D.I.Y. Polishing aluminum wheels or parts to a mirror finish

[g96nt]

I'm not much of a wheel guy, but would like to get these back to decent shape. They are 17years old and were in rough shape when I bought the car. Any ideas? Would this method work?

You're going to need to start with something pretty abrasive. maybe a wire wheel, or sanding wheel on a drill. you can't begin to polish until you get through that oxidization, and get an even surface. Honestly, I'd look at media blasting, there. The good news, is that media blasting will only take 15-minutes/wheel to be back to "raw", and then you can follow these instructions.

[NHMR2]

^ I had very similar oxidation... Didn't want to blast it for fear it would ruin the wheel center. I actually began with dry sanding with 60 grit... Still working my way up. Its a stupid long process

[Demetry]

You're going to need to start with something pretty abrasive. maybe a wire wheel, or sanding wheel on a drill. you can't begin to polish until you get through that oxidization, and get an even surface. Honestly, I'd look at media blasting, there. The good news, is that media blasting will only take 15-minutes/wheel to be back to "raw", and then you can follow these instructions.

^ I had very similar oxidation... Didn't want to blast it for fear it would ruin the wheel center. I actually began with dry sanding with 60 grit... Still working my way up. Its a stupid long process

Ok, thanks for the advice guys

[NHMR2]

Be very careful with 60 grit... It scratches deep... 120 may be best with a little more patience. Our a write wheel on a hand drill.

[Nittodub]

Going to be adding more to the first post soon so you can get more ALOT more shine after 3000 grit wet sanding.

[PlastikAvenger]

I may redo the LM reps this winter, just to get em perfect again. Cant wait to see your additions.

[NHMR2]

Going to be adding more to the first post soon so you can get more ALOT more shine after 3000 grit wet sanding.

looks incredible man.. how much would you charge to do per say.. two wheels and finish up two others?? lol im only serious...

[Nittodub]

About $80 if it's the lips that need polishing. If it's the whole wheel then it will be alot more.

For me it's $30 per lip.

[NHMR2]

If you can get them to look like that... I think we can do some business...

[thebucky84]

might have to give this a go on the TBSS

[Nittodub]

If you can get them to look like that... I think we can do some business...

show me some pics. of the wheels and then we can do business.

[NHMR2]

what the lips of two look like



and what the other two look like

[Nittodub]

No tires and flat lips YES!!!! I'll have no problem getting these to shine. I can also use your wheels for the thread additions

[NHMR2]

the hardest part for me refinishing them, was not messing up the paint on the wheel center since they are almost new wheels. still have plastic on center caps lol

[Nittodub]

First post updated with new info.