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Restoring Alloy Wheels?

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Gibbo Custom Title Time!

1,685 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#297211
Evening all,

I have just bought a nice set of rims that I wish to strip back the the bare ally, polish some parts and paint some others.

I also have to get rid of some of the scrapes and marks on them.

Anyone have any tips or tricks to doing it right?

I heard you need to wet sand the wheels first with 400 or 600 grit paper, then move up to 1000, then 1500. From there you can switch to an aluminum polish, either by hand or machine. Is this the way to go?

Thanks all.

Gib

sax Insano Dub Head

846 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#297220
It's like painting, start with 400 then 600, etc until smooth.
Fine steel wool comes next followed by autosol and buffing with a machine.

It depends on the type and quality of alloy as to how well it turns out.
Be prepared to spend a lot of time on it to get the best result, you will get them looking great but you must spend time.
" You're not a team player "

Gibbo Custom Title Time!

1,685 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#297229
Anyone know a paint remover thats safe to use on alloy wheels?

sax Insano Dub Head

846 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#297242
You could try citristrip. Not as brutal as some of the others.

But if the stripper stains the alloy you are polishing it all out anyway.

What is important is using the right primer/paint combo to repaint them. Non-ferrous metals require a different approach to steel.
" You're not a team player "

Gibbo Custom Title Time!

1,685 posts · joined Jun 2004 ·

#297311
Cool, ok I will do some more reasearch. Lots of reading, cheers!