My dad gave me 4 rims but they are pretty beat up. What is the best way to clean them? I would like to shine up the outside rim and paint the spokes and lug nut area. Pics can be found at http://community.webshots.com/album/120521285rzMMql

 

Those are nice lookin' rims, but they will need a fair amount of work to regain their former "glory." The aluminum looks oxidized, but fortunately it can be polished. I'm not talking about polished by hand, but machine polished. With the proper buffing wheel and compound they will come back just fine.

They are in such rough shape, that I recommend you take them to a local car wash or detailing shop and get their advice as to what to use and how to use it, or if you're not good with that sort of thing, have them do it. It might be cheaper than you think!

Good luck!

 

Try Eastwood.com. They have a lot of buffing compounds and buffs.

 

The time and equipment to restore these rims would not be worth it. Sandblasting or major buffing with the additional cost of paint and cleaners. Maybe if u have these items at home but otherwise nope. Suggestion go junkyard shopping for rims just simple strait rims 4 for under $80 bucks.

 

Look at it this way. 2000 years ago, people with no power tools or special compounds could polish stone until you could see your face in it. So with that, I say bull to anyone that tells you it can't be done.

If you are willing to donate a few hours of your time, you can turn those mags into something you will be proud of, with nothing more than a drill and maybe $20. That assumes of course, if you're not interested in a 100% orginal looking mag.

The first order of business is to clean them up good with soap and water. Then you will able to determine how radical you'll have to be. Most likely you will find them acid etched and with assorted curb gouges.

The primary rule is: Start coarse. Finish fine

Don't get out you Mother's Mag Polish, spending 2 hours working up a sweat, and then wondering why they don't look good. Start with the major issues like the curb gouges.

Sit down on a bucket, set the wheel at a comfortable working height, turn on your favorite tunes, and grab the beverage of your choice. Now it's time to get to work.

Attack the gouges with some 80 grit. Sand until you are down to good metal. Then sand with some 180 grit, getting out the 80 scratch marks. Keep going until you get where you are wetsanding with 1200-1500. Remember to clean carefully between each stage of sanding so a speck of grit doesn't damage your new work. Voila !! You're down to the point of polishing.

A buffing pad attached to a drill is all you need for a tool. You can actually do it by hand (remember 2000 years ago?) but a drill will make it a lot faster. Ideally, you should use a separate pad for each grit of buffing compound you will be using.

There is nothing magical about buffing compounds. They also come in grits like sandpaper, just a finer grit. Offhand, I don't recall their various names and what they are designed to be used but Eastwood does have an excellent selection. You may be able to find the same equipment and compounds locally though.

Use what is recommended for aluminum. If that doesn't do the trick (like on the areas you sanded earlier), move up a grit and then step back down. Remember to clean between each stage. Keep going until you are satisfied.

You can do it. Go for it !!

 

A couple of hours??? I am skeptical. Maybe per wheel, but not everything back into a shine. If u have the patience/time/skills go for it but it is a task.

 

I believe I said

We live in a fast world. Twitch games, MTV film clips, "Who wants to be a millionaire" in a 30 minute TV segment and the infamous frameoff, total vehicle restoration in 7 days. The problem, as I see it, is none of these teach patience, time management, skill development and pride in what you have completed.

There is nothing like being able to say...

"Look at those wheels. I did it myself."

or you could brag..

"I gave someone $300 to clean those wheels"

By the way 77fordguy, if you decide to throw those wheels away, I'll take them off your hands. Will even be willing to pay for the shipping.

Link to buffing compounds