Need some help cleaning aluminum wheels

[Curry]

Hey guys,

I decided to finally take some time and start cleaning these wheels. There was a lot of crap on them. I was reading around trying to find out what to use and how to go about doing it.

I have no clear coat on the wheels. What do you guys suggest to get all these spot thingies out and get rid of all the hair line scratches? (if at all possible)

[ToyotaJimD.]

I'm not sure why you say you have no clear, when I clearly see damaged clearcoat on the center section. Though the lips may have no clear left, there's clear elsewhere.

It looks like you have severe pitting from road salts and/or brake dust. And obviously, you also have brake dust build-up.

You might get decent results by stripping the clearcoat with an aviation aluminum stripper and polish them as best as you can with a PowerBall Mini and some Mag & Aluminum Polish -- you can get those at most auto parts stores and your biggest expense will be your time. If you want to get into high-speed buffing, that's what will be required to really do a nice job.

You may want to look into professional refinishing... Google services in your area, and most will require a dismount of the tire, adding to the expense. Ideally you'd wait until you need new tires and do without your car for a few days.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[ToyotaJimD.]

I ran across this thread the other day and it may be insightful for you...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3874290

[Pb]

High speed drill, powerball, Adams metal polishes.

If it is bare aluminum then the polish should turn black as you work it. Get in the crevices by hand. Apply and wipe off several times. Each wheel can take half an hour or more to properly polish.

[ToyotaJimD.]

Originally Posted by Pb

High speed drill, powerball, Adams metal polishes.

If it is bare aluminum then the polish should turn black as you work it. Get in the crevices by hand. Apply and wipe off several times. Each wheel can take half an hour or more to properly polish.

I guess that'll work... I haven't tried the Adam's metal polish, but I think the Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish would be about the most aggressive polish out there, it's readily available and reasonably priced. It's what I would use to remove the remaining clearcoat as well as address the pits, and works great with the PowerBall Mini.

[Curry]

Thanks for the info guys. I will post back once I finish and let you know how it goes.

JimD. I meant to edit my post. There is clear on the spokes. The lip has no clear.

[Pb]

Originally Posted by ToyotaJimD.

I guess that'll work... I haven't tried the Adam's metal polish, but I think the Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish would be about the most aggressive polish out there, it's readily available and reasonably priced. It's what I would use to remove the remaining clearcoat as well as address the pits, and works great with the PowerBall Mini.

My Mother's Billet Polish, and also my Mother's Mag Polish is in the back of my detailing cabinet collecting dust. I used it for years, but once I tried the Adam's metal polish I stopped using the Mothers. It's faster and shinier.