Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 07-06-2013, 08:35 AM

I know there's a thread on cleaning. I just read it. But,that's minor compared to mine and my request would not be seen by all those who already saw how that thread went.
I got these 9.75 x 16.5 aluminum slots (no clear) that were about black when I got them. I cleaned the front of the two better ones pretty good,but the backs and slot holes were still but fugly. So,I decided it was necessary to start from scratch. Maybe I effed up,but I used over cleaner on the backs. They're all white and crusty now and it streaked the fronts that I had cleaned up (I knew I'd have to go back on them). The backs are too difficult to sand. I'm thinking bead-blasting is my only choice now. Agree? Just the backs? The fronts have dark streaks that would sand out,right?,but just need to start more coarse like maybe 220. I was using 400 and nit getting very far with it. Even the black ones (I assume left on the front a long time) I think will sand out. I have to do the backs and slots before worrying about the fronts,I know that. Any advise would be appreciated. I'll grab pictures,but in the meantime I wanted to get some wheels turning (no pun...well,maybe a little)

BigDan3131 · 07-20-2013, 10:29 PM

Why are you sanding them? Are they that badly pitted and its the only way to get them out? Forget bead blasting, it will clean them up but you would have to paint them with base/clear to make them nice and no not rattle can paint either. Either send them out to Mag Masters for complete polishing or a powder coater.

76stepsidechevy · 07-21-2013, 09:55 AM

I use an etching mag wheel cleaner on really rough polished aluminum wheels like that to start with and then work my way back up with polish. It has an acid so I do them one at a time and only leave it on for 30 secs or so. It will take all the brake dust off so at least you wont be wasting your time trying to sand that off.

TheBlueBomber · 11-20-2013, 01:55 PM

Oven cleaner is really powerful stuff and you cant leave it on very long. Definitely post some pics ill look for some info on aluminum wheels.

TheBlueBomber · 11-20-2013, 02:07 PM

Not my truck but here's a build thread in the 73-87 section where aluminum alcoa wheels are brought back to life. Page 7-8 show a lot of the process and the end picture is a little down the line. Hope this helps out some.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=554445&page=7

**special-K** · 11-29-2013, 11:02 PM

Thanks for the link. Those wheels were way better than mine. I'm not interested in polishing at this point,just cleaning them from black to silver,which I did and they look way better now. I have the results in another thread
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591996

Stoney · 12-01-2013, 10:32 PM

Good Video..Flitz is good stuff

How to polish aluminum wheels to look like chrome...

drivewaycustoms · 01-20-2014, 10:17 PM

Hey Tim, I had a set of polished Centerlines that sat outside for at least 10 yrs, I used some polish from a big truck shop and #0000 steel wool. I spent about 45 mins on each wheel and they shine like new.

**special-K** · 01-22-2014, 08:39 AM

I know that stuff. Guys use it on their dump bodies (tanks/wheels) and it makes it easy to keep them nice. These wheels were many steps away from polishing,more like crusty. I got them "clean" now,so they could be polished if I wanted. But,I kinda dig the raw aluminum look on 8-lug slots on a 4wd. Just utilitarian beefy lighter weight wheels. These wheels never came highly polished,as I recall them. A show vehicle my truck is not

TheBlueBomber · 01-22-2014, 02:31 PM

Got any pics?

**special-K** · 01-22-2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Got any pics?

Who are you asking and pictures of what?

1970/327/c10 · 03-01-2014, 10:00 PM

I have always used Acid etching cleaner that truck washes use for aluminum trailers, then go back in with blue magic polish with a power ball. Always made nasty wheel look like it came of the assembly line.

russgoodman · 03-03-2014, 08:43 PM

I used Eagle 1 mag wheel cleaner on my Buick wheels and couldn't believe how much better they looked. I did one at a time, kept it wet and scrubbed the grained part with a copper bristle brush. And like the pic shows, wear gloves!

**special-K** · 03-03-2014, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Got any pics?

Here are some from link I posted earlier:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591996

07-06-2013, 08:35 AM	#1
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels I know there's a thread on cleaning. I just read it. But,that's minor compared to mine and my request would not be seen by all those who already saw how that thread went. I got these 9.75 x 16.5 aluminum slots (no clear) that were about black when I got them. I cleaned the front of the two better ones pretty good,but the backs and slot holes were still but fugly. So,I decided it was necessary to start from scratch. Maybe I effed up,but I used over cleaner on the backs. They're all white and crusty now and it streaked the fronts that I had cleaned up (I knew I'd have to go back on them). The backs are too difficult to sand. I'm thinking bead-blasting is my only choice now. Agree? Just the backs? The fronts have dark streaks that would sand out,right?,but just need to start more coarse like maybe 220. I was using 400 and nit getting very far with it. Even the black ones (I assume left on the front a long time) I think will sand out. I have to do the backs and slots before worrying about the fronts,I know that. Any advise would be appreciated. I'll grab pictures,but in the meantime I wanted to get some wheels turning (no pun...well,maybe a little) __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-20-2013, 10:29 PM	#2
BigDan3131 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Maple Valley, WA Posts: 1,913	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Why are you sanding them? Are they that badly pitted and its the only way to get them out? Forget bead blasting, it will clean them up but you would have to paint them with base/clear to make them nice and no not rattle can paint either. Either send them out to Mag Masters for complete polishing or a powder coater. __________________ Custom Painter/Restoration Specialist 1965 GMC 3/4 Ton LB SOLD? 1964 Chevy El Camino in full restoration 1991 Chevy S10 288K+ miles 2nd Owner SOLD 2020 RAM 1500 Warlock

07-21-2013, 09:55 AM	#3
76stepsidechevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Windsor Locks Posts: 628	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels I use an etching mag wheel cleaner on really rough polished aluminum wheels like that to start with and then work my way back up with polish. It has an acid so I do them one at a time and only leave it on for 30 secs or so. It will take all the brake dust off so at least you wont be wasting your time trying to sand that off.

11-20-2013, 01:55 PM	#4
TheBlueBomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 816	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Oven cleaner is really powerful stuff and you cant leave it on very long. Definitely post some pics ill look for some info on aluminum wheels. __________________ Austin 1996 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 1979 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale - Carolina K10 - My 4.8L Twin turbo build - Project Short Stroke - Instagram - TheBlueBomber1996

11-20-2013, 02:07 PM	#5
TheBlueBomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 816	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Not my truck but here's a build thread in the 73-87 section where aluminum alcoa wheels are brought back to life. Page 7-8 show a lot of the process and the end picture is a little down the line. Hope this helps out some. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=554445&page=7 __________________ Austin 1996 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 1979 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale - Carolina K10 - My 4.8L Twin turbo build - Project Short Stroke - Instagram - TheBlueBomber1996

11-29-2013, 11:02 PM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Thanks for the link. Those wheels were way better than mine. I'm not interested in polishing at this point,just cleaning them from black to silver,which I did and they look way better now. I have the results in another thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=591996 __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-20-2014, 10:17 PM	#8
drivewaycustoms Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Waldorf,MD Posts: 308	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Hey Tim, I had a set of polished Centerlines that sat outside for at least 10 yrs, I used some polish from a big truck shop and #0000 steel wool. I spent about 45 mins on each wheel and they shine like new. __________________ 87 Crewcab Dually 66 Cadillac Sedan deVille 55 Chevy Belair 33 Plymouth sedan 03 S-10 86 S-10 Blazer _____________________________________________ IG drivewaycustoms

01-22-2014, 08:39 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels I know that stuff. Guys use it on their dump bodies (tanks/wheels) and it makes it easy to keep them nice. These wheels were many steps away from polishing,more like crusty. I got them "clean" now,so they could be polished if I wanted. But,I kinda dig the raw aluminum look on 8-lug slots on a 4wd. Just utilitarian beefy lighter weight wheels. These wheels never came highly polished,as I recall them. A show vehicle my truck is not __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-22-2014, 02:31 PM	#10
TheBlueBomber Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 816	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels Got any pics? __________________ Austin 1996 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 1979 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale - Carolina K10 - My 4.8L Twin turbo build - Project Short Stroke - Instagram - TheBlueBomber1996

03-01-2014, 10:00 PM	#12
1970/327/c10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Walker, MO Posts: 101	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels I have always used Acid etching cleaner that truck washes use for aluminum trailers, then go back in with blue magic polish with a power ball. Always made nasty wheel look like it came of the assembly line. __________________ Drivin People Insane With my Classic Chevy!

03-03-2014, 08:43 PM	#13
russgoodman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cache, OK Posts: 458	Re: Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels I used Eagle 1 mag wheel cleaner on my Buick wheels and couldn't believe how much better they looked. I did one at a time, kept it wet and scrubbed the grained part with a copper bristle brush. And like the pic shows, wear gloves! Attached Images __________________ 1969 Chevy C10 SWB Fleet - Build thread > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=593554 2008 GMC Sierra Denali - 6.2L AWD - my daily 2011 Ford Flex Limited - Ecoboost AWD - wife's daily 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T - 63K miles - Strip/Street car 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe - 289, c4, 53K miles



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