then why would anyone ever buy a chrome wheel?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Some people like chrome, some do not. Simply a matter of preference.
Last edited by Paul L; Apr 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM.