Polishing Bare Aluminum Rims

[Bad_S55]

I got my '08 GT500 rims media blasted a couple weeks back, and I'm getting ready to polish them so I can get tires mounted. The thing is, I've never polished wheels before & am kind of at a loss for where to start. There's a ton of information about polishing, but nothing for completely bare, media blasted aluminum. The guy from Meguiar's help line said to use medium cut polish(?) and a high speed polisher. What would you all do? What kind of pads, polisher, polishes, etc. Thanks!

[lji372]

I would have spent $700 and had them pvd'd.

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[RubberCtyRauder]

You will need various grits of wet paper and rouge and tripoli compounds and various wool, and sisal buffing wheels

[FastMerc]

You will have to multi step the process. I use to own a metal finishing shop. Did wheels a lot if you have A da sander saves a lot multiple grit paper and compounds. Are you sure its aluminium and not Magnesium? Then diff compounds to polish it out.

[RubberCtyRauder]

http://www.swmetal.com/category-s/1865.htm

[88CuttyClassic]

I had bare aluminum rims once...... Once was enough for me. Bless your soul man!

[Bad_S55]

You will have to multi step the process. I use to own a metal finishing shop. Did wheels a lot if you have A da sander saves a lot multiple grit paper and compounds. Are you sure its aluminium and not Magnesium? Then diff compounds to polish it out.

Yeah, I've never heard of Ford using magnesium for factory rims.


http://www.swmetal.com/category-s/1865.htm

This is awesome, thanks.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I think the Shelby cobras from the 60's used magnesium for rims . A lot of magnesium parts have gone by the way side now due to EPA and the casting process used. A lot if parts used to be magnesium for its weight and strength

[FastMerc]

Yes Shelby used Mag and also Gourney Cougars had them as well so did the Pantera it has a slight blue to it when done very nice.

[Thenwhat85]

It's a pita J polished my dirt bike frame(looked beautiful) but would never do it again. It is labor intensive. I want to polish my rim also. I called around its about 200 a rim to polish. So I powdercoated all four for 300 instead

[sflrainmaker01]

I am currently "polishing" or "restoring" a set of Mach1 replica wheels for my 1993 Mustang Yellow Feature Lx Convertible. The clear was peeling horribly. So, I stripped the clear off with 400 dry sandpaper. Then, I wet sanded the wheels with 400, 600, 800 then 1200 grit. That left me with a nice "machined" finish. I had a couple more beers and decided to go all out and continue the madness with some wet sanding using 1500, then 2000 grit sandpaper. ALL BY HAND. Then, I put some compound on the cordless and did a round followed by some polishing with some Meguiars Fine Cut #7. Last, I put on a coat of wax and the damn wheels look like chrome!!!!

FYI, I have never done this before, but, I am on my third wheel and so far they have turned out amazing. I'd post some pics but my pic space is mostly used up.....:rolleyes:

[MMBLUE]

I would have spent $700 and had them pvd'd.

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YUP :rock:

[STEPS]

if it where me I would take them to a professional get them polished and clear coated

[Marauderjack]

if it where me I would take them to a professional get them polished and clear coated

^^^+10^^^ Injested Aluminum causes memory loss so be careful how ya handle Aluminum!!:(

[MMBLUE]

^^^+10^^^ Injested Aluminum causes memory loss so be careful how ya handle Aluminum!!:(

So.........that's what wrong with me :confused:


PVD for the win :banana2:

If you can't shell out the $$$ then powder coat is the next best. I'm sure they have a bright and shinny silver.

[Marauderjack]

So.........that's what wrong with me :confused:

Yeah.....me too!!:shake:

[sflrainmaker01]

The only problem with powdercoating after you "polish" them to like chrome is the powdercoating will dull the finish, fyi. I'm leaving the wheels on the Mustang with a NuFinish wax coating. Supposed to last a year. We'll see.

[sflrainmaker01]

pics of my refinished wheels. First, is the horrible clear coat peeling. Second, is the final result.

[camelgrundle]

Looks good!

[massacre]

The Shelby wheels on the 60s Cobras were made by Halibrand, back when "mag" wheels meant wheels made from magnesium lol