Help! Cleaning aluminum wheels:

[401KVet]

Hello, ;help

I'm new and still trying to figure my way around. I just bought my Vette and the factory wheels are really dirty/oxidation. I tried some cleaner from Mothers's, but its not doing a very good job, plus it's very slow.
Can anyone recommend something that they have used?
Thanks for anyone's help.

Glenn

 

[Emtmike]

Welcome to the forum 401KVet . If you want to see some nice polished wheels and what to use....go to the L81 Vette registry forum at the top

 

[401KVet]

Thanks for the advice.
Another question: Does the wheels on a 81 have the clearcoat on them as do the later models? If so, I think I will have to remove the clearcoat to get a good shine.

 

[thegavel]

Elbow grease and time (PLENTY OF BOTH).
I purchased a polishing kit from a hardware store,
(you use an electric drill) it comes with polishing wheels
and 2 kinds of polishing paste/wax (fine & very fine: there are many different grades -I'm using BLUE for alloy ).
Can be very time consuming & DIRTY work BUT the results are worth it,
If like me your on a budget/tightass then go for it but if
they're real bad try a professional.
Just my 2 cents.
CHEERS
Gav

 

[401KVet]

Thank You,

 

[Emtmike]

My '81 has the clearcoat on it, or had it . There are many ways of polishing those aluminum wheels, but the best way is the hardest way....start rubbing hnoes. Once you have them all polished up, just put a nice coat of wax on them, and the shine will last longer . Good Luck!

 

[401KVet]

I guess mine has the clearcoat also. Do you think I should remove it?

 

[Shaggyvette]

YES!

 

[Rodney Gold]

I eventually ended up taking mine to a pro outfit, cost me around $30 per wheel including a powder baked clear coat and some rim nicks repaired.

 

[401KVet]

Hood adjustment needed.

;helpI have noticed that the hood in the front where it comes to a point in the middle, down by the headlights is about a 1/4 of a inch lower than it should be.
Can anyone explain to me what type of adjustment is needed and what needs to be adjusted.
If not, I may take it by a body shop one day next week and let them look at it.

Thanks to all,

 

[LVMYVT76]

Make sure that body REALLY knows corvettes!!!

 

[Chrisr]

I agree, remove the clearcoat!! When I had my C3, I took a wheel off the car, laid it down on the garage floor and carefully wiped it down with lacquer thinner. It may sound crazy, but it worked. Like I said, if you decide to go this route, just be carefull of the painted slots. Once the clearcoat is off, they came up really nice when polished.

 

[TOMMAY]

0000 Steel-wool and Mothers aluminum polish.

 

[401KVet]

Removing the clearcoat first right?
I am a dummy at this.
Thanks,

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...ive-discussion/94372-im-impressed-amazed.html

yeah! its a direct link to a differant thread click the link

 

[401KVet]

OK
Impressed/amazed at what. What did I do.

 

[stepho1975]

OK
Impressed/amazed at what. What did I do.

Its a link to another thread about cleaning aluminum wheels, the title of that thread is "Im impressed/amazed"

 

[grumpyvette]

Its a link to another thread about cleaning aluminum wheels, the title of that thread is
"Im impressed/amazed" (script)


http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...ive-discussion/94372-im-impressed-amazed.html
(LINK)

links are generally a differant color than normal post script/print