Polishing inner wheel barrel???
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Toque:
Thanks so much for the info. I have discovered the "joy" of sandpaper with my restoration too. I actually went all the way up to 5000, and then I used heavy-duty compound, then light-duty compound, and then Mothers Mag and Wheel Polish. I'm not "married" to the Mothers but I did read a review where it was rated very highly against some others. They all had good points, and I happened to have some already in my shed, so I used it and then bought some more to finish the project. I will definitely try the Adams, and I most assuredly will get me some Webril wipes! By the way, do you put any type of wax on your rims after you polish just to add another layer of protection, whether it be a polymer wax (like Nu-Finish) or a paste wax? FWIW, I love the Collinite Marquis De Elegance paste wax -- I put 3 coats on before winter sets in, and it's still smooth as glass 7 months later.
Thanks so much for the info. I have discovered the "joy" of sandpaper with my restoration too. I actually went all the way up to 5000, and then I used heavy-duty compound, then light-duty compound, and then Mothers Mag and Wheel Polish. I'm not "married" to the Mothers but I did read a review where it was rated very highly against some others. They all had good points, and I happened to have some already in my shed, so I used it and then bought some more to finish the project. I will definitely try the Adams, and I most assuredly will get me some Webril wipes! By the way, do you put any type of wax on your rims after you polish just to add another layer of protection, whether it be a polymer wax (like Nu-Finish) or a paste wax? FWIW, I love the Collinite Marquis De Elegance paste wax -- I put 3 coats on before winter sets in, and it's still smooth as glass 7 months later.
It would be a good idea to wax the wheels after to try to seal them somewhat.
Its a lot of work doing the entire wheel by hand (sanding).
But its work that I really enjoy doing.
Toque
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 13
From: West Deptford NJ
Stripped clear coat, sanded and polished.
Adams Polish #1 and #2 works well for me also. I use sheets of synthetic micro-flannel or micro-fleece purchased at a local fabric store to final polish these wheels. The stock thin spoke is pressure cast aluminum, not billet aluminum like the CCW wheels. Stock thin spokes are very touchy to polish, the polishing cloth is a critical part of the final polishing proceedure. The gray " Metal Polishing Microfiber Cloths" from Autozone work very well and do not leave any swirl marks for wiping down between polishings and are nice as well for polish removal. I do not use any wax or sealant, just polish once or twice a year. I do not drive this car in the rain at all. I also rarely wash my car, usually just before pulling the wheels for polishing.
Last edited by jlaw1313@comcast.net; Nov 21, 2014 at 12:04 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
Adam's metal polish has a two-step process, each in its own bottle of course. I'd strongly suggest getting both the Metal Polish and the Metal Polish #2 for the brightest shine. The Metal Polish alone does a great job, but when you add that second step it becomes mirror-like. 
Adam really should be paying me a fee for promotional consideration...
Adam really should be paying me a fee for promotional consideration...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 1
From: Clanton Al
I use the method black sedan 87 recommended for a normal wash. I have a paint stick.
I take some solution with me when I have the oil changed and the tires balanced. While the guys have the car jacked up, the tires/wheels off, I clean the tires real well. I do what I can to stay out of the way, and the shop manager doesn't mind me being back there with them.
I take some solution with me when I have the oil changed and the tires balanced. While the guys have the car jacked up, the tires/wheels off, I clean the tires real well. I do what I can to stay out of the way, and the shop manager doesn't mind me being back there with them.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
Stripped clear coat, sanded and polished.
Adams Polish #1 and #2 works well for me also. I use sheets of synthetic micro-flannel or micro-fleece purchased at a local fabric store to final polish these wheels. The stock thin spoke is pressure cast aluminum, not billet aluminum like the CCW wheels. Stock thin spokes are very touchy to polish, the polishing cloth is a critical part of the final polishing proceedure. The gray " Metal Polishing Microfiber Cloths" from Autozone work very well and do not leave any swirl marks for wiping down between polishings and are nice as well for polish removal. I do not use any wax or sealant, just polish once or twice a year. I do not drive this car in the rain at all. I also rarely wash my car, usually just before pulling the wheels for polishing.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
I use the method black sedan 87 recommended for a normal wash. I have a paint stick.
I take some solution with me when I have the oil changed and the tires balanced. While the guys have the car jacked up, the tires/wheels off, I clean the tires real well. I do what I can to stay out of the way, and the shop manager doesn't mind me being back there with them.
I take some solution with me when I have the oil changed and the tires balanced. While the guys have the car jacked up, the tires/wheels off, I clean the tires real well. I do what I can to stay out of the way, and the shop manager doesn't mind me being back there with them.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 13
From: West Deptford NJ
Gorgeous job! I will probably switch over to the Adams from the Mother's polish that I currently have too. I'll also give the Metal Polishing Microfiber Cloths" from AutoZone a test drive too (thanks for the tip). It may be a little more work (stripping and polishing the rims) but it's such a HUGE upgrade from the stock appearance. Minimal cost and fantastic results. Thanks for sharing!!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 510
Likes: 67
From: Weeki Wachee Fl.
This is what works the best for me on my CCW's. I use a sponge that seems to be about the right density cut into 2x3x1" pieces to apply Adams metal polish. I'm able to polish one wheel per sponge without leaving all the polish oxidation residue left behind on the wheel. Most of the oxidation and polish residue stays on the sponge. It saves a lot Webril wipes and micro rags and a lot of mess. When I get a wheel done I just throw the sponge in a bucket of warm water with Dawn and grab fresh sponge for the next wheel. I'm able to reuse over many times. Able to wipe the wheels down with one soft micro towel.
Last edited by Cubman; Nov 25, 2014 at 07:42 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 5
This is what works the best for me on my CCW's. I use a sponge that seems to be about the right density cut into 2x3x1" pieces to apply Adams metal polish. I'm able to polish one wheel per sponge without leaving all the polish oxidation residue left behind on the wheel. Most of the oxidation and polish residue stays on the sponge. It saves a lot Webril wipes and micro rags and a lot of mess. When I get a wheel done I just throw the sponge in a bucket of warm water with Dawn and grab fresh sponge for the next wheel. I'm able to reuse over many times. Able to wipe the wheels down with one soft micro towel.
