1 Wheel done 3 to go

[fl_rider]

It's a beautiful day here in Wisconsin so I thought I would get started polishing my wheels.
Here are before and after pictures:

 

[bill81vette]

very nice...what did you use??

I used mothers mag and aluminumn polish, it did a very nice job but I still have spots from them sitting for several years,I'm thinking about getting a 3'' air polisher and try it again..

bill

 

[fl_rider]

Elbow grease....

very nice...what did you use??

I used mothers mag and aluminumn polish, it did a very nice job but I still have spots from them sitting for several years,I'm thinking about getting a 3'' air polisher and try it again..

bill

Actually I used a hard 4 inch buff on my die grinder and jewelers rouge for a polishing compound.

 

[fl_rider]

Drivers side is done, can I quit now??

Ingredients for shiny wheels...
1. 4 inch cotton buff on a die grinder (gotta love 20,000 rpm)
2. White polishing compound (the kind you use to polish a paint job)
3. Jewelers Rouge
4. Nev-R-Dull Cotton Wadding (or an aluminum polish of your choice)

The first time around use the polishing compound. Just do a small area and then move on. This will cut through the oxidation on the surface of the wheel.

The second time around use the jewelers rouge.

To finish it all up I use Nev-R-Dull Cotton Wadding. This dries to a haze and then you buff it off with a soft cloth and you can move to the next wheel.

It's a lot of work, and pretty tedious, but the results are worth it.

Chris B

 

[Tifton81]

Hi, I did all 4 of my 1981 rims took many hours. They were really dull. After all that hard work getting them to look great, I washed the car and the rims immediately dulled and spotted. What are you using to protect the finish once you have them all polished up? Help

 

[jclit]

I Wax Mine

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Wax them with a clear Carnauba wax and it will protect them from the rain and stain. Next wheel you do, try the Nevrdull first to get the oxide off, then buff with the rouge. The Nevrdull has an ammonia component that will cut the oxides before you buff. It will be black as pitch before you wipe it off.

 

[fl_rider]

Hi, I did all 4 of my 1981 rims took many hours. They were really dull. After all that hard work getting them to look great, I washed the car and the rims immediately dulled and spotted. What are you using to protect the finish once you have them all polished up? Help

I use Nevr-Dull. Once I got the metal polished this woks well to keep up the shine.

http://www.eagleone.com

I have been using this on the aluminum on my Harley for quite a few years. It does the trick for me.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

You need some longer spring bolts to lower your body down a little.

 

[Stallion]

I agree, that does look like a little too much gap there.

 

[Eric]

Awesome improvement! I've always loved those alloys on Sharks!

 

[BlueL36]

Very nice!

 

[LanceB]

Man those look good. I hate how many sharks I see that aren't polished. But it is a PITA to do it. I just put mine on jackstands anymore, take the wheels off and go to town on them. The chrome-plated ones for sale in Corvette Central are the bomb.

 

[Eddie 70]

I put about 8 hours in a set of four on my 79 years ago. They came out very nice. I guess they stayed shiny the entire time I had the car.