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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: Cheyenne on June 09, 2011, 12:24:38 am
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I've always rolled on chrome on cars, if they had aluminum I was taking them off for set shiny chrome rims.. That being said I have a set of 4 aluminum turbine/ hurricane wheels... I like them on a truck when they are clean.. I took the challenge of getting these clean..
I started with dawn dish soap and a wire brush, than sand paper.. Now mothers aluminum polish.. Each one cleans them up a bit I'm getting no wheee I'm on 1st wheel..
I know there a thread a guy did etc but I'm not going that route.. Sand paper 400 wet grit and there nasty I'm talking I got hours in these.. I got 6 kids so they keep me busy don't have time do 29 hours a wheel..
I know simple green etc damages them what can I do get these things clean.. Thanks anyone offer advice!
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Try a "wheel brightener" or sometimes a good degreaser will clean them nicely but you may need to polish the cleaner off of them. Try it on the back of the wheel first to see if it will damage them. If that doesn't work an acid will probably do the job. keep the wire brush away from the wheels.
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Less is more, for sure, but if that suggestion doesn't get results for you, scuff them up clean and clear coat them.
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What kind of degreaser and what should I use to scrub with.. These are stuck like grey even after dry sanding and wet sanding them.. These turbine wheels are hard to get in there and clean.. So if I scuff them clean prob go 2000 grit polish and than clear??? Thanks Learning on the fly about oxidation and aluminum
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Also turbine wheels the spoke part and lip,and center you can get them clean and to shine rather easy.. These type of wheels were from the 70s.. The part in between the spoke is where I'm having issues here.. I know that area does not shine or supposed.. Yeah that part is most corroded part and hard to get to.. I would like to stay away from painting the inbetween part silver just want it clean.. Ideas I think I better explained myself.. The blades/ spokes and lip,the center are easy the in-between part is the part I know it should be silver?? How do I get them clean without having them sent out or painting that part
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The soap SOS pads helped me out A LOT on my slots.
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Wheel brightener = acid in a lot of cases. Don't it on too long or it will "burn" the wheel.
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The greatest thing I've ever used to clean an aluminum wheel is the Mother's Mini Ball and Mother's Polish. It makes quick work of dingy wheels with little effort. here's a few picks of my aluminum wheels, before and after.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/psycho0819/Truck%20Pics/IMG_1281.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/psycho0819/Truck%20Pics/IMG_1288.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/psycho0819/Truck%20Pics/IMG_1279.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/psycho0819/Truck%20Pics/IMG_1280.jpg)
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For polished wheels DO NOT use the acid. Do not! If they are non polished and the clear coat is peeling, hit them with the wheel acid and power wash them. Scuff the ugly areas with scotch brite and go another round with the acid.
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I'm getting confused on what I should do here so I'm going to post 4 pictures.. The first 2 are after I hit the wheels/rims with wet sandpaper 400 grit.. Also used mothers mag and alum polish.. I used a towel to apply and rubbed them.. I have hours in the wheel looks really bad.. I cant get the lip and spoke and center clean. The in between is corded and even with sand paper and scrubbing does not seem to shine.. I'm wonder
ing if in fact there suppose to shine?? Maybe the lip the center and the spoke part only come really clean? I'm not familiar as they from the 70s I just like the look of them.. The last 2 pictures are wheels used with dawn and brush see how rough they are.. I work on these just not sure of the approach thanks everyone maybe this can give you insight to help me more thanks so much like I said I know Chrome but I dont if these are polished or what I never messed with alum wheels/rims everyone lol
My finger pointing inside the spokes to show the corrison
(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv309/mbrooks_79/mikes093.jpg)
Same wheel
(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv309/mbrooks_79/mikes094.jpg)
The other wheel little to no work on these
(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv309/mbrooks_79/mikes095.jpg)
(http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/vv309/mbrooks_79/mikes096.jpg)
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imo your solution is going to be chemical. wether you use a wheel brightener/cleaner or acid; read and follow the instructions, complete one wheel at a time, do this in the shade with a cool wheel, have your car wash soap and hose ready(or pressure washer), spray the wheel and do not let it dry, you may need to brush them a little but probably not much. as soon as you feel they have soaked long enough(before they dry) spray them off very well and wash them with soap.
after this step you will sand the face, lip, and center with wet sandpaper then a 000 grit steel wool with the mothers polish.
Based on the pics I think this will be your best approach.
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(http://cache.msm-images.myspacecdn.com/msm300jpg75/images02/41/l_fab90212ad954b0fa32fed5b3c84e0b3.jpg)
My dad decided to take our 2 jeeps to the local main street cruise/car show and had me clean up the wheels for him. These are the best pictures i could find sadly. I did them with some plain old chrome polish and some elbow grease with 2 shop rags and a microfiber towel.
(http://cache.msm-images.myspacecdn.com/msm300jpg75/images02/27/l_4dbc04edd18e4fc8aa9b2699913571b9.jpg)
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Mine are aluminum though chrome does look good by the way I like chrome better, but I like these styles of rims/wheels. When you say acid where do I go to get it and I need special gloves? What is a brand name of the acid? I get what your saying never messed with that stuff before.. I know I'm asking a lot of questions I want to do this right..
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Here's a thought, how about getting them media blasted. I have never tried it on wheels like that, but with all the slots, blasting might be an quick and easy way to go.
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Here's a thought, how about getting them media blasted. I have never tried it on wheels like that, but with all the slots, blasting might be an quick and easy way to go.
I agree, it'll save you hours of work, and it'd prolly only take them half hour a wheel tops. Once they're clean, get the polish and go to work. Or get them chromed or powder coated.
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When I got them I did not think they be this rough.. I don't even think there western auto rims.. That being said I look for someone to do it I wanted to do the work I pride myself in that and most of it learning about aluminum.. That being said I guess a good blast do these right how much you think that cost??
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I had a guy that did four stocks for me for a thirty pack of bud light. then powder coated them black for another 30 pack, but I have a feeling it may cost a little more than that ;D
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Your solution is the wheel acid (all brite - CAR products wire wheel cleaner etc) Its a perfect acid solution that will make them look great. If you do a search you will see where I have posted these products here before.
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Your solution is the wheel acid (all brite - CAR products wire wheel cleaner etc) Its a perfect acid solution that will make them look great. If you do a search you will see where I have posted these products here before.
I have used this as well and it works great.
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People want 400 to blast them I think no lol. The all brite sounds good I looked online can you buy it in a store or just online.. I prefer go to a store.. How did you do it bud any scrubbing wear gloves?? How long should I let them soak for etc.. Using acid seems dangerous though never used it..
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Your wheels probably have some type of coating as was mentioned earlier. If it is anodizing it will be hard to remove, period. There are some liquid drain cleaners that might work. If it is a polyurethane or paint coating, aircraft paint stripper from your local auto parts store will help with that. I would try the aerosol paint stripper first, let it set a few min. and then scotchbrite it and see if stuff comes off. Sanding scratches are hard to get out of aluminum unless you have a high speed buffer. I would use scotchbrite for awhile then the wheel products or a metal polish.
(http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x396/rwhit57/85%20Chevy/american200before.jpg)
(http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x396/rwhit57/85%20Chevy/american200safter1.jpg)
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You might try what this guy did. http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=659833 (http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=659833)
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Thanks Randy I did some oven cleaner and sos pads and water hose the wheels look better but still long way to go.. Another 2 hours of work lol.. I'm trying anything lol
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Thanks Randy I did some oven cleaner and sos pads and water hose the wheels look better but still long way to go.. Another 2 hours of work lol.. I'm trying anything lol
Keep trying. You'll find something to work. One of the issues you're facing is that most of the old vintage wheels such as your 70's era Westerns had a lot of Magnesium in the alloy. True Mag wheels such as Halibrands were almost all Magnesium. (Mags) Magnesium is very dark and doesn't polish well or hold a shine well. Today's wheels are made of high grade aluminum alloys with little or no magnesium, but I'm old school I still call them Mags.
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Very true I always thought there vintage so there have years of Midwest weather on them. Same time the quality was not as good as than like you said man.. I really dig the wheels there different not something I see on cars or trucks ya know.. A question though the lip the spoke part and center I can get to shine ok.. The in between is the part that really seems like maybe it not supposed to shine and have more of a silver color.. Dis these turbine-rocket wheels have silver a grey like in-between the spokes?? Any input be great
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They were a cast finish between the spokes, much like the spokes on the American 200S I showed a pic of. I cheated, I painted the spokes on those with a cast aluminum paint and polished the rim. You could do the same on those.
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I keep doing oven cleaner and sos pads. I put in 2 more hours on one wheel today still have to wet sand than oven cleaner again than I'm going to use a powerball and mothers mag wheel polish.. Still wool fine grit to.. Im not gonna paint in between the spokes.. That be a lot of tapping off and work I think this my only option just work wife thinks im nuts.. Lol
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No need to tape off the spokes. You can just paint, then take some thinner and wipe the paint off the polished areas.
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When I was working on cleaning up my slotted mags, I spend a considerable amount of time on them. I even spent the time to clean the 5th matching wheel as my spare that I'll probably never use. "Smart" - probably not, "cost efficient" - NOT, "fun" - I enjoy making things nice again.
Point being, it's a hobby and sometimes is not very logical with time. Better then sitting on the couch doing nothing.
Enjoy the time and hard work
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When I was working on cleaning up my slotted mags, I spend a considerable amount of time on them. I even spent the time to clean the 5th matching wheel as my spare that I'll probably never use. "Smart" - probably not, "cost efficient" - NOT, "fun" - I enjoy making things nice again.
Point being, it's a hobby and sometimes is not very logical with time. Better then sitting on the couch doing nothing.
Enjoy the time and hard work
Very well said. I've worked on this truck on and off for 2 yrs. I don't have a lot of money in it, but I have more hours then I can count. Keeps me out of trouble and at home.
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I agree on working on them better than the couch but a man at 32 with 6 kids and one on the way I never get that lol. On the inside of the wheel it says made in the USA that gave me another go keep going.. I rather have these clean and be working on something else on the truck though.. Wheels are fun but hours and money and every type of cleaner gets a bit old.. I make sure to never let wheels get like this.. I love vintage cars and trucks.. Save things that are old are cool I didn't want to come off like complaining I just wanted hey try this and get me in a right direction lots have done that here..
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With 6 kids you practically have an army to help you work on them ;)
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True I have a starting basketball team with a back up on the bench.. God blessed me for sure with them.. That being said 5 of them are girls and the 2 older ones are boy crazy!! It's difficult ya know. That being said my boy is 2 he likes his little toy cars not into polishing some wheels lol.. My 8 year old daughter though she has given a hand she like the 64 impala no seat belts lol.. I teach them about the history of cars they always say dad prefers the old over new..
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Sorry to have found them for you, sounds like they are more work than you anticipated.
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I think in life everything you get that is older and vintage is going to be more work than I thought. I've been trying to get advice from people on easy way to get these back to looking good.. For what I payed I'm very happy these wheels restored go for big money.. I think it's my talents and the fact I've always had chrome and not aluminum I've tryed lots of products.. I get them cleaned just bit longer than I thought.. I'm happy you found them man.. I feel like I'm having to defend myself I just want to learn to do this right and faster lol.. I'm not paying someone to do it.. Just been getting tips that's it never said I did not like the wheels.. There rough but so is every project I take on I just do not know what I'm doing and admit that lol
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No need to tape off the spokes. You can just paint, then take some thinner and wipe the paint off the polished areas.
I don't know how well it works on something larger, like wheels, but when I painted my valve covers, I applied a coat of petroleum jelly to the fins that I didn't want painted. However, I don't remember if I wiped it off when the paint was still wet, or if I waited for it to dry. That might make a difference.
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No need to tape off the spokes. You can just paint, then take some thinner and wipe the paint off the polished areas.
I don't know how well it works on something larger, like wheels, but when I painted my valve covers, I applied a coat of petroleum jelly to the fins that I didn't want painted. However, I don't remember if I wiped it off when the paint was still wet, or if I waited for it to dry. That might make a difference.
I would think wet, like painters tape when painting a house, pull it off wet for the nice lines.
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Never thought of that I'm still scrubbing trying to get the in-between clean but paint is sounding good what you guys go with brand and color
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