Polishing

Looks nice in the pics. If you really want to get that mirror shine I would pull the wheels off and start with a 400 grit sand than repeat with 800. It's the only way i have found you'll get the oxidation out.

 

I would try flashing them with brightener. That should get rid of the oxidation and calcium chloride film. It will not remove any pits. 400 grit is pretty light so it probably will do the same job. Nice truck, even nicer to see someone taking pride in their ride.

 

After polishing, use a rag & cornstarch to remove the black residue. No rubbing, couple of wipes, yer done. Shake out rag...repeat.

 

Admiral, aluminum brightener will take the oxidation away, a lot. Please tell me where it's available? Thx, J

 

get a load to Houston, we got a shop down here that will take your wheels off, remove the tires and put the rims on a machine that will buff and polish to a like new finish and remount everything for 75$ a piece. might be a little pricey but will give you a great starting point. easier to maintain.

 

@Starboyjim Napa or most boating supply stores will have brightener

 

I wouldn't screw with brightener, get yourself a good (I use a milwakee) 6000 rpm grinder zypher wheels and rouge bars and buff them dirty process but it's a lot faster than anything else I have done. I can buff a wheel on the steer to the same shine you have from a completely oxidized wheel in a about 5 minutes and that's using a heavy cutting bar.

When it comes to polishing there's a few things to remember sanding isn't necessarily for removing oxidation, it's to remove the pitting to get a smooth surface. Most start with 120 and work to 320 then buff. I start with 240 and go all the way to 1200 before I even think about picking up the grinder to start cutting.

there's many polishes out there most are abrasive which is why you take them off with a microfiber towel I use pro40 seems to work well and it seems to be quick I use an air sander to apply it with a wool bonnet and take it off with a clean bonnet. I've polished my truck for a long time and it's due again but I dread it every time I buff it. Start to finish is from about 6 am to 9 but it looks better than half the polishing shops do around here.

I'm picky when it comes to my truck, I want it done right, you can do coloring as well I don't, I don't really ever see that much difference between the final finish and using the blue moon coloring bar to mine.

Only issue one has to worry about is valve stems on wheels and if the truck has chicken lights remove the wiring prior to polishing or drop the tanks completely off the truck and polish them on saw horses. I made the mistake of tying the wiring up one day wasn't paying attention and caught a loop ripped a 70 inch section of harness out, by the time the grinder stopped I had about 15 welts on my arms, and I've still got the scar from the gash the wire left probably still have a couple strands of wire in my arm as well.

Never had a problem since as I simply remove the harness but I also am picky with wiring and all my harnesses are quick connect (weather packed now aside from the fender guards and bumper which I need to rewire)

Oh and remember looking cool ain't cheap and looking cheap ain't cool...the wheels rouge and polish don't come at a cheap price I've probably got $400 wrapped up just in polish, bars, and wheels.

 

Well get on up here I'm starting on my truck this weekend lol...nice looking truck op !