How can I clean these Rallye Wheels?

[NU2VETTES]

How can you clean 1979 Rallye wheels with years of oxidation on them without harming them? Short of taking sandpaper to them nothing seems to work. Buying new ones is out of the question right now --- is there something that will get these rims clean again?

 

[pasvorto]

I use Mother's on mine

 

[Yoda]

Short of using chemicals, I've had great success with a bar of LAVA soap and cotton cloth, then Mothers Paste Wax/Polish(?)

Bud

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Ralley wheels are stamped steel wheels painted silver with a trim ring and center cap added afterwards. I think what you have are cast alloy wheels, not ralleys. If the aluminum has lost it's clear coating and is now oxidized, there's not much you can do with them on the car to bring them back to perfection. Most cities have companies that specialize in restoring alloy wheels, have a look in the phone book.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

How can you clean 1979 Rallye wheels with years of oxidation on them without harming them? Short of taking sandpaper to them nothing seems to work. Buying new ones is out of the question right now --- is there something that will get these rims clean again?

If they are indeed aluminum wheels, believe it or not you CAN use sandpaper on them to clean off the oxide and sand down the pitting. Start with 320 grit to get the rough stuff off and then re-sand progressively with 400, then 800 and then start using polishing compound from Sears. Start with the black or brown "tripoli" compound which is very rough and then use a good polish like nev'rdull or semichrome or Wizards with a buffing ball on a power drill to finish them off to a brilliant lustre.

 

[mytoy]

78 wheels did not use clear coat on them not sure about the 79, I use mothers on mine, Eastwood has different products to clean them, If I remember right if you clean them with mothers aluminum polish if the rag turns black , they don;t have clear coat on them and you can clean them, hope this helps