Polshed Rim

[2360]

It was a lot of sanding and rubbing, but I like the look of this polished rim.

 

 

:chillin:

[500 MJ]

Looks GREAT. Did it have any corrosion on it when you started?

[2360]

Did it have any corrosion on it when you started?

 

I grabbed 4 rims from pick n pull, as I recall it was one of corroded ones

and that coating they put on the factory doesn't come off that easy.

 

 

 

I'm using this pic on my desktop.

[dfreeman616]

wow, that almost makes me think those stock 5-stars might be worth more than scrap...nice job.

[87Warrior]

Would you mind giving us a bit of detail in how you did that? I don't really know how to work with aluminum but would love to resurrect my tired stock wheel. I also have a set of Rubi Moabs that need saved.

 

Thanks!

[Sir Sam]

just google polishing aluminum, when don't correctly it looks like chrome.

[2360]

Would you mind giving us a bit of detail in how you did that?

 

I got the rims last fall to replace the stock steel rims.

 

I didn't have a set procedure.

 

Basically, you've got to get those small ridges smoothed out flat, that's the hard part.

 

Sort of experimented to what works or not.

 

I think I used a wire wheel, might of tried paint remover, could of used a sander on the flatter spots, probably at some point applied aluminum polish and lots of labour.

 

The other day I bought a cloth polish wheel that fits on a drill, so I tried that with aluminum polish and that brought it up to a high gloss.

 

I was looking at my truck at some distance and that wheel looks totally awesome compared to the untouched factory rim.

 

 

:banana:

 

 

Here's the rim I polished, doesn't look coroded.

[cody4359]

i havent done it but i use to live out in the sticks, and the rumor was to keep your polished wheels looking highly polished the log truck drivers would get a cloth polish wheel, but insead of using polishing compound they would use flour. i have a set of aluminum wheels i might just try that on now.

[fiatslug87]

Looks great. Are you thinking of spraying it with clear since aluminum oxidizes quite rapidly?

[2360]

I did consider that option, decided against it.

 

I doubt spraying a clear coat would look as good as just polished and the time to repolish shouldn't take that long.

 

Plus repeating the polish process would probably just make the rim shine better.

[Sir Sam]

I think if you repeated the process you could get it to look even better, polished aluminum can really be sharp:

 

 

More performance car guys with aluminum intake polish them up, I kinda always wanted to polish a 99+ XJ intake manifold.

[HOrnbrod]

I kinda always wanted to polish a 99+ XJ intake manifold.

 

Yeah, thought long and hard about that Sam, but decided to just get it blasted back to the natural "as cast" finish on mine. Haven't ever seen one polished and installed. It is a rough casting and would require a lot of material removal........

[Sir Sam]

I kinda always wanted to polish a 99+ XJ intake manifold.

 

Yeah, thought long and hard about that Sam, but decided to just get it blasted back to the natural "as cast" finish on mine. Haven't ever seen one polished and installed. It is a rough casting and would require a lot of material removal........

 

That 300zx manifold I posted is just a rough to start with, have to start with a 80 grit flap wheel and work it down.

 

Just think, stainless header, polished manifold, polished thermostat housing, polished AC compressor, polished AC compressor bracket, painted block..........would look sweet.

[Blue88Comanche]

your 300zx? what year?

[Sir Sam]

your 300zx? what year?

 

Thats not my manifold I posted a picture of, I have one I started polishing down years back, but never finished.

 

I have a 93 convertible TT and a 96 TT.

[treklight]

Is that the cash cab comanche??? Me like :D