Wheels dead or alive???

[treestandjunkie]

Ok I was thinking of throwing these wheels in a scrap pile. They were sooo pitted and scratched up I never would have thought they would clean up. so here are some before pics.

[treestandjunkie]

Ok here is what I have so far. I took some meguires aluminum mag polish and applied it with super fine steel wool. And a whole lot of elbow grease. After I decide what to do with the centers I will get some clear coat to put on them. Any ideas or thoughts welcomed.

[three8six]

Why not powdercoat them? Or even paint them?

[treestandjunkie]

I cannot get the centers to clean up very good so I thought about painting the centers black and polishing the outers then clearcoating.

[three8six]

Sounds like a good idea to me, I've always had good look with paint sticking to wheels.

[1980c10]

centers are pretty universal, you should be able to buy another set fairly easy. I would not paint or clear coat the wheels as you won't be able to polish them in the future. However you can wax them after a good polish for a little extra protection. I always use polished aluminum rims because I can always make them look like new again.

[treestandjunkie]

These were polished rims but I think I probably took the coat off with the steel wool. lol

[1980c10]

that is the point of polished wheels (for me anyways)you can use steel wool sandpaper whatever you want to clean them up as they do not come with a protective coating. Just sand buff and polish your way out.

[Gregzz4]

Any set of Rims like yours are worth hanging onto if you are willing to keep at 'em
Not saying you will get 'em back to original, just that you could keep sanding and polishing until you find smooth metal.
Then clear or paint 'em.
My Old Man always reminded me....Time is Cheaper Than Money

[lucki17]

those look good! reminds me of how dirty mine are. the paint idea sounds okay but i think the black is getting old, everyone has black rims these days. im leaving the centers chrome and painting the whole lip red or blue when i do mine.... i like the center paint just not black, maybe gunmetal or even silver, that would make the polished lip really pop...

[treestandjunkie]

I kind of like the idea of gun metal. That may look pretty cool.

[fbody]

pretty good result for elbow grease.  they might shine up if you use a drill with one of those soft buffing wheels.

[ThisisnotRusty]

Keep 'em, and sand with 200 to 2000 grit sand paper and polish them, look even better than new.