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  1. #1
    Junior Member pcrjunkyamd's Avatar
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    Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Hey guys i got a really good deal on these wheels but i cant get them clean any tips on what to do or what to use



    99 Chevy Silverado (daily driver)
    00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Turboed (Summer Toy)

  2. #2
    Super Member frankprozzoly's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Mothers aluminum polish might get some of it

    Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online

  3. #3
    Junior Member pcrjunkyamd's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    been using megs aint doing anything
    99 Chevy Silverado (daily driver)
    00 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Turboed (Summer Toy)

  4. #4
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    Exclamation Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    If steal wool and some paste isn't cutting it,give a high-grit sandpaper a try.
    P.S. I am not an expert. Be warned; this might make matters actually worse.

  5. #5
    Super Member David Hayward's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    The nice thing about bare metal is you can work it with a light steel wool and then sand paper finer and finer until it's perfect and then polish it by hand or speed up the process with machines. You may have to just get real aggressive to knock everything off of it first and refine the finish from there.

  6. #6
    Super Member frankprozzoly's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    I used light steel wool with mothers to clean up some chrome pitting on my Harley. Worked pretty good

    Sent from my SPH-L710 using AG Online

  7. #7
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Aluminum polish would be a start..

  8. #8
    Super Member swanicyouth's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Those wheels look like they were originally painted aluminum wheels coated with a clear coat. However, in various spots the paint and/or clear coat has worn away. In other spots, dirt/brake filings have been etched/burned into the paint and or bare aluminum.

    So, those wheels have multiple issues going on. Part of the issue is the factory applied finish is toast & part of the issue is there is dirt embedded in the material.

    IMHO those wheels would never look "good enough" for me without receiving an acid dip and a powder coating. While you can likely polish away the embedded dirt with a heavy aluminum polish or P21S MSR - the finish will still appear uneven where the bare aluminum meets what's left of the paint.

    Another alternative would be to strip off what's left of the factory paint with some type of chemical paint stripper (although I am not sure paint stripper will work if they are powder coated - but I'm guessing the right paint stripper will), and then just go at the bare aluminum with a heavy aluminum polish, like P21S MSR. After that - follow up with a lighter metal polish.

    If your going that route - be prepared. You have a lot of tedious work ahead of you.

  9. #9
    Super Member Don M's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Quote Originally Posted by swanicyouth View Post
    IMHO those wheels would never look "good enough" for me without receiving an acid dip and a powder coating. While you can likely polish away the embedded dirt with a heavy aluminum polish or P21S MSR - the finish will still appear uneven where the bare aluminum meets what's left of the paint.

    Another alternative would be to strip off what's left of the factory paint with some type of chemical paint stripper (although I am not sure paint stripper will work if they are powder coated - but I'm guessing the right paint stripper will), and then just go at the bare aluminum with a heavy aluminum polish, like P21S MSR. After that - follow up with a lighter metal polish.

    If your going that route - be prepared. You have a lot of tedious work ahead of you.

    I have to agree, you're going to be putting A LOT of time and effort into a project that is at best only going to yield minimal results that you will have to constantly have to stay on top of ... bare aluminum oxidizes FAST. I would be more inclined to price out having them professionally cleaned (dipped) and powder coated.

  10. #10
    Super Member Vegas Transplant's Avatar
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    Re: Need Help With Polished Aluminum Rims

    Buschshineproductsdotcom video and products to strip clear coated aluminum wheels.
    Oven cleaner, think EZ OFF, to strip powder coat.
    VT
    Quote Originally Posted by glen e View Post
    ....It's all I use these days....they are buffing when I'm relaxing...and still don't get the powder out of canines!

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