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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estherville, Iowa
Posts: 3,371
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Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Looked at some polished aluminum Eagle Alloys, no clear coat or chrome on most of these. Will they be a pain to keep nice ? Look like crap in no time ?
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1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
You do have to dry them after they get wet or they will spot. After each wash even though you dry them they will still dull some so yes you do have to polish them. The trick is not to let them get dull or full of spots. I would get some California Customs oxidizer and Purple polish. You may as well start out right.
About 3 years ago with my wheels being about 7 years old at the time I was picked from about 4500 trucks as having the best ride on Weld wheels by Weld. My wheels probably hav more shine now that they did when they were new. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: tampa florida
Posts: 776
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Get a powerball and polish them quickly. I have had great results with my wheels and only have to polish them about once a month or so. Of cource its not a trailer queen, its a daily driver. But they shine great!
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#4 | |
67-72 Addict!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The TAX State!
Posts: 7,857
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Quote:
Agree 110%. Randy was one of the guys who turned me onto this stuff. It's an amazing product!. It's about $14/bottle and keeps the rims like a mirror. ![]() I also want to try the powerball!
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Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads Last edited by 70c10; 06-08-2006 at 07:18 AM. |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Nebraska
Posts: 611
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Buddy of mine swapped out the factory GM alum rims on his HD for some polished aftermarket rims. He hated them. Had to polish all the time. And with all the tiny groves, he would literally spend hours polishing his rims. Be careful...or get yourself some chromed.
I stuck with the factory rims on my HD and they look great. No maint. either.
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'72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's |
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#6 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
If the wheels have grooves,they`re not full-polished.That would be a pain.That`s "machine finish".I like uncoated polished aluminum because you "can" polish them.Once clearcoat or chrome starts to chip,pit peel,or yellow(coated),you`re screwed.Corrosion gets up under coatings/plating and you can`t get at it.With polished,you`re in control.Not maintainence-free,but maintainable.
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"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 ~ |
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#7 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estherville, Iowa
Posts: 3,371
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Could I get them clear coated with something ? What is the best ? I know the clear may fail and have to be redone, but if they would go 3-4 years, wouldn't the time/hassle factor and expense be less ??
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1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 |
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#8 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 155
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
AL rims are a pain to polish, period. No amount of magic stuff will make it less work. The powerball does work pretty well if the rim is pretty simple. It doesn't reach all areas on the Torque Thrust II's on my cobra replica. There is also nothing that looks as good IMO.
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
And if you keep them dry after washing and maintain them, it only takes about 5 minutes a wheel to polish. I use a towel and a little CC and buff it out using the same towel.
After going around and doing each wheel I go back with a clean towel and make sure all the polish is off. |
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#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Virginia Beach, Va, USA
Posts: 1,676
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Mudder,
Where do you get the California Customs Oxidizer and purple polish at? I haved used Flitz in the past and it looks ok for awhile. Kerry
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1969 Chevelle 1990 IROC Z Convertible 2002 Silverado LT |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
I either get it online at http://www.californiacustom.com/ or I can call a rep that is in Kansas. There may be a rep near you. Call them from their website and ask. Also go read the testimonials on their site. I know Sherrie from Virgina Beach, VA. She has a big Ford she shows.
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#12 |
67-72 Addict!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The TAX State!
Posts: 7,857
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Kerry, if youre ever up in Baltimore you can get it at Peterbuilt.
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Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads |
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#13 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
I had Weld Outbacks on my work truck and drove it in the mud on jobs,all winter in salt,and I never polished them.I did keep the truck clean and I waxed it,including the wheels,a good bit.They looked great in 3 years.Clearcoat on polished aluminum gives a false sense of security,that`s about it.Talk about expense and hassle.See what it would cost to get the clearcoat stripped and the wheels polished`n`buffed back to original finish.
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"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 ~ |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estherville, Iowa
Posts: 3,371
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
This is what we are looking at, should be pretty easy to polish ??? I would likely only polish real well 2-3 times a year, would that be enough on a driver ?
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1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 |
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#15 |
Happy to be here
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Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
I have had 10+ sets of polished wheels on daily drivers. It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period! I have used many different brands of polish to keep them shiny, as well as many types of sealer. It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period! Keep in mind that there are many different types of aluminum wheels. It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period! Some are cast, some are machined from billet, and some are forged. It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period! Eagle wheels are cast, and known to be very porous. It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period!
By now you may be getting my message that It is a pain in the @ss to keep them looking nice...period! My very biased opinion is save yourself some grief and buy a chrome wheel.... ![]()
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 06-09-2006 at 10:39 PM. |
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#16 | |
Seņor Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edge of the world
Posts: 5,367
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
Quote:
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#17 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Estherville, Iowa
Posts: 3,371
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
N2TRUX - I'm not sure how you really feel - could you restate that please ???
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__________________
1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0 |
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#18 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
I still have billet wheels on my 77, but I wish I could find something in chrome that looks old school. The past few sets of wheels for my daily drivers have been chrome, and I love them. You wash the truck and dry the wheels with a chamois and your done.....
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Malvern, PA
Posts: 951
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Re: Polished aluminum wheels - Pain to maintain ?
I have aluminum Weld wheels. They do require a lot of attention to keep them looking nice. As stated, you cannot let the wheels air dry, they must be wiped dry to keep them looking nice. I use Mother's mag and aluminum polish. You have to make sure you use an unused part of you application rag everytime you apply for the wheel to come out looking right.
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Photo Gallery of 1972 K/5 Blazer CST Last edited by Green Monster; 06-10-2006 at 01:18 AM. |
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