Ever restore your own aluminum wheels?

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pippo

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use a good quality polish such as Mothers or Meguiars and a drill with a polishing ball. There are tons of videos on youtube on restoring wheels but make sure you dont use any chemicals that will damage the painted surfaces on the wheels.
 
Tips.........

1) Check to see if they are clear coated, that might have to come off.

2) Yes they can be polished, alot of hard work.( I did on my 1st Gen Sunbird snowflake wheels)........or rough sanded or bead blasted.

3) You can paint them, i did on my Silverado's, I used an areasol etching primer first.

4) Alot of wheel paint kits out there in autoparts stores

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
Thanks, people. Yes, I did peek at some youtubes. They seemed to have a slant on using air wheels. With many somewhat "sharp" edges on our wheels I fear the air wheels will get destroyed easily. Guess I have to try it. They are not cheap.

I have one "guinea pig" wheel from junk yard, and experimanting on that first. It was coated with some kind of clear coating which now appears quite yellow. using 100 grit paper , by hand. Then down to 180, etc. So far so good. Yes, lots of time......
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I will not mess with the "inrterior" charcoal finish- I figure those surfaces are not so beat up, and just need some good soaping up. Too much work tackkling that, I figure there are about 32 surfaces. Sheesh. Who needs that!
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Tips.........

1) Check to see if they are clear coated, that might have to come off.

2) Yes they can be polished, alot of hard work.( I did on my 1st Gen Sunbird snowflake wheels)........or rough sanded or bead blasted.

3) You can paint them, i did on my Silverado's, I used an areasol etching primer first.

4) Alot of wheel paint kits out there in autoparts stores

Doug in P.R.:cool:
Click to expand...

But Doug, how can one paint them and not get the paint all over the inside charcoal edges?
 
melsg5 said:
use a good quality polish such as Mothers or Meguiars and a drill with a polishing ball. There are tons of videos on youtube on restoring wheels but make sure you dont use any chemicals that will damage the painted surfaces on the wheels.
Click to expand...

So then, how can one restore/refinish if you dont remove the painted finish? That finish BTW is so bad/and old- I have some oxidation as well- no way to expect keeping that old tired finish and not restore by removing scratches and oxidation. I dont understand. Also, I dont believe my year car has paint- just clear coat. I can see the aluminum.
 
pippo said:
But Doug, how can one paint them and not get the paint all over the inside charcoal edges?
Click to expand...

Carefull
masking!




I painted my snowflake wheels insides by small paint brush so I didn't have to mask all those nooks and crannies!

Doug in P.R,:cool:
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I spray painted my Silverado's wheels all black. The original finish was clear coated aluminum with grey painted inserts.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Carefull
masking!




I painted my snowflake wheels insides by small paint brush so I didn't have to mask all those nooks and crannies!

Doug in P.R,:cool:
Click to expand...

yikes. Masking all those surfaces?? I dunno. Too much for me maybe.....but thanks for the idea.
 
You can thin down Rustoleum oil based enamel in the pint can with mineral spirits so you don't get as many brush marks. Just thinned down enough to get 3 or 4 drips when you lift the mixing stick up . ( takes more coats though) Best to use 100% mineral spirits if you can find some with that method. A mini foam brush works too.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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92 Sunbird LE said:
You can thin down Rustoleum oil based enamel in the pint can with mineral spirits so you don't get as many brush marks. Just thinned down enough to get 3 or 4 drips when you lift the mixing stick up . ( takes more coats though) Best to use 100% mineral spirits if you can find some with that method. A mini foam brush works too.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
Click to expand...

Good idea, Doug. So, now Im debating- keep it polished (sand down the aluminum down to say, 400 grit paper finish, and keep that aluminum /metallic look) with polymer sealer/carnuba wax, or paint. What paint would you use? Keep in mind Id like something close to original look.

In previous post you mentioned some wheel paint kits. What comes in such a kit?

Thanks again!
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I just polished mine (Mothers), then a wax , and most paint kits come with some kind of clear coat and color.....never used one though.Just remember that spray cans need a lot of coats. I have had good luck with Rustoleum 2 X clear.........its UV resistant and non yellowing.........;) just can't hold the cans too close cause it makes pinholes. Just follow the directions on the can to a " T ";)

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
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Thanks, ol bud. I have a feeling this project will take longer than expected.........
 
Yeah, wheels do take a long time,,...........:) Its amazing how the subcontractor factories turned them out so fast for GM.

Doug in P.R.:cool:
 
Years ago I did mine wheels and I would carefully brush a bit of paint and varnish remover to remove the clearcoat. Then I just took wet sandpaper I used about 400 and 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper with water. Then I used Autosol https://www.autosol.com/product_p/1000.htm Metal polish and wax them yearly!
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