2360 Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 It was a lot of sanding and rubbing, but I like the look of this polished rim. :chillin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500 MJ Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Looks GREAT. Did it have any corrosion on it when you started? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2360 Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfreeman616 Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 wow, that almost makes me think those stock 5-stars might be worth more than scrap...nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 just google polishing aluminum, when don't correctly it looks like chrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2360 Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody4359 Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Looks great. Are you thinking of spraying it with clear since aluminum oxidizes quite rapidly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2360 Posted July 27, 2011 Author Share Posted July 27, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 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........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 your 300zx? what year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treklight Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Is that the cash cab comanche??? Me like :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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