Best products/process to clean and polish aluminum wheels?

D

DIESEL RACER

New member
On my personal truck (see pics) the factory aluminum wheels are oxidizing and starting to dull. I was wondering what product(s) you guys would recommend to polish them back to a mirror finish? Or if it's even possible to get them back? What's the best process to use?

The wheels appear to be clear coated from the factory if that makes a difference. The coating is starting to flake off.

Any tips or advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Ken
 
I use Flitz Metal Polish (Ace Hardware or www.premiumautocare.com) with a terry applicator (more bite than MF). You will probably need 1 applicator per rim. I remove with an MF towel.

Of the 3 or 4 metal polishes I have tried, this one has superceded in all aspects.


It will work on painted/clearcoated surfaces as well, but if you have a general paint polish, that would work as well.

As far as clearcoat chipping, you will need them refinished from a body shop first. The polish is only going to abrade the clear away even more.
 
if the clear is already chipping the only way to get a really good mirror finish is to use a stripper and strip off the clear. Your can use something like zip strip, or i think its called aviation stripper. The aluminum under that will be in good shape and then you can polish it with your favorite metal polish. Then you can use a sealer wax on it to help hold the shine longer
 
Is stripping the clear off something that I can do myself? (basic detailing knowledge), and can I polish the rims back to a mirror finish, or is that something best left to a professional?
 
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