Cleaning nasty aluminum wheels

This is @Mike2633 territory. He's our resident detailing expert.

 

I don't like dura bright they look good from far away but when you look closer they aren't really shiny i mean they don't have the mirror shine finish.

 

I sent mine of to the polishing shop next to the flying J in Twin Falls, $80, iIIRC, and they look new.

 

This rim started life with a machine (lines) finish. Sanded out nicely

 

I use paint remover, let it sit for a few then wash it off. Buff it out. Looks like new when your done. Use the mothers ball

 

Depends on what you have or what you are willing to spend.

First Choice:
A yellow 10" airway buffer wheel and brown rouge bar.
or you could do it in stages with something like https://zephyrpro40.com/buffing-kit...ing-wheels/165-super-shine-polishing-kit.html

If you go this route, I would suggest watching some "Tony metal art" videos some show the whole process of how to do it.
There are some videos that show you how to sand the aluminium first and with what grits. Others on the acid bath method. Personally, I would not use either method unless I was going to be doing the actual buff like Tony does, any other method (hand, orbital) is really hard to get the shine back after acid, or hard to get the scratches out.

Honestly though, with just that kit gives amazing results. Just depends on the condition of the aluminium, pitted needs sanding, 20 years of diesel fuel and grease sitting on this needs acid


Second Choice:
Not as nice of a shine as the first choice but, I have some pretty shiny rims and fuel tanks thanks to
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mothers-Mag-and-Aluminum-Polish/15137634
and orbital buffer. Could be done by hand alone but much faster with a machine!



Just be sure to seal all your hard work after you're done.

 

Neat trick after you're done polishing, & you have that black stuff to wipe off.. white towel dusted with CORNSTARCH. One wipe & DONE. Shake out the towel, more cornstarch....next wheel. Don't worry about the residue...drive around the block!

 

We used to have this acid stuff that you diluted with water, sprayed on and waited about 30 seconds, then rinsed off with a hose. It worked fantastic unless you left it on too long. Then you had streaks that were there permanently. I wish I could remember what it was called but I know it's still out there!

 

@Bdog where are you located?
@STexan Durabrights look good for maybe a year, then the coating gets pitted giving the appearance of a dull wheel. My trailer used to have them. I paid to have the coating sanded off and the wheels polished in Fresno.

I like shiny wheels........

 

Of course as a finishing touch add some turtle wax jet black tire coat to those tires.
@Long FLD it took me a second to notice the driver in that picture, nice truck btw.

 

Are you able to determine the condition of the aluminum?
Pitted, corroded, gouges, major scrapes/scratches?
Any of those conditions will require more time and effort, which I'm thinkin' you're already aware of.
How shiny do you want 'em to be?
Hand polished?
Machine polished, ---
Bright?
Mirror?
Take into consideration where you'll be draggin' your step deck.
If it'll see off-road use, a mirror shine probably wouldn't be practical.

Besides lookin' great, polished aluminum and stainless steel make a statement, Y'all take pride in your ride.
Y'all never get a second chance to make a first impression.
,

If the rims haven't had any, or much, attention in 10 years and are pretty crudded-up, I doubt the average parkin' lot polisher is up to the task of restoration, and if they are capable, I doubt the cost would be only twenty bucks. Machine polishers used to charge ten bucks if they had to change polishin' wheels to use a different polishin' compound. Twenty bucks a wheel if they're in reasonably decent condition, sounds 'bout right. If you can find a hand willin' to do what it takes to do crudded wheels, --- and do 'em right, for $20, you'd be gettin' a bargain. Don't pay 'em or let 'em leave 'till they're finished though, --- they might just take off after a wheel or two. If they flat don't know what they're doin', they could do damage that may be difficult to correct, if it can be.

I can pretty much guarantee that after doin' one or two wheels yourself, you'll appreciate what a good polisher does. If y'all see a polisher who seems to enjoy what they do, --- that's the one to hire. The ones who tell you that they'll git-er-dun real fast, tell 'em, no, ..... thanks. Maybe flash 'em a smile.

What condition were the wheels in before you took them in, and how many wheels were polished for eighty bucks? If that's the cost for a six-pack, that ain't bad.
Just the wheels without the tires mounted, .... right?

They look great.
Just twixt you-'n-me, does it kinda irk you when somebody complements your "chrome" wheels?