<FONT COLOR="blue">Has anyone any tips on what to use to polish out Aluminum rims?

I plan on leaving the wheel bare. Wondered if I should use a store bought arcrylic spray or take them to a paint shop and have them do it. Here's the kicker, LOW ON DINERO!!!

So all you DIY's please send me your best data.

I have a set of Rota Subzero's 15's. They were originally Black then repainted Bronze. I'll take a few pics tonight and post em up just to show you the progress. When they are done, they are going to set off my 4g4d really well.</FONT>

This pic is just the start. The outer wheel has leftover wheel paint, had to remove tires to really clean it up and prevent the aircraft stripper from eating into them.


The Finished Result...sorry for the low light..was going for effect.



Modified by EF4_Anthony at 2:59 PM 9/28/2005


Modified by EF4_Anthony at 4:33 PM 10/4/2005

 

i used some aircraft remover paint stripper to remove the paint, after any nicked up places or oxidation i used the finest 3m pad i could find then used 1500 grit and wet sanded the whole wheel then used some prep-all surface cleaner and used Duplicolor polurethane wheel paint clear coat, you can get all this stuff at wal mart, i had a hard time getting 3 cans of the paint though i had to go to an auto part store. the paint is much thicker and heavier than standard clear spray, it comes out whiteish but dries clear make sure you do it on a non-humid day so it dry's shiny also only sand in one direction( left and right or up and down)otherwise it will have ## marks

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1259115

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crx Jimmy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i used some aircraft remover paint stripper to remove the paint, after any nicked up places or oxidation i used the finest 3m pad i could find then used 1500 grit and wet sanded the whole wheel then used some prep-all surface cleaner and used Duplicolor polurethane wheel paint clear coat, you can get all this stuff at wal mart, i had a hard time getting 3 cans of the paint though i had to go to an auto part store. the paint is much thicker and heavier than standard clear spray, it comes out whiteish but dries clear make sure you do it on a non-humid day so it dry's shiny also only sand in one direction( left and right or up and down)otherwise it will have ## marks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks,
I'll have to go with this one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crx Jimmy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i used some aircraft remover paint stripper to remove the paint, after any nicked up places or oxidation i used the finest 3m pad i could find then used 1500 grit and wet sanded the whole wheel then used some prep-all surface cleaner and used Duplicolor polurethane wheel paint clear coat...</TD></TR></TABLE>

sounds good, can you post a pic of how it turned out? The reason I ask is because I have the same rims as the original poster and If I could change the color....ummm...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1990hondaHF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

sounds good, can you post a pic of how it turned out? The reason I ask is because I have the same rims as the original poster and If I could change the color....ummm... </TD></TR></TABLE>


new pic just added.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EF4_Anthony &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">new pic just added.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I cant tell from this pic but were you able to get all the scuffs and nicks out of the wheel?

 

Man, that DIY was weak. don't stop at 1500 grit. Go up to 2000 minimum.
Wetsand with **soapy** water.
After you're done sanding for real, clean it all down with alcohol to get all grease etc. oil off of them.
Mothers aluminum wheel polish does the job, just to it all by hand. Screw blocks, buffers etc. A fine touch is only done by hand.

Unless you need to smooth down the wheel don't start with so low of a grit of paper. You're just creating scratches you'll have to sand out with higher grits of paper.
Like in my link, I began with 1500 grit. I didn't strip the wheels yet, but that was just b/c I was goofin off with some new materials.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Smokinsax &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I cant tell from this pic but were you able to get all the scuffs and nicks out of the wheel?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, its a very smooth surface. The first pic is only the rough finish, it has paint on the lip. I just got through removing the tire to prevent the stripping agent from burning the rubber. These wheels have no nicks on them at all. They are very clean. When I get a chance i'll improve on the shot and take better pic. These babies shine, I love these wheels now. won't ever get rid of them. There is no need for sanding them down. The machined finished is left untouched when I stripped them. Just a light touch of steel wool and then washed them up and finally took the wheel cleaner/polish and they are perfect. Later I will add a protectant so that I don't have to clean them so much.

 

lookin good anthony...let me know if u want some help, ill come down on the weekend sometime n lend a hand

 

peep this bros

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1279884

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxmadman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">peep this bros

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1279884</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice job.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DUFFM4N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lookin good anthony...let me know if u want some help, ill come down on the weekend sometime n lend a hand</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks Ed.

I'll keep that in mind. I have the remaining two to go. I wanna get this done ASAP.