Getting oxidized aluminum wheels clean?

[Cheyenne]

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??

[slammed79]

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

[VileZambonie]

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.

[1980c10]

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.

[Cheyenne]

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..

[rwhit57]

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.

[Dr_Snooz]

You might try what this guy did. http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=659833

[Cheyenne]

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

[rwhit57]

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.   

[Cheyenne]

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

[rwhit57]

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.   

[Cheyenne]

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

[rwhit57]

No need to tape off the spokes. You can just paint, then take some thinner and wipe the paint off the polished areas.   

[74k20]

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

[rwhit57]

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.