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Aluminum rims, how to clean them??? by JZeFF
Started on: 08-15-2007 11:13 PM
Replies: 8
Last post by: Oreif on 08-16-2007 04:15 PM
JZeFF
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Report this Post08-15-2007 11:13 PM Click Here to See the Profile for JZeFFSend a Private Message to JZeFFDirect Link to This Post
i just got a set of aluminum American racing rims and tires, the rims arent dented or pitted at all. The clear coat is peeling and they have a white powder under the peeling clear coat.

What can i do to clean them up?

i figured i would power wash them to get the clear coat off all the way, buy some aluminum polish of some sort, and get them re clear coated. This sound good?
What should i use to pollish them?
i would give picks of it but i cant get PIP to work, just don't understand it.

They were free, but they look really nice and the tires on them are mint. So i would really like to fix them up.

[This message has been edited by JZeFF (edited 08-15-2007).]

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Report this Post08-16-2007 12:06 AM Click Here to See the Profile for James Bond 007Send a Private Message to James Bond 007Direct Link to This Post
Just remember to use caution with all chemicals,because some rims are flash chromed,some wheel cleaners are so strong they actualley have acid in them and can eat through the chrome plateing.sorry my response didn't answer your question.I think you need to call a profesional sand blaster,who can use the correct type of blasting material,possibly water or bakeing soda.
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JZeFF
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Report this Post08-16-2007 01:35 AM Click Here to See the Profile for JZeFFSend a Private Message to JZeFFDirect Link to This Post
Maybe if i posted some pics could someone tell me how the rims were done, someone who knows something about the rims themselves... Maybe if someone could tell me the model of the rim i could do some research myself, but thanks for your advice. That might be what i end up needing to do.
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2.5
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Report this Post08-16-2007 08:11 AM Click Here to See the Profile for 2.5Send a Private Message to 2.5Direct Link to This Post
I'm pretty sure once the clear coat is peeling you need to rub it all off with some sort of polish, or maybe steel wool and recoat it. Maybe someone knows what to use.
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rogergarrison
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Report this Post08-16-2007 12:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for rogergarrisonSend a Private Message to rogergarrisonDirect Link to This Post
You need paint stripper to take the clearcoat off. I do it, then just polish the alumunium back up with something like Mothers Mag Wheel Polish. I NEVER reclear them. It will only do the same thing again sooner or later. I just keep the wheels clean and polished. I use all my cars all year round in the snow and ice and keeping them clean is all it takes. with no clear on them, you can always wet sand nicks or scratches back out and repolish them. Polished and bare can look as good as chrome with a little work.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 08-16-2007).]

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Francis T
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Report this Post08-16-2007 01:02 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Francis TClick Here to visit Francis T's HomePageSend a Private Message to Francis TDirect Link to This Post
If they dont have clear coat on them, use mother's billet polish on them. they will look like morrors!

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Austrian Import
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Report this Post08-16-2007 01:40 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Austrian ImportSend a Private Message to Austrian ImportDirect Link to This Post
One of the things that works wonders is the wheel cleaner sold at CostCo. It comes as a set with 3 tyre cleaners. :-( (Used to come as a "car care set" in a big black bucket with shamois, car wash, interior and exterior cleaners, non-ammonia glass cleaner, etc. Should have bought another set back then.) I haven't found it by itself yet and I've looked everywhere. I did that to one my rims on my old car and they've stayed shiny for 8 months. Rest of the car started to get dirty, but rims stayed shiny. Maybe part of it was that I applied it liberally.

-M

[This message has been edited by Austrian Import (edited 08-16-2007).]

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Fiero Thomas
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Report this Post08-16-2007 02:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Fiero ThomasSend a Private Message to Fiero ThomasDirect Link to This Post
Here is how I did mine with photos and step by step instructions


http://www.fieronews.net/fu...le.php?article_id=23

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Oreif
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Report this Post08-16-2007 04:15 PM Click Here to See the Profile for OreifClick Here to visit Oreif's HomePageSend a Private Message to OreifDirect Link to This Post
Permatex Spray-on Gasket Remover will remove the clearcoat easily.
Then you can sand down the machine marks on the surface and edge of the wheel.
Start with 220 grit then 400 grit then 600 grit. (you can even go up to 1200 grit if you want it to look chromed)
Polish the wheel using Mother Aluminum Polish and they will look highly polished.

Here is how I did mine:
Oreif's GT wheels

[This message has been edited by Oreif (edited 08-16-2007).]

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