Polishing Aluminum Wheels

[Bonnell]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 1988 vette with aluminum wheels. I like the look of the wheels but they are scared a little on the surface and look like they have dirt on them.

I asked a local company (rice rockets, etc.) about polishing them and they suggested that I remove them and strip the coating with airplane stripper then simply polish them

Surely there is a simpler way to polish these wheels myself - any ideas?

Thanks,

J

 

[The Car Whisperer]

You will definitely have to remove the clear coat to polish the Aluminum. I had my wheels refinished by a local refinisher, they CNC machined the wheel surface then refinished with clear powdercoat. They look great, but beware. There are a lot of pinholes in this series of wheels from 1984 to 1987. Sometimes they pop up and cause a defect under the finish as the road salt that is trapped in those pockets begins to migrate out under the finish. If you go to a reputable wheel refinisher they should gaurantee the finish for life against these kinds of problems.

 

[Bonnell]

Polishing Wheels

Thanks for the reply. I'd love to have the email that you mentioned. My email is: jbonnell2002@hotmail.com.

Thanks again.

 

[Bonnell]

Replies

Thanks to both of you for the replies. I may try to find a local dealer to refinish the wheels. Any idea what costs to expect if I let someone do this?

 

[evolution]

I am about to unertake the same project. I will do it myself and expect to save a lot of dough. Aircraft stipper isnt that expensive and a good polisher will bring you up to about $100.

IMHO, I think it is well worth it as a DIY project.

 

[bans25]

Car Whisperer, who is the local shop??

-Bill