Anyone have techniques they can share on the proper polishing of the 3rd gen cross laced wheel lips? I've got two sets I'd like to polish up - getting the centers blasted & repainted now.

 

wet sand with progressively finer paper to at least 2000 grit. use an aluminum polishing compound with either the wool buffer or the mother's polishing ball (I prefer the wool).

after polishing use a wheel wax to protect the shine and finish from corrosion and fading.

Do not be afraid to start sanding with a coarser grit if needed, but if yours have been blasted you may be able to start with 400 or higher.

 

Good advice from NAF. If you will use the materials he mentioned....and with your rear end jacked up and the car in drive, your wheels will be spinning like a lathe. Just touch and hold the paper to the wheel for an awesome refinish! Be careful though, getting your fingers too close to the laces hurts so you will want to use the sand paper around a sponge. Also make sure the car is supported well with jack stands...well...you know why lol.

 

Something I would do differently than NAF, not that what he is telling you is wrong, its good advice, but since you are having the centers blasted and then painted, I would clear coat the entire setup when finished. Lips and all. That will make your finish more durable and much easier to care for afterward. Soap and water is all you will need for future care. Allot of machined aluminum wheels are clear coated these days with special instructions NOT to polish with any chemicals but to use only mild soap and water. Here is an example. I just bought these last week. They are clear coated machined aluminum.

 

Eastwood has a clear coat specifically designed for wheels. I have not used it but have had good success with other Eastwood products.

 

To DonW: what do you think about soda blasting the whole wheel? I know it might be slightly dull but is it possible to buff them after blasting and then clear coat? Just thinking about doing mine now.

 

Mine cleaned up pretty good with 3M Adhesive Remover and I left them the way they were. If I went too nice and polished them up, they wouldn't match the rest of the car.

 

I am soooo jealous!

Great car, great trailer and friggin amazing garage/shop area!

the wheels look pretty good too! LOL