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So I keep seeing C3’s with shinny rim’s so I thought I might spend the day giving my rim’s a cleaning.
So I pulled them off and power washed them to get all the brake dust and gunk off.
I then purchased Mothers Mag Aluminum polish and a Power ball. I clean the entire wheel and it got a cleaner but not what I was expecting. I then clean the same ¼ of the wheel 5 times and I didn’t see any difference.
I finally read the back of the polish and it said if you don’t see any change it’s probably because the wheel is made of a material that can’t be polished.
Your wheels might be clear-coated. When using the mothers polish on un-coated aluminum, your rag should turn grayish after rubbing on the aluminum for a few seconds. If it doesn't then your wheels have clearcoat on them.
Your wheels might be clear-coated. When using the mothers polish on un-coated aluminum, your rag should turn grayish after rubbing on the aluminum for a few seconds. If it doesn't then your wheels have clearcoat on them.
Yep! bare aluminum will react to the cleaner pretty quick. Just did mine a few weeks ago and the rag (and my fingers) turned jet black.
My TT II's (aluminum) became really dull this summer after getting caught in rain. I talked to Meguiar's at Carlisle and they sold me a tube of medium cut metal polish and finishing polish. My wheels came out great. I used my hands at first, then used one of those attachments for my drill. I can't believe the difference. I was ready to have them proferssionally done, but I was able to do the job myself in less than 2 hours.
Yep! bare aluminum will react to the cleaner pretty quick. Just did mine a few weeks ago and the rag (and my fingers) turned jet black.
Yes - black means you are polishing the bare metal. If the rag is not turning black, it means you are trying to polish a layer of clear coat, and ironically the metal polish will make the clear coat appear even more dull - it's like taking metal polish to the paint on your car. Not good.
You may have to remove the clear coat - not that hard to do with a stripper sold at many auto parts stores. Spray on, wash off with scrub pads.
Once a year, usually in the fall after I park the car. I pull the wheels and polish them over the winter. Just use a carwash brush and soap on them the rest of the year.
Auto-sol is awesome! Kind of hard to find but probably the best metal polish I have ever used. When I had a Harley I tried just about everything until I came across Auto-sol.
You could clear them again if that's your preference. If you don't, you will have to polish them from time to time, but it sure beats that dull / worn looking coating. It's a preference thing - I happen to like the look of them polished up.
If you decide to clear them again, you will need to make sure they are VERY, VERY clean, or the clear will just fisheye like crazy from the polishes, dust etc.
Ok this is what I did
I bought a used set of wheels for $200. Dull & needed some real love, I wet sanded the wheels to a smooth finish, than polished with a drill until bright shine.
they look great
This August
March this year lowered front raised rear since this pic
When a C4 was my DD the clear coated wheels started to look dull/peel. Removing the clear coat chemically wasn't that difficult. Polishing up nicely and didn't need much care afterwards even though it remained my DD.
I'm sold... Added to my "to do list." I have NEW tires. other than masking off my tires, any reason not to do this with the tires on?
Hate to spend $100.00 to remove and re-install.
No you can still do it with the tires mounted, I was replacing the rims that the PO put on and I was putting on new tires so it made a little easier for me to polish the rims edges before I installed the new tires.
Don't get me wrong this is not a 5 min. job. In order for me to get them to shine like mirrors I spent approximately 2 hours on each rim. I started with to 1000 grit wet sandpaper until I got all the clear off and then I finished the rim off with 2000 grit wet sandpaper to get all the imperfections out of the aluminum. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours on each rim.
I've had people at car shows asked me if they were chromed
These were the old rims......And yes I know they scream "The 80's"
09-13-2015, 11:43 PM
Polishing Stock Wheels
