Polishing aluminum wheels questions
#1
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Polishing aluminum wheels questions
got me some 17 X 10 Boyd Smoothie II's on the way..
have a few question about wheel care as all ive ever had was chrome.
1)What is everyone using as far as polishing the wheels. i have some mothers mag / aluminum polish that i use on my prostars? anything out on the shelves better??
2) once i get the wheel clean and polished up nicely can the wheel be waxed with regular car wax..ie Gold class. to provide some protection for them?
3) what about the clear coat in a can. how well does this stuff work. seems like i could get the them polished up nicely, wax them with some gold class and then spray the clear coat on them and be set for a few months..
anyone have some other advice for me??
Jeff W
have a few question about wheel care as all ive ever had was chrome.
1)What is everyone using as far as polishing the wheels. i have some mothers mag / aluminum polish that i use on my prostars? anything out on the shelves better??
2) once i get the wheel clean and polished up nicely can the wheel be waxed with regular car wax..ie Gold class. to provide some protection for them?
3) what about the clear coat in a can. how well does this stuff work. seems like i could get the them polished up nicely, wax them with some gold class and then spray the clear coat on them and be set for a few months..
anyone have some other advice for me??
Jeff W
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Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
When I bought my Boyd's, I emailed them and asked what they recommended. Their answer was "Heavy Metal" polishes. I use them now, and they rock.
http://www.brilexsolutions.com/page6.html
good luck,
Shane
http://www.brilexsolutions.com/page6.html
good luck,
Shane
#5
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Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
The regular Mothers polish you have is great. The Billet cost's more and some people say it shines a little better but for the amount of polishing you'll need (if the car is daily driven) I think you would better off with the regular Mothers polish.
#6
Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
I drive on my iForged wheels everday, therefore I polish the wheels about every 2 weeks to keep it looking presentable (to me).
The best thing I have found for polishing wheels is Mothers Billet, hands down. If you do have a clear coat do not use metal polishes as they are abrasive and will damage the clearcoat.
I have found that polishing the wheels just after washing them (while they're still wet), allows me to remove the polish really easy using the same wash mit I used to wash them. Once I dry the car, I go over them with some Z2 and they're good to go for another 2 weeks. The Zaino seems to help with preventing water spots and oxidation on the aluminum.
The best thing I have found for polishing wheels is Mothers Billet, hands down. If you do have a clear coat do not use metal polishes as they are abrasive and will damage the clearcoat.
I have found that polishing the wheels just after washing them (while they're still wet), allows me to remove the polish really easy using the same wash mit I used to wash them. Once I dry the car, I go over them with some Z2 and they're good to go for another 2 weeks. The Zaino seems to help with preventing water spots and oxidation on the aluminum.
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#8
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Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
I bought a cheap drill from wallyworld and a polish kit from a local hot rod show. I used this setup on my polished ZR1's. I have pictures of them on my site (they're lower on the page). I recently upgraded to chrome ones .
I have a new set of Bogarts on the way, I plan to use www.zoopseal.com on them. I'll let you know how it works.
I have a new set of Bogarts on the way, I plan to use www.zoopseal.com on them. I'll let you know how it works.
#10
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Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
Ya'll just need to have them powdercoated clear. Never have to use polishes again, just soap and water
#11
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Re: Polishing aluminum wheels questions
I have seenread of powdercoated clear ones that look like mirrors. I guess it depends on who you take it to. If you can find someone that can do it and have no loss of shine it'd be worth it's weight in gold.
Or just have them cleared.
Or just have them cleared.
#16
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I use Wenol polish. I got turned onto the brand when I bought my Weld Wheels on a Camaro I once owned. I use the light blue tube during the course of the year, and the orange tube at the first sight of Spring (it's a little harsher and removes the baked on road salt). I used to coat them with a thin layer of Wax (Wax Shop), but found that they looked better without the wax.
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Clear Coat in the can is the worst thing you can do to your wheels
as it will take away the shine and any abrasion will cause the clearcoat to chip.
Clear Coat is good for little parts i.e brake caliper brackets
Before I deploy in Sept I am planing on zoop sealing my Smoothie II
as it will take away the shine and any abrasion will cause the clearcoat to chip.
Clear Coat is good for little parts i.e brake caliper brackets
Before I deploy in Sept I am planing on zoop sealing my Smoothie II
#18
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Originally Posted by WILWAXU
I spoke to 4 different powdercoating shops. All of them say the clear powdercoat is not perfectly clear and leaves what looks like a haze on the wheels.
http://members.aol.com/bergerrefinis...02/berger.html
#20
Im going to chime in with my 2 cents since i powdercoat for a living here in houston..
"I spoke to 4 different powdercoating shops. All of them say the clear powdercoat is not perfectly clear and leaves what looks like a haze on the wheels."
Those people must be idiots then because the clear coat i use has 95-100% gloss and would never leave a haze if it did i would name it haze coat.. and also the clear coat that i use is 100% UV protectant that means that no UV light damages yoru chrome and makes it fade and corrode..
"They are correct.....you can never beat the brilliance of a polished alum. rim with one that has been clear-coated or powder-coated"
I disagree with that you can get the same look with less cleaning because powdercoating is painting just a different form and jus tlike paint you can clean it wet sand it clay it whatever you want..
I have clearcoated and powdercoated hundreds of parts and I have had classic car guys bring me chrome fresh from packaging and have it clearcoated because it protects the chrome from rusting, corroding and fading.. But it is all in who you choose because some people might not use grade A powder and some people may not really know how to 'powdercoat' as far as preperation and what not..
"I spoke to 4 different powdercoating shops. All of them say the clear powdercoat is not perfectly clear and leaves what looks like a haze on the wheels."
Those people must be idiots then because the clear coat i use has 95-100% gloss and would never leave a haze if it did i would name it haze coat.. and also the clear coat that i use is 100% UV protectant that means that no UV light damages yoru chrome and makes it fade and corrode..
"They are correct.....you can never beat the brilliance of a polished alum. rim with one that has been clear-coated or powder-coated"
I disagree with that you can get the same look with less cleaning because powdercoating is painting just a different form and jus tlike paint you can clean it wet sand it clay it whatever you want..
I have clearcoated and powdercoated hundreds of parts and I have had classic car guys bring me chrome fresh from packaging and have it clearcoated because it protects the chrome from rusting, corroding and fading.. But it is all in who you choose because some people might not use grade A powder and some people may not really know how to 'powdercoat' as far as preperation and what not..