I was hopin some of you guys could help me out with polishing my aluminum wheels.. Whats the process and what would cost me less $$$. thanks

The Auto Detailing and Appearance forums have a sticky about it, there's a lot of threads on it but hte information is a little difficult to dig up if you want details and the "big picture".

Im actually in the process of doing a couple of wheels right now.

This is what all I've decided I needed:

Paint stripper
chemical gloves
sanding block
sandpaper from 150 grit to whatever you prefer, I'm going to 1000.
steel wool to take off stripped/melted paint


I would say to be on the safe side, budget around $50 for this and that. Also, it takes a LOT of time. I've spent about 3-4 hours strippign it, and about 3-4 hours sanding, and this is on just two wheels and this is how they look right now.

I've got a LOT of sanding ahead of me and a little more stripping to fix leftover paint splotches.





The spokes have only been sanded with 150 grit right now, probably go over it quickly with 150 one more time and then go up to something else.

thanks im gonna try that out but do i need to use some polishing compound after the 1000 grit or can i just use like mothers aluminum polish and the powerball?

InfernalVortex
how did you get rid of all the red paint?

I was counting on the stipper to do this.
I didn't use steel wool.
I was at the car wash so I used the high pressure hose.

I applied the stripper 3 times.

The front set got a little lighter.
But the faded red paint on the back pair were
unaffected.

Any ideas of easy what to get rid of all the built up
gunk on the back side?
The high pressure hose did little to clean that as well.

I've attempted this twice. Overall was better but one wheel is still being stubborn.

Infernal Vortex, the grey that's left on yours, that's the wheel? I mean it's not grey paint? When I was doing mine I scrubbed for 3 hours and didn't even fase it. If it's the wheel I feel like a dumba$$.

Eagle1 Mag Cleaner .. it says etching at the top. It's nasty nasty stuff.. but it cleans the wheels real good. I wouldn't recommend it for clear coated or polished wheels, but since you're trying to clean everything up it should work good now... just don't use it after you polish or you'll have to go back and clean up again with the final grade of sand paper or buffing compound.

I no this is an old thread but I have been in the process of polishing my 92 wheels but Im not having alot of luck removing the red paint on the rims. does anyone no a quick way to remove the red paint other than hours of sanding on them?

This is what i use.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/mar-...3-p-10948.aspx

This and a couple small plastic scrapers and that's all you need besides time and a water hose.

ok thanks. but can you get this stuff at any local stores like lowes or did you have to order it from that website?

I had no paint on mine, but I didn't follow the stripper direction either. I put the stripper on thick (aircraft stripper from Walmart), and I left it for an hour (not the 5 minutes they say), and then I did it again and again - about 3 times per wheel. Then, I sanded, starting with 150, and moving my way to 2000 - this sanding took me days per wheel (that right, DAYS, not hours!). I've spent the about 20 hours per wheel so far - but I've gotten in the corners, I've done the edges, and I'm no where near done, as I'd like to do the inner spokes as well (basically doing the entire outer rim). It takes ALOT of sanding to get those casting bumps worked smooth. After the 2000 grit, I use a rag with White Diamond polisher - that stuff is great! Then, I also use this at the car wash - it removes the oxidation and they really shine.

It's a ton of work, and there's no easy quick way around it. I often think about giving up (even though I'm halfway there), and spending the $400 to get them chromed.

Here's a cool article I found a while ago about this.

http://www.flashoffroad.com/features...on_wheels.html

I buy mine at advanced auto, don't need a gallon either. I use the half gallon and have some left over after 4 wheels.

ok thanks. I've spent alot of time on mine and I'm only 80% done on one of the wheels and the other three look horrible right now, but its a long process but I think the end result is well worth it, even tho I've came close to giving up multiple times myself.

I am not an expert but it seems to me that 150 grit sandpaper would really put some deep grooves into your wheels. Just my opinion but I would start with something less abrasive. It may be more work but it it seems it would be much harder to polish out.
Again, Just my opinion,

Kevin