79 alluminum wheels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
79 alluminum wheels
Were these wheels originally this dull looking? 
I've noticed the early 80's seem to shine like chrome.
Will these Mothers, Blingmasters etc. polishes do anything for this?
"Man I need some shine"
Thanks ED
I've noticed the early 80's seem to shine like chrome.
Will these Mothers, Blingmasters etc. polishes do anything for this?
"Man I need some shine"
Thanks ED
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
The wheels on my '77 were dull originally. I used sand paper to even out scratches and scotch brite pads to get a uniform finish. Then polished with mothers aluminum polish. You can use a polish pad on a drill motor but be careful around sharp edges as it can dig in and jump around a bit. I like the polished look much better. There are some threads on the forum about others ideas. Good luck, mds...
Last edited by mds3013; Sep 28, 2009 at 02:12 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
there is nothing magical to polishing aluminum other then lots of hard work and sore fingers......i used all of what everyone else said and 2000 grit wet sand paper and then a buffing wheel.....lots of work the good side is that once youhave the nice shine the maintenance is not as bad as the work to get it there
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Buy the mushroom and facer buffing set for your drill from Eastwood along with some of their fine buffing compound. After you get the wheels almost looking like chrome switch to Mothers polishing compound. Mothers polishing ball works well for finishing and is quick when you want to do a little touch after washing.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The wheels from 77-79 were not clear coated nor were they polished to a high luster. Starting in 1980 GM put clear coating on the higher polished wheels to protect the finish.
I’ve always put clear over the earlier design wheels after polishing them for the same reason. They won’t look factory but they will come to life.
Willcox
I’ve always put clear over the earlier design wheels after polishing them for the same reason. They won’t look factory but they will come to life.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I didn't go in to much detail on this but I used to take an old cloth buffing pad and some compound for a final buff. It will eat you alive but it will make quick work out of putting a polish on the wheels.
How long will the clear stay on will depend on what you use.
Willcox
How long will the clear stay on will depend on what you use.
Willcox
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