Ok so I read metallicamaro's article on polishing, but I'm still kinda stumped. I have polished ZR1 wheels. After the usual cleaning and applied mothers polish I can still see blemishes. It looks like water spots that just will not go away. Also looks as if the wheels are getting duller no matter how much I polish. I've heard that polished aluminum anodizes. Is this true? If so how do I correct it?

 

Oxidize, not anodize ...at least I think that's right..HA, anyhow...


...You have to break out the polishing compounds to do it "right". If you're not an expert, it can be a pain. I've found that once they've been done right, (mine have), I can hit the blemishes with a 1500 grit wetsand, and then hit it with the mothers. This does NOT do quite as good a job, but I'd say it's about 95% as good, and it takes me a quarter of the time.

This pic is after 400/600/1000 grit wetsand, and then the compounds ending in the white rouge. I don't remember the exact order of the others off the top of my head, but it's in Metallicamaro's thread.

No one can tell the difference between the correct way, and the "quickie" method as I call it. I also think that had a lot to do with how thorough I was the first time.

...there are some waterspots on the rim, no blemishes.

 

Oxidize.......yeah thats what I meant Sweet, thanks for the info. Looks like I have my work cut out for me. Your wheels are what mine used to look like.

 

On my fuel rails, I have used Eagle One's wadding cloth followed by Mothers to touch up the polishing job and it seems to work pretty good. Haven't messed with my rims though, since I need to redo them anyway (I've been saying I'm gonna redo them and paint them for about a year now )