Polishing wheels

[godfearingman]

Hi I'm trying to determine if these wheels are polished aluminum or chrome so I can figure out how to polish them thanks in advance.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2688/medium/Frontpass.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2688/medium/Frontdriver.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2688/medium/Backpass.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2688/medium/Backdriver.jpg

[Setec Astronomy]

Those look like aluminum to me, but I'm not sure it's going to make much difference to how you polish them if they don't have any clear on them.

[eaglefan]

Cant tell who makes them from the picture. If you can find the maker of the wheel you can look it up.
I don't like to guess, but if had to, I would say they look aluminum not chrome. Only a guess though

[godfearingman]

I think there Pacer wheels there my step fathers I'm wanting to polish them for him I told they look like polished aluminum and he keeps saying there chrome.

[blkSRT]

They certainly look like polished aluminum to me.

[godfearingman]

he's about to turn 60 this year and he thinks he knows it all lol I'm no expert detailer but I've seen enough wheels and done enough detailing to know the difference in polished aluminum and chrome I have some chrome wheels on my car for my avatar they sure don't look anything like his wheels. If there polished aluminum what's the best thing to use to polish them? Mother's mag and aluminum polish or what? Found out they are Pacer wheels says there mod polished whatever that means I'm taking it as polished aluminum.

[Mike Phillips]

The finish and the style look to be bare or polished aluminum to me.

There's a quick, simple test you can do and if you want to be super careful use the least aggressive product you can find to do this test, for example toothpaste.

From this article,

The Secret to Removing Oxidation and Restoring a Show Car Finish to Antique Single Stage Paints (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html)


Oxidized Aluminum Turns Black
With metallic single stage paints, oxidation can show up as a darkening effect on medium to light colored paints because the aluminum metal flakes embodied inside the paint will stain or discolor the paint with a grayish black color.


If you’ve ever polished uncoated aluminum then you’ve seen this grayish black color coming off the aluminum and onto your polishing cloth as you work a metal polish over it. This same type of oxidation is taking place to the aluminum flake inside the paint.

Polishing Uncoated Aluminum
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod058.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod059.jpg


Oxidized Aluminum Comes Off Black
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/859/NonAbrasiveMethod060.jpg
Wolfgang MetallWerk™ Aluminum Polishing System (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-metallwerk-aluminum-polishing.html)



:dblthumb2:

[godfearingman]

black residue comes off when I use my DUB metal polish but also does that with the chrome wheels on my car.

[Mike Phillips]

black residue comes off when I use my DUB metal polish but also does that with the chrome wheels on my car.


With chrome wheels it's probably a layer of road film. Once you get the chrome back to clean and smooth no black residue should be transferring to your cloth.


Road Film - If you drive your car in the rain your car has road film (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/72159-road-film-if-you-drive-your-car-rain-your-car-has-road-film.html)


:xyxthumbs:

[godfearingman]

How do I clean and polish my chrome wheels and the polished aluminum wheels in the post?

[DaveT435]

Polished aluminum.

[aditya]

Hi Guys,

This will be my first post. I have polished my wheels using ABRO metal polish. After applying my wheels are shining like never before. My Question is after using polish Can I apply Collinite 845 to my wheels? Is the procedure same for alloys as we follow for paint? I follow the below steps for paint.

1) Apply C845 to one panel.
2) Wait for product to haze for 15 minutes
3) Rub it with a MF and buff it.

Appreciate your help.

[Mike Phillips]

How do I clean and polish my chrome wheels and the polished aluminum wheels in the post?


Lots of info I've already typed out in this thread...

I need help with wheels (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/58346-i-need-help-wheels.html)


Especially read post #6 as it relates to how to keep chrome in nice condition.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

How do I clean and polish my chrome wheels and the polished aluminum wheels in the post?


Read this thread for aluminum mags...


Old School Aluminum Slotted Mag Wheels - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/27892-old-school-aluminum-slotted-mag-wheels-extreme-makeover.html)


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/EOSlottedMags001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/EOSlottedMags002.jpg




After

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/EOSlottedMags0091.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/EOSlottedMags010.jpg



:)

[Mike Phillips]

How do I clean and polish my chrome wheels and the polished aluminum wheels in the post?


Here's another good one....


Show Car Garage Video: How to clean and polish aluminum wheels by machine with Flitz Metal Polish (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/25403-show-car-garage-video-how-clean-polish-aluminum-wheels-machine-flitz-metal-polish.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/862/FlitzVideoSC010.jpg



I could do this all day.... Larry the Cable Guy



:D