will this come off?

[Sonders]

I have a set of Eagle Alloy rims I made the mistake of running through the winter last year. Not making the same mistake this year and pulled them off yesterday. I have begun to try and polish them back up w/ some mothers mag & alum polish and a power ball. I was able to get some shine back to them but there are still some imperfections in the wheels. Will I be able to get this out with my current method of polishing or do I need something different?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/bsonner/2010/IMG_0176.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/bsonner/2010/IMG_0177.jpg

[Tweaks]

Looks like pitting oxidation. You might want to go a step stronger in the polishing. You can use steel wool dipped in metal polish of your choice to break up all those specs of oxidation. Another method would be to wetsand with 1500 grit and then follow that up with the powerball polishing method.

Regardless, this is going to take some time so find a method that you are comfortable with and steadily work at it over the course of the winter because if you are anything like me, you will get sick of the process after the first wheel, so pace yourself. They will look good as new once you are done.

[Sonders]

thanks alot Tweaks, I knew I shoulda just pm'ed you directly for an answer haha. I have a bunch of 0000 steel wool layin around so I guess I'll give that a try w/ the polish first.

[Tweaks]

thanks alot Tweaks, I knew I shoulda just pm'ed you directly for an answer haha. I have a bunch of 0000 steel wool layin around so I guess I'll give that a try w/ the polish first.


You're very welcome. I've been there and done that with aluminum wheels. Sounds like you have the supplies to get great results. I tear off a little section of steel wool that I can pinch between my thumb, index, and middle finger and dab that steel wool in the polish and then work a small section at a time. You'll quickly find out how much time it takes to get rid of the oxidation and start moving on to the rest of the wheel.

[canuckz71]

Try #0000 steel wool with a foaming glass cleaner for lubrication. It works fairly well and then power ball them again.

[Tweaks]

Try #0000 steel wool with a foaming glass cleaner for lubrication. It works fairly well and then power ball them again.

Probably the ammonia in the glass cleaner doing the work with the steel wool. Most aluminum polishes are ammonia based so that would make sense that glass cleaner would also help with the removal of oxidation. Couldn't hurt to try it.

[tahoemetalman]

i use heavy rubbing compoud on my set works great

[Tweaks]

i use heavy rubbing compoud on my set works great

I've had great results with that too and because it lacks ammonia, it doesn't sting the nostrils.

[Sonders]

Try #0000 steel wool with a foaming glass cleaner for lubrication. It works fairly well and then power ball them again.

I'll give it a try......hell I have all winter. What is the heavy rubbing compound you're talking about tahoemetalman? Like the same stuff you use for scratches in paint or is there a different type specifically for bare metal?

[nhl_bullitt]

Sometimes are very fine sandpaper can be used (maybe wet sand), then of course the wheels will need to be polished after wards.

[tahoemetalman]

I've had great results with that too and because it lacks ammonia, it doesn't sting the nostrils.

well said

[tahoemetalman]

I'll give it a try......hell I have all winter. What is the heavy rubbing compound you're talking about tahoemetalman? Like the same stuff you use for scratches in paint or is there a different type specifically for bare metal?

ya just the same stuff you use for painted surfaces.... the kand i have is heavy duty works great you can get it anywhere