Stripping and Polishing Aluminum Rims

[michiganmobile]

I picked up a set of aluminum rims. 2 of which needed to cleaned. I bought heavy duty paint stripper from Lowes and carefully applied it to one rim at a time. It took about 3 applications to strip the rim. I was careful not to get any stripper on the gray area which still looked nice. I used 320 sand paper to remove the oxidiation. I sanded in the direction of the smalls lines. Then I used 0000 steelwool to lightly polish the rims in the same direction as the sand paper. I used a drill with a buffer attachment that I got at Lowes. It is a 4 inch buffering wheel for a bench grinder. I also purchased the drill attachment so I use it on my drill. I buffed the wheel with rubbing compound. Considering the condition it came out real nice. I am not applying clear coat because it is easier and cheaper to repolish the rims with Mothers Mag Polish.

[MountainManJoe]

Nice work. I would do the same to my mags, except they wouldn't match the rest of my van (not very shiny). I really hate that clear coat stuff.

[LaGrasta]

Wow, so nice. What a difference.

[snapple]

Looks great!
I have a set,I was thinking of cleaning up & re-clearcoating. Thanks for changing my mind!

[safari kev]

those look great. I need to strip and polish the rims on my van. the clear coat looks like crap and theres oxidation from wheel weights damaging the finish.