Wheel cleaner ideas?

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Mar 20, 2016 | 11:49 AM

billschroeder5842

Thread Starter

Zen Vet Master Level VII

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 5,218

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From: Southlake, TX

Wheel cleaner ideas?

Anyone have a easy way to clean up the aluminum wheels?

I have the factory ones and they are a bit streaky and a bit dingy. Nothing major, but I'd like to clean them up.

Thanks!

Mar 20, 2016 | 12:54 PM

jim in oregon

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 781

Likes: 113

Quote:

Originally Posted by billschroeder5842

Anyone have a easy way to clean up the aluminum wheels?

I have the factory ones and they are a bit streaky and a bit dingy. Nothing major, but I'd like to clean them up.

Thanks!

There are a number of spray on wipe off cleaners for aluminum wheels.
Most require a bit og elbow grease using a softer scotchbrite pad..
I's easiest to do with the wheels off the car of course..and at waist height..A small pad of 0000 steel wool wetted with the wheel cleaner helps on the badder streaks..but go gently..jim

Mar 20, 2016 | 01:25 PM

Rcdizy

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 169

Likes: 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim in oregon

I know of a wheel refinishing shop that said they put them on a tire changing machine.., and hold a buffer to the wheel while the machine is rotating. To get an even finish.

Sounds easier than trying to do it yourself.....

Mar 21, 2016 | 11:05 AM

REELAV8R

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 6,284

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From: Hermosa

I started with steel wool. single 0 then up to #000. May need some sand paper maybe 220 to 400 grit or so if you have any deep scratches, I recommend wet sanding over dry.
Then after the sand paper and the steel wool I went with Mothers mag and aluminum polish. How much you polish will determine the level of shine you get.
It is a lot easier polishing with something powered vs by hand.

http://www.autogeek.net/motmagalpol....FQmSaQodCBAIGg

http://www.walmart.com/ip/15137628?w...818072&veh=sem

Last edited by REELAV8R; Mar 21, 2016 at 11:05 AM.

Mar 21, 2016 | 01:30 PM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.

Royal Canadian Navy

Never Dull and elbow grease is a good combo.

Mar 21, 2016 | 11:56 PM

Sunstroked

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,071

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From: S Nevada

If you want a really fantastic looking job, there are polishing shops that will really make them pop. If they are corroded, it's going to be a lot of work on your part with the above mentioned post #4. For light work, I bought a power cone kit from mothers. Attaches to your drill and does a great job for quickly detailing my polished aluminum cragars. And other polished parts in my engine bay. A tip, take general purpose baking flour, dip a rag into it and wipe off the black residue on the part.

Mar 22, 2016 | 06:33 PM

news2me

Racer

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 322

Likes: 11

From: Staten Island New York

When I got my 77' the wheels looked like hell. I picked up a can of Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. Mothers also makes a Polishing wheel, its about the size of a baseball and it goes on a drill. I put the Mothers Polish on my wheels and rubbed it out with the Polish Wheel and the drill. They look 100 times better then before..