Scuffed and nicked wheels

luc_b
03-14-2008, 12:54 AM
My wheels are scuffed and nicked and i Can't manage to clean them up. I was thinking of using a series of buffing pads for a drill, is this a bad idea? Any other suggestions?
Thanks.

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 04:44 AM
They do make a wheel refinishing kit. It sells fer about $20 and has 2 types of abrasive bars and wheels and such. I remember seeing it at Home Depot in the tool section. Give that a shot. ;)

Git some piccies of yer wheels...how bad are these nicks and scuffs? :(

luc_b
03-14-2008, 01:59 PM
this is the worst one... the other three aren't close to this bad.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4576.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4574.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4576.jpg
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4575.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://www.toyotanation.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4574.jpg%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg176/alamanamo/IMG_4575.jpg

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 05:46 PM
That looks pretty eaten up but it really isn't that bad. Keep in mind that you'd probably have to start out with some 600 grit on the sander and then go to some finer ones. The kit might have some coarse grit. You could even start out with a wire wheel initially and start slow and light...git most of the crud off and then go with the sander.

Another option is to have them professionally redone.

luc_b
03-14-2008, 07:36 PM
Thanks Bam,
I am going to try the sanding method, the nicks aren't that deep, I don't think it will take much.

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 07:50 PM
If you want to keep them looking really nice without a lot of work next time, you could seal them with ZoopSeal (http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/zoopseal.html)... ;)

Seems kinda pricey at first but if you think how many hours it will take you or took you to make them super shiney and polished up...you will slap this on there without thinking twice... :D

luc_b
03-14-2008, 07:54 PM
Yep, definitely is expensive, but i can see what you mean...
Just out of curiosity, how do you know so much about well... everything?

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 08:42 PM
I'm a shopper and fixer upper by heart. Retired military (USAF) and road warrior. Been doing lots of things on my own with a penchant fer learning new things that I try to apply to other things.

I git along with just about anyone and with an open mind to learn something new everyday. I never know when I might need to apply that knowledge one day... ;)

I took a stab at polishing wheels one day. Had to do a lot of research in the process. What separates the DIYer and the professional is the tools and knowledge available to do the right job. The professional usually has a high speed motor with an assortment of buffing wheels and compounds to do the job. And fer the amount of work they do...it's almost a top notch job every time. Fer a DIYer like myself, I try to find everyday tools to git me from point A to point B without a lot of hassle or cost. The ZoopSeal has been the one product that works fer keeping that shine fer a long time.

Fergot to say one more thing about yer wheels. Have you thought of gitting another set instead of polishing those out? Might be cheaper or more time effective... ;)

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 09:33 PM
Better (http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=5158&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C432%2C433%2C436&KickerID=15&KICKER) pricing... :D

Original website (http://www.zoopseal.com/home.asp)

BamZipPow
03-14-2008, 09:55 PM
Here's someone's guide (http://www.poleringsguide.se/english/) on how they did their polishing...

luc_b
03-17-2008, 08:28 PM
thanks am, seems like i've got my work cut out for me...

BamZipPow
03-18-2008, 01:56 AM
You might think about building a platform to hold the rim at the correct working angle that works fer you so you can rotate the tire freely. Another rig to hold yer drill/buffer... ;)