Have a set a 86 16" Trans Am wheels (the ones with the lip on them) and I read through the polishing threads and it was very helpfull..But everyone's wheels seemed to be a great shape compared to mine, mine are all pitted and chalky where the clear coat peeled off so will 180 grit get rid of this? I will be doing this by hand over the winter so I have lots of time.

 

180 grit should take all the pits out or you can go lower to like 100 or 80 and that should be able to smooth them out a lil faster. I'm working on smoothing a set of camaro rs rims that way.

 

just jack up back of your car and mount the rims and run the car ((be sure to check coolant temps occasionally LOL )))) the start with 80/120/180/320/400 and just coat with mothers after that .. I did this on my N-24 finned wheels and they were pretty bad but shined up real nice.

80 grit will knock down anything pretty quik so watch your progress as the wheel is spinning when there are no more dull areas indicating high/low spot or imperfections then just move to another grit. 120 is a great starting grit for this method however if it doesnt work quikly then use 80grit. after 400 grit it's up to you if you want more shine. I could have had fully polished look but choose to stop at 400 because I liked that shine.

here is my thread on it.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...ull-wheel.html

 

I have all winter so I don't mind sitting down and spending a day on a wheel when I have nothing better to do..(that's what I did with my Z28 wheel's) I thought about using the clearcoat stripper first, but I wasn't sure which grit would get rid of the pitted stuff after the stripper did it's thing. Luckily the rim is nice and flat so it shouldn't be a big deal. 80 grit sounds really harsh to use...I know I would be moving up with each grit and all but it sounds harsh.

 

80 wont hurt them. It's aggressive yes just watch what your doing. If you try 120-180 will take long time to get the pits out.

 

rite on..thanks