How to get oxidation off billet wheels

[El Campo]

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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[Sicklajoie]

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

[cdowns]

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

[72BlckButy]

Have them professionally polished?

[El Campo]

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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[72BlckButy]

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

[El Campo]

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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[KQQL IT]

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

[El Campo]

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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[KQQL IT]

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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[jmedero]

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.

[El Campo]

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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[jmedero]

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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[El Campo]

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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[jmedero]

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.

[jmedero]

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.

[jmedero]

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

[El Campo]

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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[jmedero]

No problem. Always glad to help.
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[72BlckButy]

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

Nice post jmedero!

[El Campo]

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...

[jmedero]

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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[KQQL IT]

That will work, the polish after a acid bath Is awesome.
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[Myself]

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.

[CC69Rat]

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