Anybody restore Aluminum wheels wetsanding?

[ShineMyCar]

Thanks, I'll look into that. Would definitely save my hands and speed up the job if it works.

[Flash Gordon]

Is the wheel coated? If so you must strip it 1st. if they are bare aluminum you can sand the pits out.

I do this all the time on Semi Truck wheels and tanks. They get pitted from the rocks on the highways. I move up in stages from 80 grit (very abused aluminum) to final of 1000 grit. I use Airway buffs, liquid polish, rouge compounds, mineral spirits and a two speed (1400-3200rpm) rotary polisher to buff it out. Depending on your buffer you may have to go to 1200 or 1500 grit to get that flawless finish.

The smoother you get the surface the easier and better the polish will be. If you can fit it in there go to your local auto supply store that sells paint and get the sticky sanding disks and the backing plate. Then attach it into your 3/8 drill or a paint squealer if you have one. Beats the hand job!

If you are polishing by machine the hotter the aluminum is the more it will "flow" under the compound and produce a more mirror finish. To remove the black residue from the polishing process that may be left over rub in some corn starch with a soft cloth. Will take the black right off.

For the back of the wheel you could try a sisal buff to remove the pits before going to a finer grit for final sanding. If you do this be VERY VERY careful not to hold this buff in one spot. This stuff is like 8o grit sandpaper in a tight round roll! Sisal takes pitting out very quick.

I don't wet sand just put on a high grade particle mask and go to town. Wet sanding will definitely reduse the aluminum dust.

When you are all done seal the wheel or two months later you will be polishing again.

I'd like to see a video of this

[Vegas Transplant]

@ Kevin Cullen
Polish Chrome Wheel.wmv - YouTube

Is this wheel chrome or stainless?

Were you spinning black emery (400 grit) @ 3400rpm on purple vented buff ?

Why?

[Flash Gordon]

@ Kevin Cullen
Polish Chrome Wheel.wmv - YouTube

Is this wheel chrome or stainless?

Were you spinning black emery (400 grit) @ 3400rpm on purple vented buff ?

Why?

Thanks V T

btw...got another ticket going through Whiteville recently

[Vegas Transplant]

In town? Dagnabbit hand! Sounds like a state (DMV) class may be in order.

Anyways, have a great night.

[Flash Gordon]

In town? Dagnabbit hand! Sounds like a state (DMV) class may be in order.

Anyways, have a great night.

You know the town well. I completed my 4 hour class a few Saturdays ago

Sorry to mess up your thread OP. What were we talking about anyway?

[Vegas Transplant]

I attended the church... almost next to the Pict-sweet cannery/cold storage one summer.
Also use to fish on the wildlife preserve, but can't remember the name.
Picked many a pecan in Brownsville and delivered umpteen cars to auto reconditioners all over Hardeman county. I still consider Cecil, former sheriff, now car hauler for Bolivar Ford, a true friend.

EDIT: My bad OP...Back to you.

[DaveT435]

The wheels are clear coated...you should be repairing it like you would paint on a car. It is thicker and a little tougher than the paint on your car...but if you sand through you will not get the finish you want. I think I would try iron x first and see how much of the crap that takes off or out of the finish. Then lightly sand accordingly then switch to an aggressive pad with maybe some 105...then go less aggressive til you en up at the polishing stage...Just my opinion...

[Flash Gordon]

I attended the church... almost next to the Pict-sweet cannery/cold storage one summer.
Also use to fish on the wildlife preserve, but can't remember the name.
Picked many a pecan in Brownsville and delivered umpteen cars to auto reconditioners all over Hardeman county. I still consider Cecil, former sheriff, now car hauler for Bolivar Ford, a true friend.

EDIT: My bad OP...Back to you.

You know, I like the town so much and everyone is so friendly, I feel it is my civic duty to contribute to the city coffers at least once every couple of years......I do think the new sheriffs brother in law runs the driving school



Back to your regular scheduled program...

[Vegas Transplant]

By the Grace of the Almighty, I was living a good life back then. Seems that the law in them there parts don't cotton to strangers or city ways, if you know what I mean.
Great place to raise kids.



The biggest thing is that the OP had a great idea...just not well thought out or researched.
It's not going to be all that expensive to purchase a stripper, sand, polish, paint, and Zoop coat the set of wheels.

The process that he is aiming for is going to leave him with shiny scratches on the spokes and rims, half-finished, painted/coated wheel faces, and nanometers of protection to presevere what a plasticised factory coating gave up its ghost for.

The OP would be well suited, IMO, to rethink his game plan, or buy aftermarket or Craigslist wheels.