Bringing shine back to my rims!

[Rusty Nail]

A little Ajax and a scrub brush would brighten up them white letters real good too.

They have so few miles on them......that's the original blue protector for shipping..I leave it because it makes the tires brand new.still.I think they are five years old. Still got blue letters.

Ain't warshin it off for nothin!...the truck is for sale.

 

[edward Kish]

I just polished a set of aluminum mags I bought used this week. Started with 1000 grit, then 1500, then steel wool, then finished it with Mother's aluminum polish and a Mother's power ball buffing tool. Mine weren't quite as rough as yours, but I did the whole job in about two hours. That's $50 in elbow grease, not $2000. They aren't perfect, but I've got a laundry list on this truck, so it'll do for now.

One rim I started with 400 grit, but found it wasn't necessary given how clean they were. go as low in grit as you need to-they key is multiple sand coats only jumping up a bit at a time. sanding with 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000 in a row will go way faster than just starting with 1500 on a heavily oxidized wheel.

Final Product:

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Rim after wet sanding:

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After Power Washing:

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[Lil'm]

I just polished a set of aluminum mags I bought used this week. Started with 1000 grit, then 1500, then steel wool, then finished it with Mother's aluminum polish and a Mother's power ball buffing tool. Mine weren't quite as rough as yours, but I did the whole job in about two hours. That's $50 in elbow grease, not $2000. They aren't perfect, but I've got a laundry list on this truck, so it'll do for now.

One rim I started with 400 grit, but found it wasn't necessary given how clean they were. go as low in grit as you need to-they key is multiple sand coats only jumping up a bit at a time. sanding with 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000 in a row will go way faster than just starting with 1500 on a heavily oxidized wheel.

Final Product:

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Rim after wet sanding:

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After Power Washing:

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Well done. Spray some clear on them for protection.

 

[The88]

Another option.....

Alumabrite acid wash them.

Hand held media blaster with baking soda( or even plastic bead blast them in a cabinet would be **** as well but lets think cheap).

Spot sand what you need to after a blast from coarse to fine.

Polish with some Extra cut rubbing compound with cotton pads. Followed by some machine glaze on a Powerball. That should get you in the ballpark of "God Damn those wheels look good!"

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[trukman1]

I'm in a similar boat...will these methods remove the existing clear coat? Or is there another method needed to remove the clear coat prior to polishing? The factory rims have tiny "ridges" as in machine marks. Any way to remove clear coat, polish and retain those fine marks?
Not trying to hijack thread just questions brought up by your post.
Thanks for any help in this area.

 

[DavieL]

I did mime myself, striped clear coat with paint stripper and sanded started with 400 grit and worked up to 2000 grit and then polishing compound and then Mothers Metal Polish.

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[Vbb199]

I did mime myself, striped clear coat with paint stripper and sanded started with 400 grit and worked up to 2000 grit and then polishing compound and then Mothers Metal Polish.

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That looks really good.


I don't wanna get that Shiney I think, but you guys definitely have given me some good ideas.

I'll get back to it soon and start with 1 wheel and see what I can do

 

[oldretiredafguy]

I did mime myself, striped clear coat with paint stripper and sanded started with 400 grit and worked up to 2000 grit and then polishing compound and then Mothers Metal Polish.

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Doggone, that is one clean wheel. Well done@!

 

[Craig Nedrow]

Use purple power, spray it on, a little scrubbing and rinse off. It is NOT recommended as it will stain the aluminum, but I did it to mine, and they were much worse then those, and came clean. Don't leave it on too long.

 

[DoubleDingo]

That looks really good.


I don't wanna get that Shiney I think, but you guys definitely have given me some good ideas.

I'll get back to it soon and start with 1 wheel and see what I can do

YOU CAN DO IT!!