polishing old rims?

L

loodi

New member
14inch BMW original rims dated 1978. the BMW classic BBS style.



now, the spokes are very tight. cant fit a finger between them. and the oxydation level is just overwhelming even for my strongest acid.



i have to polish them to perfection cause its a complete restoration of a old 6series that is going to shows so it has to be absolutely perfect.



gotta admit, im a little...scared:

the original finish of those alluminum rims is around 40gloss. the owner wants them to be polished to look like chromed.



but how do i reach all those tight spaces between the spokes? sanding by hand all 4 of them completely from 120gritt up?

isnt there a shortcut to do it? like... a very agressive polishing paste that could do all the job in one step? like... the 3m trizact paste on the meguiars cone sponge for wheel polishing? would that do anything?



the reason im looking for a shortcut is not lazyness at all, dont worry, but only limited time. i have to detail the whole car and complete the wheels till this sunday then its going for its first award, hopefully. its in perfect condition so i have 20hrs max on the car itself, but those wheels are already giving me serious headaches...



please help... :Cry:
 
If you had some of the correct acid, if you first stripped them with Chevron Aircraft stripper before using the acid, and the right tools, etc, you would probably have around 5 to 6 hours per wheel to get them even close to what he expects.

Grumpy
 
I've been trying to find smaller foam wheels for ages, and can't find anything but the felt buffing wheels in smaller sizes.
 
just because they are aluminum doesn't mean that they'll polish up to look like chrome. if he wants them to look like chrome maybe he should just send them out and have them chromed. if your still going the polish route small abrasive rolls are what you'll need. here's a couple of places that you can get worthy supplies and knowledge from Bright Works, Inc. Metal Polishing and Buffing Supplies and Equipment, How to Book and DVD on custom metal polishing, USA and Metal polish for aluminum, silver, brass, chrome, stainless steel, copper and bronze from English Custom Polishing.. i've dealt with both of them when i was good to strip and polish a set of wheel. both of them make there living polishing metal.
 
Thanks for the link!

I have been looking this line, as while the use of stick rouge has been great for most of the parts I restore, need a bit finer for some.

Also have not been able to source those 6" wheels around here.

Have three brass props in the process of doing right now(will be mounted on oak plates) and an antique brass fish stand to do later.

People in this area have been looking for someone to restore old things of brass/copper and bronze, so been making some nice cash.

Most I have told them to hold off until winter as I can do them in the shop when I can't do painting, and such.

Grumpy
 
just because they are aluminum doesn't mean that they'll polish up to look like chrome.
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ok, NOW im really worried...



so...threw some acid on them, came out as a good, promising base for the next step. the owner said that if it comes out its not possible to polish them entirely, then only the lip and the face of the wheel will be enough to do the job.

seems like a traditional buffing wheel will have to be took into consideration. oh well, off to the sanding...
 
Hope the guy's wants aren't gonna be "concours-incorrect". People overpolish stuff and it can cost them points (besides making the car simply "look wrong").
 
Accumulator said:
Hope the guy's wants aren't gonna be "concours-incorrect". People overpolish stuff and it can cost them points (besides making the car simply "look wrong").
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ya, agree polished wheels would not be period correct for that car. but the op didn't state what type of shows the owner will be showing at.
 
yes, he is aware of that possible problem, but he wants to take the risk. after all, his philosophy is that cars are made to be driven and modified as you like, not as it should be done. i believe he only wants to show off with it a bit, hes not going after some prizes.
 
loodi- Roger that. While I can be a bit of an originality freak now and then, anybody who's having fun with an older 6 series gets a big :xyxthumbs from me! Those are just *such* beautiful cars, and sweet to drive in that old-timey-Bimmer way.
 
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