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Here is a simple and cheap polishing DIY to get your aluminum wheels or parts to a mirror shine.
What you need:
For wet sanding and polishing
1. 3M Wet/Dry sandpaper.
Grit# 220, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000.
2. Junk towel, and washcloth.
3. Something to hold water in.
4. Disposable gloves.
5. Aluminum polish.
6. Microfiber cloths.
7. Car wax.
8. Beer (not needed but recommend.)
For removing clear coat and paint.
1. Aircraft remover.
2. Chemical resistant gloves.
3. Plastic paint scraper.
4. lots of water.
5. painters tape
STEP#1 Getting down to bare metal.
Tape off all area's with the painters tape that you don't want striped down to metal. Next apply the aircraft remover. It may take a few applications of the remover to get all paint and clear coat off. Next remove the tape an wash the wheels down with alot of water to neutralize the chemicals and then let dry.
STEP#2 Wet sanding
My sanding technique was done indoors on my living room floor, it can be done outdoors by having a hose stream water onto the wheel. But the temperature outside forced me to work inside. Use the towel as your work surface so you don't scratch the parts. Begin wetting down the sanding area and start off with the 400 grit and sand in one direction only. Make sure to keep the sand paper and surface wet and use the washcloth to keep the surface clean.
Start with 220 (sorry no pics.)
After 400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
STEP#3 Shine an care.
When done sanding wash the wheels real good and let them dry. Now begin using the metal polish. After each application of the polish the surface will start to shine more an more. After that apply the car wax to help the aluminum from oxidizing but it wont prevent it. You will need to re-polish and wax every month to keep the shine. When cleaning the wheels DO NOT USE WHEELS CLEANERS. They will stain the aluminum just use soap and water.
MORE SHINE
Things needed.
MUST BE DONE OUTDOORS
SAFETY GLASSES
BREATHER MASK <-(Some polishing compounds are toxic)
A tool that spins over 2500 RPM. I used a cheap high speed craftsman's drill I got at sears.
A Denim polishing wheel.
A soft Cotton polishing wheel.
Polishing compounds.
Brown Tripoli -> Denium wheel
White Rouge-> Soft Cotton wheel
Your compound needs to be at room temp to start.It will fall apart if its cold.
What to do.
Add a little compound to the wheel and start to polish the part. You will see a mirror finish in seconds. Do a few passes then change your wheel when your ready from another compound. Clean the area before you switch compounds.
DO NOT USE TWO COMPOUNDS WITH ONE WHEEL.
I will Add more pics. when I do some polishing work.
What you need:
For wet sanding and polishing
1. 3M Wet/Dry sandpaper.
Grit# 220, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000.
2. Junk towel, and washcloth.
3. Something to hold water in.
4. Disposable gloves.
5. Aluminum polish.
6. Microfiber cloths.
7. Car wax.
8. Beer (not needed but recommend.)
For removing clear coat and paint.
1. Aircraft remover.
2. Chemical resistant gloves.
3. Plastic paint scraper.
4. lots of water.
5. painters tape
STEP#1 Getting down to bare metal.
Tape off all area's with the painters tape that you don't want striped down to metal. Next apply the aircraft remover. It may take a few applications of the remover to get all paint and clear coat off. Next remove the tape an wash the wheels down with alot of water to neutralize the chemicals and then let dry.
STEP#2 Wet sanding
My sanding technique was done indoors on my living room floor, it can be done outdoors by having a hose stream water onto the wheel. But the temperature outside forced me to work inside. Use the towel as your work surface so you don't scratch the parts. Begin wetting down the sanding area and start off with the 400 grit and sand in one direction only. Make sure to keep the sand paper and surface wet and use the washcloth to keep the surface clean.
Start with 220 (sorry no pics.)
After 400
600
800
1000
2000
3000
STEP#3 Shine an care.
When done sanding wash the wheels real good and let them dry. Now begin using the metal polish. After each application of the polish the surface will start to shine more an more. After that apply the car wax to help the aluminum from oxidizing but it wont prevent it. You will need to re-polish and wax every month to keep the shine. When cleaning the wheels DO NOT USE WHEELS CLEANERS. They will stain the aluminum just use soap and water.
MORE SHINE
Things needed.
MUST BE DONE OUTDOORS
SAFETY GLASSES
BREATHER MASK <-(Some polishing compounds are toxic)
A tool that spins over 2500 RPM. I used a cheap high speed craftsman's drill I got at sears.
A Denim polishing wheel.
A soft Cotton polishing wheel.
Polishing compounds.
Brown Tripoli -> Denium wheel
White Rouge-> Soft Cotton wheel
Your compound needs to be at room temp to start.It will fall apart if its cold.
What to do.
Add a little compound to the wheel and start to polish the part. You will see a mirror finish in seconds. Do a few passes then change your wheel when your ready from another compound. Clean the area before you switch compounds.
DO NOT USE TWO COMPOUNDS WITH ONE WHEEL.
I will Add more pics. when I do some polishing work.
Brewmaster
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