How to polish old rims

[loc33e]

hey, I picked up some Delta Australia rims from wrecker. the rims meshed, dimensions are 14x6 and have a gold center and silver lip. it's all old and has dirt and grime on it. the wrecker sold it as a set of five. dodgy bastards only polished one of them. looks very nice because it's shiny and neat

is there any recommended solvents to get rid of the dirt and grime? I want the polish like a door knob :lol:

[v-tec]

very very light sandpaper works if you got corrosion and stuff. it's something you have be dedicated to do tho, as it takes a lot to make it worth the effort.

Also pick up some of the brit bright shine wool and some mothers wheel polish.

[Julz01]

different grits of sand paper, start of on course and work your way down to a finer grit, then use some metal polish on them. best way to do it I've done it to a set of wheels that where painted from standard and now look like there had a polished lip from standard

[MINIHORSE]

de greaser gets rid of the brake dust as you said is a meshie style of rim, get some steel wool and put it on the end of a drill bit or something and get in there nice and deep like (quote from dodgeball)

also autosol or this stuff called purple are great for polishing the dishes

[loc33e]

thanks all, well these rims where originally from madza car, according to wreckers. the mesh is quite rouch and I think sanding it down would be crazy, ill post up pick tomorrow all you all to see.

is there any liquid I can use. ( eg. petrol, thinner, degreaser.ect)

[andru_g]

carby cleaner is your frend.. then maybe try autosol as mentioned above

[Javal]

Maserati Brite Shine works wonders, about $10 - $13 from sprints. turned my faded as jellybeans to mirror polish with a few hours worth of correct application and elbow grease.

[RobertoX]

sif you polish 5.5s?

but the rest of what you said was correct



no need to polish 15x8 -4 sweetheart :)

I missed your call, was it of any significance?

[Javal]

sif you polish 5.5s?

but the rest of what you said was correct



no need to polish 15x8 -4 sweetheart :)

I missed your call, was it of any significance?[/b]

No, not particularly.

5.5" are sik when you have nothing else.

[awang]

normally I just use autosol or brasso

[seek]

jeez... you guys actaully use proper cleaning products? thats dedication :)

I use $99c scourers, they work perfect

http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/dcimages/4/8/4/3/151179.jpg

[ae71]

scourer/steel wool and quality metal polish

[loc33e]

I just bought a can of autosol, it was about 20 bux. I tried using some and it kind of work. any tips of how to use it?

[riojin]

what I did to my rims (I wish I took photos of the process)

I used a rough sanding block (from supercheap for $2. like a scouring pad but bigger) to remove all surface rust.
then 400, 800, 1500, 2000 w&d ($1 a sheet from supercheap) wet sanded. then some braso style metal polish ($10 from bunnings) applied with a soft rag (bought from bunnings for $2)

my alloy rims came up looking like chrome. it took me 1hr approx each rim. I get paid about $18 an hour so thats $72 + 4x$1 + $2 + $2 + $10 = $90. to get them "professionally" (term used loosely) polished will cost you about $35-40 per rim ($140-160) but you will most definately have maching lines left on them.

[loc33e]

my rims have grime and dirt, now rust. sorry I was suppose to take pics but forgot

[r3zzz4]

If they are mesh, why don't you sandblast the centres (tape the outer rim with duct tape) and tell them to use old smashed up grit so it doesn't trash them as much, would be better than looking at them go rusty?!
Then do wet and dry sandpaper and autosol, they will look mint.
Or just paint the centre, let the rust hide for a while... <_<