I am in the process of polishing 91-92 Camaro rims. I am at 800 grit sandpaper. This is what's happening. Some spokes are silver appearing and dull and some on the same rim are reflective. Then some spots are this way at different angles. Will this go away as I progress further or do I need to start over again? I have all the way up to 2000 grit. What size do you go to to see your reflection in? Thanks

 

Anything above 400 won't remove scratches. If I recall 800 removes orange peel, I skipped that grit on one wheel. I couldn't see reflection until I actually put the polish on. I found the 3M Aluminum Restorer before polishing works very well.

Be sure to wetsand with 1500 that helps a lot. I used WD-40 to make sure the surface was completely lubricated.

 

Thanks Mark. I just started on 800 so I will see what it will do. Did you apply the polish by hand or buffer? I am just running the hose over the rim while I am sanding it. Is it easier with the wd40?

 

Yeah, I would follow through with all the grits recommended in the tech articles and not skip any. Even though it may seem like it is not helping, it is getting some of the fine scratches and marks left by the previous grits. Definitely apply the aluminium restorer it helps a lot. Apply it by hand because using a buffer may "burn" the metal. It is better in my opinion to use wd-40 when wetsanding because it provides better lubrication, but if as long as you have steady flow of water that works perfectly fine also.

 

I dont' think there is any point in going over 400grit wet. I just doesn't work as well in my opoinion.

 

I have a 91 camaro z28 and i polished all of my wheels. and yes it takes a long time. I first started out with aircraft remover and removed all of the clearcoat finish. Then i used 400 grit to get all the factory machine lines out. then go to 600, 1000, and finally, 2000 grit. then i usually polish and then go over with 2000 again. then polish a few more times and everything should be fine. the polish i use is blue magic for like 5 buks at pep boys. good luck!

email me at Mackatallica@yahoo.com

sincerely,

Mackenzie P.

 

You started with 400 to ge the machined grooves out? That must have taken forever! I started at 80 and that took a while.

Any pics of your rims?

 

Where did you find that 3m Restorer ? I cant find it anywhere.

 

I got it at Wal-Mart, Autozone also has it.

 

Maybe not all of them carry it... I tried Wal-Mart, Autozone, and Pep Boys and never found it. I didn't use it and my rims came out pretty good. I still want to go over them with 1500 wet and maybe 2000 wet though.

 

Did you try Wal-Mart in the boating supplies? That is where it will be if they have it. I know that seems like an odd place, but that is because it is used primarily on marinbe applications.

 

I did notice the papers over 600 grit taking out the
remaining scratches. I also noticed that if you sand in one
direction on one spoke and the other direction on another
one can look dull and the other can look shiny. I would continue
going through the grits then polish and the whole wheel should
be reflective. My rims didn't look reflective even after 2000 grit,
until I polished and then they looked like a mirror. By the way I
polished by hand for the best results.

 

I just started using 1000 grit today. So i will see what happens next. It should turn out good. Just time consuming.

 

I live in El Paso Texas,( a desert town) I don't think the walmart here sells boating supplies... Sadly, I cannot even find any sand paper over 450 grit !!! Not at Walmart, nor autozone, nor any of the places you would expect to find it... not even at freakin hardware stores. If anyone knows where I could get these things online, I would be most grateful.

 

I know that Advanced Auto Parts sells up to 1500 grit 3M paper,
because that is where I got mine. I think they have a web site
where they sell stuff on line. I found the 2000 grit paper at a small
local shop so you could try there if you have a shop in town. Also,
if you know any body shops in town you could ask them where
they get theirs or if you can purchase some through them. They
should have some up to 2000 grit for wet sanding. Good luck
finding what you need.

 

I got all but 2000 at advanced auto parts and got the 2000 at autozone. Try that place too.

 

don't have any advanced auto parts here... guess i'll have to hit the body shops..