Polished Aluminum Wheels?

[93civej1]

Anyone have any certain methods or products they use to clean polished aluminum wheels?

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[deadbug]

if they're new ceramic coating is the way to go, will protect and help keep cleaner than any other method

 

[93civej1]

if they're new ceramic coating is the way to go, will protect and help keep cleaner than any other method

They aren’t new and need a good work over.

 

[Oil_Burner]

I just bought some 20 year old aluminum wheels for my RV. They are 22.5" truck wheels. I currently have steel wheels with stainless steel covers. The wheels I purchased came from an RV junkyard, that were still installed on the junked RV before I got them.

They were pretty nasty. I used the following product that I got on Amazon to polish the aluminum, and they have a mirror like finish now: Zephyr Ultra Shine Polishing Kit

I bought a cheap Buffer from Harbor Freight and an Extension from Amazon so it moves the buffing pads away from the buffer.

Here is a great video:

 

[93civej1]

Thanks...looks like ive got a couple small gashes I need to see if I can sand away before I polish etc.

 

[87944turbo]

I am currently working on some wheels for another truck. These were pretty nasty to begin with and still have a way to go. But I started by cleaning them well with Simple Green and then hit them with NAPA Aluminum Brightener. The brightener works pretty well and quickly. Final stage is Mothers polish with attachments from the HF aluminum polishing kit. Might try one of the Mothers Power Balls or Cones, will see how it goes.

Working well so far, certainly not a fast process. Complicated on this wheel due to the extra hardware. Since these have a machined finish, they will never look like a mirror.

One thing to be sure is to determine if your working on raw aluminum or clear coated wheels. I would think the majority of wheels in the past 15 years or more are clear coated. Unless of course you or someone else has removed it. The wheels I am working on are raw.

 

[93civej1]

I am currently working on some wheels for another truck. These were pretty nasty to begin with and still have a way to go. But I started by cleaning them well with Simple Green and then hit them with NAPA Aluminum Brightener. The brightener works pretty well and quickly. Final stage is Mothers polish with attachments from the HF aluminum polishing kit. Might try one of the Mothers Power Balls or Cones, will see how it goes.

Working well so far, certainly not a fast process. Complicated on this wheel due to the extra hardware. Since these have a machined finish, they will never look like a mirror.

One thing to be sure is to determine if your working on raw aluminum or clear coated wheels. I would think the majority of wheels in the past 15 years or more are clear coated. Unless of course you or someone else has removed it. The wheels I am working on are raw.

I will be working on a set of polished aluminum bullet hole style wheels. (much like you have for sale, just not black)

I saw a video of that aluminum brightener last night and it looks like it worked pretty good. Is it non-acidic? Ive heard any acidic cleaner will cause spots on the aluminum

 

[87944turbo]

I will be working on a set of polished aluminum bullet hole style wheels. (much like you have for sale, just not black)

I saw a video of that aluminum brightener last night and it looks like it worked pretty good. Is it non-acidic? Ive heard any acidic cleaner will cause spots on the aluminum

That's cool, would be interested to see what those look like. I have some stock bullet holes on my F-150. Really like them, just wish they were wider.

Oh and aluminum brightener is very acidic. It did leave spots in some places, but polished right out. I felt like it at least gave me a head start on removing the oxidation. It's certainly not a silver bullet.

 

[93civej1]

That's cool, would be interested to see what those look like. I have some stock bullet holes on my F-150. Really like them, just wish they were wider.

Oh and aluminum brightener is very acidic. It did leave spots in some places, but polished right out. I felt like it at least gave me a head start on removing the oxidation. It's certainly not a silver bullet.

awesome. id like to try some of that , but i also dont wanna end up making more work for myself. haha.

 

[Blackjeepjk]

Other one in my stable.
mothers and time. Polish until you’re happy with finished look

 

[93civej1]

thanks for the pic. I have the wheels here, but never put them on. I worked them over some and did a semi decent polish. I am getting rid of them, because 2 days after I bought them, I picked up some other wheels instead.

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