Repolishing wheels
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Shreve Ohio
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro z28
Engine: 350 bored 40 over carbed
Transmission: 700r4 with B&M hard shift kit
Axle/Gears: posi
Repolishing wheels
Well guys i just bought an 82 and well the wheels werent taking care of and well now they are all dull and stuff but they dont have rust or any bad spots. ing
Now onto the question.
How do you repolish the wheels without taking it to someone and paying an arm and a leg to get them redone? thank you
Also we should make this a sticky if it takes off there aint no thread about this in the section.
Now onto the question.
How do you repolish the wheels without taking it to someone and paying an arm and a leg to get them redone? thank you
Also we should make this a sticky if it takes off there aint no thread about this in the section.
#2
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Pekin, IL
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Formula, 79 Trans Am, 72 LeMans
Engine: 305 TPI, 6.6, 350 Pontiac
Transmission: T5, 3 speed, TH350
Re: Repolishing wheels
What I did on my old 89 (had the 91/92 16 inch wheels) was...
1. Took aircraft paint stripper to the rims to remove the factory clear coat, let the clear "curl" up for a couple minutes and take a hose and rinse the clear off, comes off easily.
2. I then took 600 grit sandpaper and soapy water and sanded out any imperfections in the metal. May need to step down in grit for heavier scratches.
3. Now that the any light scratches are out, take 800 grit sandpaper and water to it followed by 1000, 1200, 1500, and then 2000 grit wet. This takes forever but its worth it. Figure 2-3 hours per wheel.
4. Then take some Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish to the wheel either by hand (takes awhile but it works) or with a Mothers Powerball and watch the metal shine up!
5. If you want to paint the inside of the spokes, mask off the wheel and paint the spokes.
Its pretty easy to do, just very very very time consuming, and your hand will have blisters and be sore for awhile, but the results are worth it. I will be doing this again on my factory 15 inch RS wheels (though not much to polish, should look nice)
1. Took aircraft paint stripper to the rims to remove the factory clear coat, let the clear "curl" up for a couple minutes and take a hose and rinse the clear off, comes off easily.
2. I then took 600 grit sandpaper and soapy water and sanded out any imperfections in the metal. May need to step down in grit for heavier scratches.
3. Now that the any light scratches are out, take 800 grit sandpaper and water to it followed by 1000, 1200, 1500, and then 2000 grit wet. This takes forever but its worth it. Figure 2-3 hours per wheel.
4. Then take some Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish to the wheel either by hand (takes awhile but it works) or with a Mothers Powerball and watch the metal shine up!
5. If you want to paint the inside of the spokes, mask off the wheel and paint the spokes.
Its pretty easy to do, just very very very time consuming, and your hand will have blisters and be sore for awhile, but the results are worth it. I will be doing this again on my factory 15 inch RS wheels (though not much to polish, should look nice)
#3
Banned
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
For easy lip sanding & polishing, jack up the rear of your car, put it in Drive/1st & let the wheels spin at idle.
Then the wheel is doing all the moving, not your hand.
Then the wheel is doing all the moving, not your hand.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Pekin, IL
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Formula, 79 Trans Am, 72 LeMans
Engine: 305 TPI, 6.6, 350 Pontiac
Transmission: T5, 3 speed, TH350
Re: Repolishing wheels
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Shreve Ohio
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro z28
Engine: 350 bored 40 over carbed
Transmission: 700r4 with B&M hard shift kit
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
thank u now just gotta get them off and try it
i'v never heard of the use of airplane paint stripper but good idea
whats the price on the paint stripper?
i'v never heard of the use of airplane paint stripper but good idea
whats the price on the paint stripper?
#7
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Pekin, IL
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Formula, 79 Trans Am, 72 LeMans
Engine: 305 TPI, 6.6, 350 Pontiac
Transmission: T5, 3 speed, TH350
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
16 Posts
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
If you do a there's a gazillion threads on this - just not in this section since this section is new.
#9
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hubert, NC
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 83 Z28
Engine: F-body LT1 swap
Transmission: T-56 swap
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt w/ 28 spl posi, 4.10, disks
Re: Repolishing wheels
I got a polishing kit from eastwood. Made my rims shine like they are chrome! Lots of work but worth the effort.
#10
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA.
Engine: 385 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.70 Wavetrac
Re: Repolishing wheels
Has anyone done this with gta wheels? If the aircraft stripper got on the gold paint? Would it ruin it. . ?
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Shreve Ohio
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro z28
Engine: 350 bored 40 over carbed
Transmission: 700r4 with B&M hard shift kit
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
wouldnt u just have to repaint the gold on them?
#14
Supreme Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Long Island New York
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 89 Formula 350
Engine: Forged 385 H/C/I
Transmission: 700R4-4300 Stall-lockup
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
Ive done it on my black mesh rim using a spray can of paint remover. I just used a piece of cardboard cut in a circle to cover the black mesh, then the clear coat just came off the outer aluminum ring area.
#15
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA.
Engine: 385 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.70 Wavetrac
Re: Repolishing wheels
Thanks for the input. That's actually a great idea. Did you do it with the wheels on your t/a?
#17
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edmonton, Alberta.
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA.
Engine: 385 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.70 Wavetrac
Re: Repolishing wheels
But youre rubber was on the rim? So you just cut out a cardboard circle, sprayed on the clear coat remover, then just wet sanded them and they turned out nice?
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Shreve Ohio
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro z28
Engine: 350 bored 40 over carbed
Transmission: 700r4 with B&M hard shift kit
Axle/Gears: posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
found another good way i used a air die grinder with a wire tip and that sanded it up really nicely now just waiting to get the paint stripper for the inside of the spokes i'll tell you how it goes when i finish it all up before the paint
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ambridge, PA
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 92 TA convertible
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
I did mine the same way and used the Eastwood kit. I think you''l notice a difference...... Here's a before (right) /after (left) shot.
Last edited by TimeTraveller; 12-06-2009 at 07:36 PM. Reason: additional info
#20
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
now i have question for evryone who has done this i didnt read this first and spent 8 hrs of hand sanding the clear coat off cause my paint stripper sucked. lol now i know what to do for the others but was wondering if they need to be clear coated again???? or are they fine once polished?
i also stopped at 1000grit sand paper and mine look great after 3 applications of mothers.
i also stopped at 1000grit sand paper and mine look great after 3 applications of mothers.
#21
Banned
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Repolishing wheels
Without a clear, you'll be cleaning & doing a quick polish a lot more often. Without a clear, you'll only want to clean, not re-polish.
#22
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
is there a particular product i should use to clear???
or a particular process?
or a particular process?
Last edited by white85transam; 12-22-2009 at 07:31 PM.
#23
Member
Re: Repolishing wheels
It was a little tricky brushing it on because it dries rather quickly but it is rock solid when it does dry.
#24
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
I recommend using a quality clear coat. I used this stuff from POR 15: http://www.por15.com/GLISTEN-PC/productinfo/GPCGG/
It was a little tricky brushing it on because it dries rather quickly but it is rock solid when it does dry.
It was a little tricky brushing it on because it dries rather quickly but it is rock solid when it does dry.
#25
Member
Re: Repolishing wheels
The prep came with it if I remember correctly, I think it was a kit. I used the pint for all 4 wheels. They turned out ok, not show quality because I tried to brush over areas that I thought I missed and it caused waves, which can't be seen at some angles. It is like brushing on water, hard to see what areas you've covered
#26
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
ty that sounds good. will try to find somethin local so i dont have to wait but if i cant will definitle order that stuff. thanks again
#27
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
well i couldnt find anything local so will be ordering that stuff lonesomeloser suggested. i cant wait. oh and finally located a can of aircraft stripper so hopefully will have the other three rims done in the same amount of time as the first one took thank you everyone
#28
Member
Re: Repolishing wheels
well i couldnt find anything local so will be ordering that stuff lonesomeloser suggested. i cant wait. oh and finally located a can of aircraft stripper so hopefully will have the other three rims done in the same amount of time as the first one took thank you everyone
#29
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
well i used the pc glisten and it doesnt look the greatest. i did use the prep too. does this need to be sanded? and if so where should i start?
#31
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
there are runs and some spots that didnt take the clear. can this be wet sanded with like 800 to get the runs out?
#32
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Jeffersonville, IN
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Repolishing wheels
Hey did you ever get around to sanding those rims coated in the glisten pc and re-coating them? I'm using it and I HATE the way the finish came out. The brush makes it look terrible...if I could do it again I'd definitely spray it on.
#33
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
yeah but sanding just ruins the finish. i ended up stripping it off and just going unprotected and every 3-5 months i repolish with mothers and use carnuba wax after. i dont drive my car much but it does sit outside all year round and they dont look bad.
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Jeffersonville, IN
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Repolishing wheels
Did you have to do a hardcore re-polish after you stripped the clear off or were they still pretty good and just need a touch-up?
#35
Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: newark, De
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: Repolishing wheels
no it wasnt nothing major to re do just use stripper to take off and not sand paper.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
drptop70ss
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
3
10-04-2015 09:44 PM