polished rim ?'s

[grantman240z]

i really want to get my rims all super shiny without the expense of chroming. I know with the right buffer and rubbing compound it could be done...just need to know if anyone has done it yet and what products did they use? Ive got the slotted mags on there right now.

[carguyinok]

before

[carguyinok]

after

[carguyinok]

I use mothers. It takes time to get them real good. Set aside around 8 hours if you are going to do it by hand. Get A pack of rubber gloves or your fingers will be black for some time.

take the wheel off the car or you wont do the job you want. Once you have them done the shine will last for a long time with just A fast wipe down @ the carwash.

[jcdozier]

Like CARGUYINOK, I used Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish and plenty of elbow grease. It's been over a year since I polished my slotted "mags" (they're actually aluminum) and they still look pretty good. Mine were in really bad condition, so it took a long time and a lot of rubbing - my fingers were sore for a couple of days.:tapemouth . I think a buffing wheel for a variable-speed electric drill or Dremel might make the job easier.

[carguyinok]

I thought the same about the drill & dremel. I WAS WRONG:finger:

I found that I was going through polish real fast & its spendy.

on top of that the dremel tools (buffing wheel) is poly so when it gets warm it melts:stupid:

So then I go and buy A buffing wheel for my drill

Dont waste the money less you buy A 5 gallon drum of polish.

even on low speed it ends up more work for the clean up from the spray that comes off the wheel. You also still need to hand rub them after the buffing wheel anyway.

As with most things shortcuts show. Take your time save your money and do them by hand you will be happy & proud.

[grantman240z]

awesome guys!!! exactly what im looking for. Ill probably end up doing it on one of my days off work.

[hmsports]

Check out Eastwood Company. They have all the right stuff for any type of polishing and restoring. Find out what you need and then check around for prices. I'm not sure they are the cheapest, but they have everything.

[EScanlon]

I've tried half a dozen different polishes including Mothers, Never Dull, Brasso, Eagle One, and more than I can remember their name. I've even done the red rouge, the green rouge, and the white rouge with different bonnets, cloths, techniques etc etc.

Of all of these by far the SIMPLEST and QUICKEST was Artesan Metal Polish from the POR folks.

The others work from Ok to Well, but the Artesan was able in all instances to IMPROVE the appearance of the previous polish. When used by itself it didn't require any more effort than the others.

Just my 2¢

[billcapp]

Hey Guys,

EScanlon about summed it up pretty well. For the past 20 years I have used the red and white rouge sticks on a cotton wheel on a variable speed drill.

I have polished many differnet items including my valve cover the brake master lids to the containers along with other aluminum wheels.

It hasn't taken more than a reasonable time to do the work. I found that over the years that if the material is in really baaad condition I would use a 1000 grit wet and dry paper first (lightly) to get it to a fairly smooth and clean point before using the rouge.

well that's my 2cents.

[St.stephen]

semi-chrome has worked wonders for me