What is best way to clean crud off the inner barrels on aluminum wheels?
04-24-2008, 03:55 PM
#21
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Anytime I can get a machine to do the dirty work, I am all for it! Great idea, buddy!
04-24-2008, 03:57 PM
#22
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Anything you hit with something as abrasive as steele wool, will never "stay" clean.
Not sure if your wheels are cleared, or if you already are through the clear coat and the stuff has eaten into the aluminum.
If thats the case, you probably should polish em to as near perfection as you can and then have the barrels recleared at a body shop.
If you are not through the clear on them, try not to use an abrasive. Once you get them clean, wax em (treat clear coated finishes as you would any other painted surface on the car) and they should stay pretty good.
Not sure if your wheels are cleared, or if you already are through the clear coat and the stuff has eaten into the aluminum.
If thats the case, you probably should polish em to as near perfection as you can and then have the barrels recleared at a body shop.
If you are not through the clear on them, try not to use an abrasive. Once you get them clean, wax em (treat clear coated finishes as you would any other painted surface on the car) and they should stay pretty good.
I should have stated: my centers are clearcoated, but the rims are polished aluminum. So, I have both conditions, but only the polished area has the dirty crud...I think I will post some pics to clarify this....I like Josh's idea too of using a machine to remove the crud.
04-25-2008, 12:32 AM
#23
I should have stated: my centers are clearcoated, but the rims are polished aluminum. So, I have both conditions, but only the polished area has the dirty crud...I think I will post some pics to clarify this....I like Josh's idea too of using a machine to remove the crud.
3M PAINT&RUST STRIPPING PAD 9099
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Last edited by PaceThis; 04-25-2008 at 12:34 AM.
04-25-2008, 12:37 AM
#24
I used it on non clearcoated inner barrels on HRE Aluminum wheels and had no problems, though you should always exercise your best judgement. You should be fine if you apply firm pressure and continue as soon as the area is clear of grime (which takes very little time). You can probably do all 4 in an hour or less and have them looking like new.
NOTE TO EVERYONE ELSE: Using this on the face of polished aluminum wheels will remove the polish from the finish and they would have to be repolished back to a shine. I use this technique only for the inner portions of my wheels, or to completely strip the paint before refinishing as necessary.
Best of lucK!
Josh
NOTE TO EVERYONE ELSE: Using this on the face of polished aluminum wheels will remove the polish from the finish and they would have to be repolished back to a shine. I use this technique only for the inner portions of my wheels, or to completely strip the paint before refinishing as necessary.
Best of lucK!
Josh
lets see what other Ideas I get
.
04-25-2008, 12:40 AM
#26
Also, as mentioned above, they could be clearcoated if you'd like to keep them easier to clean once done. However, this is easily a DIY project with spray paint in clear finish (Duplicolor makes a heavy duty clear for wheels at about $5/can - you'd need 1-2 cans for a set of wheels). Mask what you don't want done and spray in medium, even coats.
04-25-2008, 01:40 AM
#27
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simple green, than scotch brite followed by adams #1 and #2 metal polish. coat with zoopseal and nothing will stick to it again. This is only if bare aluminum, not a clearcoat.
11-13-2017, 10:41 AM
#28
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corroded? inner chromed wheels
How best to clean, restore, preserve? What to use? or simply ignore?
I assume taking wheels off is only good way to get to the rough surface.
11-13-2017, 11:44 AM
#29
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Doug - try posting your question in the Car Care Section. If the answer wasn't in the previous posts in this thread, bringing back a nearly 10 year old thread is not a good way to go.
