How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

My Intro billet wheels look like crap after sitting outside for a while. Are really dull and have a whitish film on them. Called Intro and they said to spray with carb cleaner. Didn't hardly touch them. Have tried Powerball and Mother's billet polish to no avail. All of this barely budges it. Any suggestions? Or does anyone know a wheel polisher in Houston and what it would cost? Wheels were beautiful from factory but a little rain and now are ugly.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

You could try S100 Polishing Soap.
http://www.s100.com/s100_fr.htm

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

sounds like it might b a clear powdercoated finish that has turned milky ,not unusual

if that is in fact the problem the fastest is to have the wheels blasted then polished

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Have them professionally polished?

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

I didn't think that billet wheels were coated. Per the manufacturer these billet wheels are bare aluminum if I understand right. I'm very familiar unfortunately with oxidized clear coat from GM stock wheels. This looks different. And I'm not really excited about blasting a set of 3000 dollar wheels unless it is last resort. Anyone kno about what to expect to pay for professional polishing? These are 20 x 10. I think that I will try that S100, I have been eyeballing it for use on the Harley anyways. Can't hurt anything at this point.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

I've had this link saved for a long time... read it through as it has steps for wheels that are in "worse" condition. Let me know how it works for you and what you end up doing. I'd say that you have to get down a couple of layers to remove the oxidation from the wheel.

http://www.s10forum.com/how_to_polish_aluminum_wheels

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

I'm going to try that flour trick from that link also if the soap doesn't work. I think that I need more grit to cut the oxidation out. Thanks for the link
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

I use pool acid on my peterbilt wheels, then polish.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

What kind of acid is that? Muriatic acid? That scares the @@@@ out of me haha! Are those bare aluminum wheels? And are billet wheels much if any different than regular alloy aluminum wheels?
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Forged alcoas. Once a year hit em with the acid and polish.
you can also get aluminum brightener acid also. They polisher easier after the acid bath not as much black nastiness.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

On my Intros I hit them with wheel acid. Like the one for wire spoke wheels. Then I polish them with White Diamond polish. You can get it at the parts house for like $18. Works killer. I own and opperate an auto detail business and this is what we do to "restore" wheels. You will shocked how good they will turn out.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Jmedero where do you get this wheel acid u speak of? Any particular brand to use? And do you just spray it on and wash it off? And do you use a powerball or just rags to wipe off?
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

You can use a wire wheel cleaner from the auto parts store. I order my stuff in bulk 20 gallons at a time from either stoner detail products or ardex, both suppliers of auto detail products. Mix it 1/4 acid 3/4 water. Spray it on and wait about a minute. Your going to freak out, your wheel will turn white. Spray off well with water. Then put the polish on a rag or power ball and go to work. Takes me about 5-7 min a wheel and they will look awesome. I'll fo one on my nova and post up some pics.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

That would be awesome!!!! I appreciate the input! That sounds so good I am going to try that before the other things since u have done it on Intros already. Thanks for everyone's ideas.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Ok here we go. This took me about 7 min to do this to this wheel. Obviously the longer you take on the polish part the better. Just did a quicky to show you what I was talking about.

1- rim as it sits. dirty and dull
2-acid wash on the wheel, this is the scary part. Your wheel will foam up and turn white.. dont freak out!!
3-close up of acid wash
4-clean wheel. I wash the rim off with cool water and soap.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

more

here i polished the bottom half of the lip and the bottom two spokes. It did not take any time at all. The more time you take here the more shine and better finish you will have. Again I only took about 7 min to do this so not bad for no time involved. It usually takes me about 1 1/2 hours to do all four when I do them. I actually take them off the car just for cleaning the rear of the wheel.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

here is the stuff I use to do it. The wheel cleaner you can get online or any detail supply shop around will have it. The polish I really like. I have used many diff ones like flitz and mothers... everyone has their own fav. This is mine. and a microfiber cloth.

I hope this helps, many might think im crazy for doing the acid wash but proof is in the pudding. These wheels are 8 years old and have been outside for the last year and a half.

Later
Juan

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Wow lots of good instructions! Going to try this tommorrow or Tuesday and will post up
Before and after pics. Thank you sir for taking the time out of your busy day to do that for us.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

No problem. Always glad to help.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Can't wait to see how this works for you El Campo.

Nice post jmedero!

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

So didn't get the wheels polished today because I could not find wire wheel cleaner anywhere in my home town of 11,000 people! The closest thing I could find was the acid that the gravel truckers use to clean their aluminum trailers with. Did not know if this would work or not so did not get it. Would this work? (see the below link)

http://www.detailsupplyoutlet.com/item.htm?item_num=5

And I have also attached some pics of my wheels. They are dirty in these pictures but you can gain an idea of what I am talking about...

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Pete's Detail Corner
114 W Hillje St
El Campo, TX 77437-4336
Phone: 979-543-3709

This guy will have some. Swing by and tell him that you are cleaning some metal and need some wire wheel cleaner or wheel acid. He should sell you some.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

That will work, the polish after a acid bath Is awesome.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

My vehicles stay outside, and obviously the aluminum wheels do too. When mine are neglected or get brake dust on them I use an aluminum brightener for cleaning A/C coils. Any heating and cooling supply house will have it. Just make sure to dilute according to the instructions. The aluminum is porous and the acid actually boils the dirt and contaminants right out of the pores, leaving you with a nice clean wheel to start polishing on.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Ever tried this stuff on an Aluminum Intake ? Just curious ..

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Yes it will foam up and really clean it up well, but.....it will also leave it a darker shade of gray. I would suggest bead blasting on cast aluminum parts. That is, unless the darker color doesn't bother you.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Any update on this as would really like to see how your wheels look after the clean?
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Still trying to buy some of this. Having a hell of a time buying any. Will def update soon as I find some
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Did you contact the detail shop I posted on the first page? You can also go online to any company online that sells detail supplies.
Push come to shove get the mothers or eagle one chrome and wire wheel cleaner. It shouldn't be that hard to find.
I can try and mail you some but the post office might not like that. Lol
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Also detailgeek.com should have some.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Ok no problem I will keep an eye on this thread! Thanks
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

It was a no go at the detail shop. They want to do the wheels themselves. I'll try that website
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

You could also try some bathtub cleaner designed to remove soap scum, like scrubbing bubbles. You'd be suprised how many different things that will clean up.

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Wow, I wish I would seen this thread earlier, I found some Intro Vista on craig's list 5 months ago in the same shape as "J Medero's" post 15 pic 1, but I'm a scareddy cat, so I took them it had the tires removed and had them professionally polished at 100 buck a wheel :( (ouch) but they look real purdy now :). :chevy:

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/a49ebc88.jpg
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/c07eaeeb.jpg
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/bd2fd995.jpg
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/322ca8c0.jpg
I picked up some billets the other day. I cleaned one of the wheels last night. Took about 30 min on this wheel using the method listed on page one.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

I accidentally sprayed chrome wheel cleaner (specific to chrome wheels only) on aluminum wheels. It must've had an acid in it because it dulled the aluminum immediately. I polished them after I messed them up and they turned out better than new. Maybe look for a chrome cleaner like this????

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

FINALLY managed to get some of this acid. Had a heck of a time getting anyone to sell me some. But man did it work good. I had some SUPER deep pits and had to end up sanding the entire hoop with 600 and some of it with 400 even but then with a little jewelers rouge and buffing wheel after the acid and the Pentias turned out GREAT!!

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Hell yea buddy!!! Look at you getting your polish on.
Nice work man.
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Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

they look great !

Re: How to get oxidation off billet wheels
 

Anyone know if acid would screw up a rim with a painted face? My billet wheels look good now, I'm just thinking of down the road. Here is a pick of the wheel in quesiton.