Aluminum Silverado wheels

[TubeTruck]

aircraft remover was the best stuff going. Sent straight down from the gods. Then a few ********* killed themselves with the fumes and they had to outlaw it to protect idiots from themselves. Now there is nothing that compares. A damn shame.

We use this at work. Works great.

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/product/adhesives/loctite_sf_790.html

 

[fast68chevy]

strip off clear and polish.. the only way to fix them.

 

[GXPWeasel]

I used a/c condenser cleaner (usually HVAC guys will have some) to clean off my aluminum pontoons on my old boat. It will eat the clear right off, and give you raw aluminum. Strip them down, then start sanding. Finish with a drill buffer wheel or one on a die grinder, and some aluminum polish (I like Mother's) and you can get that result.

When you're done, cover them with Shark Hide. it's a thick aluminum clear cote that will hold up for years to harsh conditions. It's made of for pontoon boat logs and aluminum boats that go into sea water.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[59840Surfer]

Yep, a mild paint stripper to remove the clearcoat, then a polish (by hand) with some mag/aluminum polish to clean the surface up. That will provide a nice factory finish. Wet sanding and polishing the aluminum will add even more shine.

I don't have a recommendation for paint stripper anymore. There was some stuff that took GM's wheel clearcoat right off without hurting the aluminum, but it's out of production. It was made by Kleen Strip and was called Peeler, then changed to Aircraft stripper. However, there is still remaining stock here and there. I recently picked up two cans of it from Federated in Amherst VA. It was the only two cans they had left.

Yup -- the good stuff has been legislated out of existence.

I used it for (what else?) stripping my Citabria and used it in a carry-over on some of my vehicle projects. I wouldn't hurt aluminum, magnesium and almost any other metal I used it on. Steel would get an interesting patina on it though - kinda like a rainbow effect that disappeared when you clear-coated it, unfortunately.

I recently bought another gallon to do some more work and I might just have been better to use Grape Kool-Aid since this new stuff is so useless as to be a joke.

My previous source was Aircraft Specialty Spruce Supply in Fullerton, CA. Not sure they are even still in business in the nanny state of all nanny states ---> California.

 

[TPISly-C10]

@TPISly-C10, What did you use to shine those up. I would like to get the aluminum moldings on my truck to shine like that again.

aluminum moldings is way more thin, then you need to take good care not to go too hard on those, a 1500-2000 wet sand paper maybe and aluminium polish like Autosol or Mother ect....is a good way to do it!

 

[Johnny Atomic]

I'm in the process of working myself to death polishing a set of these. Did GM make these or did they have them made by a aftermarket wheel company? Do they have a name or part number??? There is a mark on the backside lip that looks to be AA. And an stamped number with an upside down number???

Mine had no clear coat.

 

[Keith Seymore]

All GM wheels were made by an outside supplier, like "Motorwheel" or "Alcoa" or Kelsey Hayes, etc.

I do not recall who made these; I do recall there were two version. Early version was forged, and then at some point they went cast as a cost savings.

K

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Id say put the truck on jackstands so the wheels are off the ground, start it, and put it in gear, and sand away.

Make your axle into a lathe.

 

[RanchWelder]

I used a/c condenser cleaner (usually HVAC guys will have some) to clean off my aluminum pontoons on my old boat. It will eat the clear right off, and give you raw aluminum. Strip them down, then start sanding. Finish with a drill buffer wheel or one on a die grinder, and some aluminum polish (I like Mother's) and you can get that result.

When you're done, cover them with Shark Hide. it's a thick aluminum clear cote that will hold up for years to harsh conditions. It's made of for pontoon boat logs and aluminum boats that go into sea water.

You must be registered for see images attach

The condenser cleaner is acid... you may have a tough time buying it unless you are a licensed a/c repairman...
It can hurt you... if not properly diluted... it may be on the restricted list these days...
Mother's may be the best aluminum polish ever...
Never heard of SharkHide... Made in USA! Have to check it out...

 

[Turbo4whl]

I'm in the process of working myself to death polishing a set of these. Did GM make these or did they have them made by a aftermarket wheel company? Do they have a name or part number??? There is a mark on the backside lip that looks to be AA. And an stamped number with an upside down number???

Mine had no clear coat.

All GM wheels were made by an outside supplier, like "Motorwheel" or "Alcoa" or Kelsey Hayes, etc.

I do not recall who made these; I do recall there were two version. Early version was forged, and then at some point they went cast as a cost savings.

K

American Racing also made some of the GM aluminum wheels. AR may have even offered some designs to GM but never sold the exact same wheels from their own line. Probably an agreement to GM that any replacement wheels were only bought from GM dealers.

 

[Johnny Atomic]

American Racing also made some of the GM aluminum wheels. AR may have even offered some designs to GM but never sold the exact same wheels from their own line. Probably an agreement to GM that any replacement wheels were only bought from GM dealers.

I saw a set of snowflake wheels from a Bandit style Trans Am that were stamped Western on the backside.

 

[Johnny Atomic]

All GM wheels were made by an outside supplier, like "Motorwheel" or "Alcoa" or Kelsey Hayes, etc.

I do not recall who made these; I do recall there were two version. Early version was forged, and then at some point they went cast as a cost savings.

K

How can you tell if they are Forged or Cast?

 

[Ricko1966]

Try sanding and polishing 5 of these alloy wheels and 2 of those alloy bumper ends. Damm I wish I had before pictures

 

[Keith Seymore]

How can you tell if they are Forged or Cast?

If you look at the back side the forged wheel will be smooth-ish; the cast will have an as cast texture (sandy appearance).

K

 

[Johnny Atomic]

Mine are the forged version. Here's a before and after.