ok, i have pretty much striped my front rim down, the spokes and center of the rim is unpolished aluminum, any thoughts on how to polish it, i know it can be done because my rear rim is entirely polished aluminum and shines like a diamond. thanks for any help.

 

bump? lol

 

its not an easy one step process.

I once did all the aluminum on my old school harley I rebuilt several years ago.

to get it to shine like chrome, you have to sand using very high grit, like 1500 or higher depending on how it looks now. then you have to use sometype of power application, like a highspeed buffing wheel, or a drill with buffer attachments, and using different polishin compounds work your way up in compounds and until final polishing. then use some clear aluminum sealant or else it will look like crap the first time it rains.


you could just try using some flitz or the likes and do it by hand, but you wont be that happy with the results. it will look like polished dull aluminum

 

lol im thinking American Metal Finishers is sounding better all the time.

 

LOTS of elbow grease. Air tools help ALOT. If you have access to an air compressor (work, buddy, ect.) then you'll need a 90 deg. "die grinder" with either a 2 or 3 in backing pad. and alot of various grit sanding pads. Harbor freight is probably the cheapest (price and quality) or a DA sander. (dual action, also called a random orbital sander) which is probably better if you've never used either, the 90 is more prone to gouge if you're not careful, the DA is supposed to be kept flat against the surface, but wont get into the tighter spots, and will be a PITA on the lip. Start with a coarse grit like 120 or even 80 (but be careful with the 80) to smooth it all out, then 220 to get the sanding scartches out, then 400 dry then wet, then a GREY scrubby pad (NOT red, brown, or green). Now its time to polish. Use a straight die grinder with a 3 in buff. (you'll need a couple buffs, 1 for each compound) Same process, start with the coarse compound (red/brown I think) and work your way to the fine compound (blue). Be careful, DONT let any rotating steel touch the rim, it will nick it bad, and after you polish out the nick, the surface will "wave" at you. ( I learned that the hard way with my truck wheels) Take your time, be patient, and it will shine like chrome. Have fun. lol

 

defiantly going to take more than one setting, lol we are 1 man down at the shop, and im loaded with school work right now, thanks so much for the info guys!!