Polishing stock wheels

[Alfonso Gomez]

My 87 Coupe has the factory wheels. I removed the clearcoat because it was chipped and discolored. They look nice but not shiny enough. The surface has swirl marks that you can feel if you run your fingernails across the surface. I have seen these swirls in all 87 Corvette wheels. I would like to polish them to a mirror-like finish. How do I go about this? Has anybody done this before? Recently I saw another Coupe with the same set of wheels but they were so shiny they looked chromed. The owner told me they were not chromed but polished. He bought the car that way and has no idea how they were polished. Any help?
Thank you.

 

[Vettelt193]

you can pay someone to do it... typically it would run about $100 per wheel to have them polished. to do the job you need some good polishing tools, and it is a multi-step process.

 

[JonM]

I sanded mine starting with 600 ending up with 1500 grit (use powertools) ...then tossed some Mothers Aluminum Wheel Glaze on them...I could almost shave in the reflection.

 

[oldace84]

Al,
I use the Busch Aluminum Polish......shines like crazy.....bought it at Ecklers......
Also bought the Busch Sealer.....
SHINE....SHINE....SHINE....
tony

 

[Hotred94]

Hey Tony,

Did you do something to your side vents to make them stand out like they do in your picture?

Ron

 

[88canadianvette]

how i did mine.

#1. removed all the clear coat.

#2. rubbed and rubbed the wheel with 2000 ultra fine steel wool.

#3. polished with "mothers" aluminum polish.[walmart 8 bucks]

end result was a aluminum wheel that looks like chrome. good luck.

 

[Alfonso Gomez]

A friend of mine used this method: 1- Removed the clearcoat usig gel paint remover bought at a hardware store. 2- Jacked up the rear of the car (both wheels in the air, 2-3 inches from the floor. 3- Removed rear wheel center caps. 4- Put on heavy duty leather work gloves and wheel chucks in front wheels. 5- Started the engine and put the transmission in DRIVE. 6- Used steel wool on rear wheels until factory "swirl" marks dissapeared. 7- Used metal polish until he obtained chrome-like finish. 8- Stopped the engine, removed rear wheels, lifted front end and installed front wheels on rear. 9- Repeated steps 1 to 7. Scary, uh?:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek

 

[Hotred94]

What's scary is using steel wool on aluminum. :eek I would not recommend using any steel product on aluminum. What happens is that the harder steel imbeds little particles in the soft aluminum and then rusts, turning your aluminum a soft brown color.

 

[88canadianvette]

ultra fine 2000 grit steel wool didnt turn my wheels brown, [ in fact on the label it says 2000 grit is ideal for buffing aluminum]..probally cause it doest leave any particles and there sure isnt any after u buff the heck outta them with aluminum polish. id post a pic of my wheels but the size is too big of a file.

 

[Mad-Mic]

88Canadianvette,

email me those pics and i'll resize them and post them for you.

madmic@cablespeed.com

BTW i'd like to see them myself

 

[88canadianvette]

ive sent you my pics for resizing.



http://www.englishcustompolishing.com/usca/polishingtips.html

 

[Mad-Mic]

here's the rim and she looks sharp!

 

[WhalePirot]

pic post

Now, why can I not attach a pic to help certain discussions?ad
mike

 

[Mad-Mic]

need to resize it then attach it. after that what i do is put the IMG tags on it by editing it and it will show up on the post so you don't have to click on image post

 

[Bonnell]

My wheels are on in the opposite direction from the one shown. Am I backwards?

 

[Mad-Mic]

Bonnell,

i couldn't tell you that. that was not my car and rim i just resized it and posted the pic for a member here. it "could" be either right or left side. not too sure with the car cover on it like it is

 

[88canadianvette]

its the front right wheel.