Polishing aluminum - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

NE-RokToy · 02-17-2003, 10:33 AM

HAhA I didnt think I would have much use for this forum but alas!

i have an old set of alluminum wheels that would look a hell of alot better then my factory GM wheels and work better with my future tires. I just want to clean them up sense this is a DD and I do have to give females rides in this thing I want some bling bling. So what have you guy's used to polish up old alluminum?

sceep · 02-17-2003, 10:42 AM

accept no substitute.

AZFord4x4 · 02-17-2003, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sceep
accept no substitute.

Agreed

rusted · 02-17-2003, 11:18 AM

Mother's is good, but not as good as this stuff. Nevr Dull is also 1/2 the price.

NE-RokToy · 02-17-2003, 11:39 AM

these wheels are pretty tore up, I think they may need more then just a can of polish and elbow grease. They are 20+ year old alluminum mags (I actually got them because brandon from river city rock crawlers was looking for some for his jeep but I got them way later then expected) so any other sugestions?

MattS · 02-17-2003, 12:13 PM

Go down to the big rig place and have em acid etched first and then polish em. I had a set does a few years back for $10. They do it to all their gas tanks to get the diesel spills off.

Mike Knorr · 02-17-2003, 12:45 PM

Eastwood makes a kit that is excellant.

http://www.eastwoodco.com

The first part number is 13103, the second is 13107

This kit is alot of work but it will take old crappy wheels and make them look like new again. They say it takes 4 hours per wheel. If you wheels are pretty bad you can double that pretty easy. Come out looking like glass though. Well worth it if you have a unique style wheel ya wanna restore.

NE-RokToy · 02-17-2003, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattS
Go down to the big rig place and have em acid etched first and then polish em. I had a set does a few years back for $10. They do it to all their gas tanks to get the diesel spills off.

I figured you would have some input on this! Did you just have them dipped and then polish them with elbow grease and mothers/never dull?

MattS · 02-17-2003, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NE-RokToy
I figured you would have some input on this! Did you just have them dipped and then polish them with elbow grease and mothers/never dull?

Down at the shop mounted on the workmate is a 8 inch buffer. The rouge is in the red tool chest bottom drawer.

There are also 2 smaller buffing pads that attach to the air grinder.

I will warn you, it's not quick, easy or fun by any means. If they are pitted you will need 180 and 320 grit paper for the 6" DA sander to clean that up first.

If you want me to show you how to do it just ask. I did the supercharger for Tony's durango (pain in the ass rough cast) for the auto show and polish stuff for my drag racing buddies in trade for paint work all the time. Here's the durango:

narrowed cj · 02-17-2003, 03:28 PM

drive it through sand and they will look brand new

SilverZuk · 02-17-2003, 06:43 PM

I agree with sceep, there are many polishes that do a good job.

But, ELBOW GREASE (about an hours worth per rim) is what it really takes.

Qbert · 02-17-2003, 08:19 PM

I used Polishing wheels on a dremel with some polishing wax, I then cleaned and clear coated my rims, they looked bad ass, This was on a VW bug that I had, I got a hold of some old Porsche rims that were all jacked up. That was 8 years ago, dam I feel old.

NE-RokToy · 02-18-2003, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattS

I will warn you, it's not quick, easy or fun by any means. If they are pitted you will need 180 and 320 grit paper for the 6" DA sander to clean that up first.

I figured this is what I'm gonna have to do, but my time is worth nothing to me so it sure as hell beats buying new wheels! I actually like these too however I think they are 15x10 (with 31 10.50's on them right now!)

Oxjockey · 02-18-2003, 10:36 AM

This was just on Trucks! this weekend - their website might have the manufacturer of a kit and some sort of sealer that helps to keep them looking good.

Bryan

criscfer · 02-20-2003, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oxjockey
This was just on Trucks! this weekend - their website might have the manufacturer of a kit and some sort of sealer that helps to keep them looking good.

Bryan

Zups, Zupes, Zoops, something like that. I was interested in hearing more about that stuff. Please do tell if anyone has the scoop.

HNRYS69 · 02-20-2003, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattS

Down at the shop mounted on the workmate is a 8 inch buffer. The rouge is in the red tool chest bottom drawer.

There are also 2 smaller buffing pads that attach to the air grinder.

I will warn you, it's not quick, easy or fun by any means. If they are pitted you will need 180 and 320 grit paper for the 6" DA sander to clean that up first.

If you want me to show you how to do it just ask. I did the supercharger for Tony's durango (pain in the ass rough cast) for the auto show and polish stuff for my drag racing buddies in trade for paint work all the time. Here's the durango:

Did you clearcoat that supercharger when you were done?? I want to polish my mustang upper efi intake but dont want it to look like ass in a month...

Rev. Parsley · 02-21-2003, 01:38 AM

I like wet sanding-1000,1500,2000 then I break out the Mothers. I can get messed up parts to look like chrome. But it's all about the elbow grease.

Churnd · 02-21-2003, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by criscfer

Zups, Zupes, Zoops, something like that. I was interested in hearing more about that stuff. Please do tell if anyone has the scoop.

Zoops

criscfer · 02-21-2003, 09:02 AM

Thanks. $130 DAMN

LUVMYTJ · 02-21-2003, 09:35 AM

Heres what ya do man...

Get some coil cleaner.. The stuff A/C techs use to clean coils. Spray it on there and sit back and watch.. Let it sit for about 5 min or so and wash it off... May take more than one application.Then break out the polish and go to town.. That stuff is pretty harsh. I use it on my ATV motors when they get that mud stain scum on them.

MattS · 02-21-2003, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HNRYS69
Did you clearcoat that supercharger when you were done?? I want to polish my mustang upper efi intake but dont want it to look like ass in a month...

This is not his daily driver so I didn't. On anything that see's street use I would clear coat it.

I have heard good things about this: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=7720

But not used it myself.

On my supercharged LT1 I had everything powder coated clear. It was spendy but a much harder better coating IMHO.

I can't find a better pic of it, this one is before I wiped all the finger prints off.

Weasel · 02-21-2003, 09:00 PM

instead of clear coating why not just have it anodized clear?

ducmon900 · 02-22-2003, 09:21 AM

go to http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/ and go down to beautification, have pretty good write ups

Jaffer · 02-23-2003, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rev. Parsley
I like wet sanding-1000,1500,2000 then I break out the Mothers. I can get messed up parts to look like chrome. But it's all about the elbow grease.

The Rev. knows how ...

For every minute you spend sanding, you save five minutes polishing. Plus you will achieve a smoother finish.
The primary abrasive compounds to use are Tripoli or Dry Bob which is more agressive.
After you achieve a smooth, satin finish a white rouge like White Luster or Fabuluster will put the shine on your work.
These compounds are used with motorized muslin polishing wheels.
Here's a link to my business' polishing equipment page ...

MetalWorks.com

02-17-2003, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
NE-RokToy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 62 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 5,992	Polishing aluminum HAhA I didnt think I would have much use for this forum but alas! i have an old set of alluminum wheels that would look a hell of alot better then my factory GM wheels and work better with my future tires. I just want to clean them up sense this is a DD and I do have to give females rides in this thing I want some bling bling. So what have you guy's used to polish up old alluminum? __________________ Jeff Neves

02-17-2003, 11:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
rusted Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11799 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 1,788	Mother's is good, but not as good as this stuff. Nevr Dull is also 1/2 the price. Last edited by rusted; 04-20-2004 at 07:44 AM.

02-17-2003, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
NE-RokToy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 62 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 5,992	these wheels are pretty tore up, I think they may need more then just a can of polish and elbow grease. They are 20+ year old alluminum mags (I actually got them because brandon from river city rock crawlers was looking for some for his jeep but I got them way later then expected) so any other sugestions? __________________ Jeff Neves

02-17-2003, 12:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mike Knorr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 60 Location: Just west of Lame Posts: 832	Eastwood makes a kit that is excellant. http://www.eastwoodco.com The first part number is 13103, the second is 13107 This kit is alot of work but it will take old crappy wheels and make them look like new again. They say it takes 4 hours per wheel. If you wheels are pretty bad you can double that pretty easy. Come out looking like glass though. Well worth it if you have a unique style wheel ya wanna restore. __________________ Twisted Customs Chassis-347/C-4/Dana 300/HP60's- Maxxis-Burnsville Off Road-Racefuel by Chem442

02-17-2003, 06:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
SilverZuk Hillbilly Houndsman Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13420 Location: Kenna, West Virginia Posts: 6,824	I agree with sceep, there are many polishes that do a good job. But, ELBOW GREASE (about an hours worth per rim) is what it really takes. __________________ The penalty for punching someone in the mouth is way too high in our society. www.MountaineerOffroad.com

02-17-2003, 12:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
MattS Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 386 Location: Omaha, NE USA Posts: 14,690	Go down to the big rig place and have em acid etched first and then polish em. I had a set does a few years back for $10. They do it to all their gas tanks to get the diesel spills off.

02-17-2003, 03:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
narrowed cj Rock God Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13347 Location: SACRAMENTO CA Posts: 1,011	drive it through sand and they will look brand new

02-17-2003, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Qbert Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Member # 2635 Location: Honolulu Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 1,536	I used Polishing wheels on a dremel with some polishing wax, I then cleaned and clear coated my rims, they looked bad ass, This was on a VW bug that I had, I got a hold of some old Porsche rims that were all jacked up. That was 8 years ago, dam I feel old.

02-18-2003, 10:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
Oxjockey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7163 Location: PA Posts: 1,863	This was just on Trucks! this weekend - their website might have the manufacturer of a kit and some sort of sealer that helps to keep them looking good. Bryan

02-21-2003, 01:38 AM	#17 (permalink)
Rev. Parsley Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 161 Location: GHQ Posts: 794	I like wet sanding-1000,1500,2000 then I break out the Mothers. I can get messed up parts to look like chrome. But it's all about the elbow grease.

02-21-2003, 09:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
criscfer malcontent Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8448 Location: Parker, Co Posts: 568	Thanks. $130 DAMN __________________ “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

02-21-2003, 09:35 AM	#20 (permalink)
LUVMYTJ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14036 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,553	Heres what ya do man... Get some coil cleaner.. The stuff A/C techs use to clean coils. Spray it on there and sit back and watch.. Let it sit for about 5 min or so and wash it off... May take more than one application.Then break out the polish and go to town.. That stuff is pretty harsh. I use it on my ATV motors when they get that mud stain scum on them.

02-21-2003, 09:00 PM	#22 (permalink)
Weasel Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5639 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 5,945	instead of clear coating why not just have it anodized clear? __________________ Just Add Lightness I'd rather be simple-and-wrong than complicated-and-wrong.

02-22-2003, 09:21 AM	#23 (permalink)
ducmon900 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 17253 Location: michigan Posts: 40	Re: Polishing aluminum go to http://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/ and go down to beautification, have pretty good write ups

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