Aluminum wheel question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 442
Likes: 3
From: Kingsport TN
Aluminum wheel question
I have noticed that on most 78 - 82 vettes that the aluminum alloy wheels have a shine that almost allows you to see yourself, but every now and then I see a set of wheels that appear to be made from different material. They have more of white shine rather than a mirror look. Can anyone explain the difference?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Re: Aluminum wheel question (jwatty)
That might be because some are polished aluminum and others are brushed aluminum, I don't know if chevy had them polished of the assembly line but I've seen a lot of them like that.
Paul
Paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Aluminum wheel question (jwatty)
The white ones are just oxidized! Mine were white as ghosts, until I bought some Mothers Aluminum and Chrome polish. Now I can use them as a mirror. The aluminum will get dull after about a year in the sun.
I don't think the factory actually "polished" them, but new aluminum has the mirror finish on them. But if the wheels had been sitting for a year or so, then the dealer's detail person would polish them up before displaying them on the lot.
I don't think the factory actually "polished" them, but new aluminum has the mirror finish on them. But if the wheels had been sitting for a year or so, then the dealer's detail person would polish them up before displaying them on the lot.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Aluminum wheel question (inferno-vette)
The '80 - '82 and pace car wheels have a silver/chrome center and a higher polish on them than the earlier wheels do. The '79 and earlier alloys have a black center, the others are chrome.
The pace car wheel also has a red pinstripe
The pace car wheel also has a red pinstripe
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Ny
Re: Aluminum wheel question (jwatty)
I always wondered the same thing! I want mine shiny! When I bought my car they look dull so i guess mothers polish will do it. But I did try some polish last year and it didn't work well... I know it was mothers but I don't know exactly what...my wheels do look liek brushed aluminum rather than shiny...thanks for some ideas
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
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From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Aluminum wheel question (Wightnite)
More often than not on 80-82 wheels a whitish cast is due to the clear coat gone bad. To get that shine back the clear coat has to come off. :smash:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Re: Aluminum wheel question (jwatty)
Mine have been chromed. A lot easier to take care of than aluminum.. but then again when my 17" hopsters come in I'll have to take care of lots of aluminum then :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
Re: Aluminum wheel question (paul79)
if your wheels are really ,really oxidized, try some 00 or 000 steel wheel to cut thru the oxidized stuff and then try mother's mag polish. i tried some rubbing compound a few yrs ago and found it cut thru the white layer but didn't shine the aluminum,kind of dulled it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 240
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From: kennett square,pa,us
Re: Aluminum wheel question (jwatty)
The aluminum wheels started in 76 and were a natural aluminum finish that was then clear coated. They later ones were polished, I am not sure when it started, but I think 78 was the first year.
You will probably have to strip off the clear coat, then polish them, and then have them recoated to avoid having to due it again.
You will probably have to strip off the clear coat, then polish them, and then have them recoated to avoid having to due it again.
