Cleaning Really Bad Aluminum Wheels

[special-K]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Good Video..Flitz is good stuff

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

[drivewaycustoms]

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]

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]

Got any pics?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Got any pics?

Who are you asking and pictures of what?

[special-K]

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

[1970/327/c10]

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]

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!