This is the process that I used to take my old, distressed, SS wheels to new polished and shiny wheels.

First things first, There are other walk-throughs, but unlike theirs, I did not sand the “ridges”. Please keep in mind that if your wheel is scratched, pitted, dinged up, or otherwise damaged, you will have to sand. Polishing just makes it pretty. It does not correct imperfections.


Now, on to the parts/tool list



2 cans of stripper from Wal*Mart


I first bought the cheap stuff ($2.99 a can). WRONG!! That stuff is worthless. The aircraft stuff was better, but not as good as this stuff.

Mothers mini powerball. Absolutely a necessity.

Corded drill. I started with a cordless drill, but with the constant use, I burned through 2 batteries faster than I could recharge them.

Rubbing compound. I got a tub of the Turtle wax stuff for paint. Apply by hand as this stuff is extremely abrasive.

Aluminum polish. There are many different types. I used the Mothers paste only because it was on sale.

The Process.

Due to the stripper that I used, I had to remove all rubber (this stuff LOVES to eat rubber), and then I washed the wheels. Applied the stripper as per the directions on the can, and removed with a power washer. The hose worked fine, but I JUST got a new power washer and had to “justify the need” to the wife. The stripper WILL NOT HARM THE ALUMINUM. Others had concerns about this. I had absolutely NO problems with both the SS wheels and the stock alloys.

NOTE: The stripper will not only remove the old clear coat, but will also remove the metallic coating on the inside of the spokes. This metal coating was, by far, the most problematic of this job.

This is what I started with:



After stripping the clear: Notice that the wheel is VERY shiny under the old clear. If the clear didn’t fail, I would have just re-cleared at this point.




Because I remove the metallic coating between the spokes, I was pretty much forced to repaint them. This is a good time to paint the barrel (inside) of the wheel also. I do not have pics, but this is how it goes. TAPE EVERYTHING!! I used almost a whole roll of ½” blue painters masking tape for 4 wheels. Sanded with 0000 steel wool until smooth, then used self etching primer, and painted with 2 coats of Duplicolor’s aluminum engine paint. Finish with 3 coats of engine clear. Remove tape.

Now the fun begins.

Polishing is pretty much straight forward, just remember to “go with the grain” on these wheels. There are ribs left from the lathe at the factory. I did the spokes first, only because I demand instant gratification. Here you can see the partial job. Notice the way the light reflects off the wheel? Also notice the rim. It is obvious where I got, and didn’t get. Remember to keep the ball rotating “away” from the edge. Clockwise for the left edge, and counterclockwise for the right.


The first wheel that I did, I polished first, then painted. Well, that didn’t go well, as the stripper dulled the wheel and I had to polish again.. So, paint first, polish last.

This is what the 2nd wheel looked like after painting and before polishing



same wheel after polishing



Now, I have found that it is easier to polish the center caps while on the wheel. If the cap spins, just wrap the clips with tape. That should hold it in place.
The centers were so bad, I had to polish them twice. First round….



Second round…..



Before:



2 hours and $110 later

Complete and mounted:

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And that just about covers it. I am sure that I am forgetting something.

Robert

I call for this to be stickied!!!

One question....Exactly which part of the wheel had to be painted?

If you look at the wheel, the outter edge of the spokes are powdercoated with a silver metallic paint. I didn't know this and stripped it off. Then spent DAYS painting with MAB, LAB, black, red, then finally settled on the silver.

Polished them so well the Bowtie came off!

Around here you can't find them that nice to start.

DAM GOOD JOB!

Looks good, man!

More info on technique would be cool, too.

Also... Can they be re-cleared after polishing? I only ask because the brake dust is absolutely KILLING my wheels. I'd have to polish them every other day for them to stay looking nice...

I think Pat has the pics of the actual polishing.......

just use the powerball and a drill with a variable speed (cordless doesn't last long enough), apply polish to the ball itself and then polish to desired reflection. Use an all purpose cleaner to clean the black oxidation from the ball after every so often (you'll KNOW when)


With the polish that I used, they cannot be cleared because Mothers has a "protectant" in the polish....AKA wax. I have used jewelers rouge and it seems pretty good too, just haven't tried to clear yet.

Mike, you know the story on the bowties

Can't have a lowly CHEVY emblem on such a high classed BUICK

Let's see, Lorne's option:
$1900 for chrome wheels,

My option:
$300 for a set of used wheels WITH TIRES and delivered, no less.
$110 for dismount, remount the tires (optional)
$8 for can of polish
$20 for a drill
$20 for polishing ball
$8 for stripper
$2 for steel wool
a weekend of time

$468 for polished aluminum ($58 if you already have the wheels)

By "All-purpose cleaner" do you mean like a windex or formula 409 or something like that? Not sure whatcha meant.

I have a Mother's Power Cone I'm dying to try out! I have an original Powerball and I think I used it once and never again because it was too big to get into any one the tight places...

I'll take those bowtie emblems if you want to get rid of them!

i thought the black stuff was good when ur polishing alum.

Good write up! If I ever get my old SS wheels back from my Dad...I will do this for sure. I would recommend a dismount for this project too, those pesky valve stems annoy me whenever I used to polish wheels mounted.

Chris

tape off the silver powdercoating, then strip the clear coat off the aluminum. Worked like a charm the second time around.

One more question as I am beginning this process.....Do you have to tape off or repaint the silver? What would be the harm if you stripped it off and polished it?