Getting oxidized aluminum wheels clean?

[Cheyenne]

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!

[1980c10]

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.

[Grim 82]

Less is more, for sure, but if that suggestion doesn't get results for you, scuff them up clean and clear coat them.

[Cheyenne]

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

[Cheyenne]

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

[74k20]

The soap SOS pads helped me out A LOT on my slots.

[Grover 1]

Wheel brightener = acid in a lot of cases.  Don't it on too long or it will "burn" the wheel.

[Psycho71]

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.

[VileZambonie]

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.

[Cheyenne]

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

Same wheel


The other wheel little to no work on these

[1980c10]

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.
 

[1979C20]

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.

[Cheyenne]

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..

[Grover 1]

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.

[slammed79]

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.