Help with cleaning machined aluminum wheel!

[chrylaser]

Hi,

I just stripped 27 year old clearcoat off my car's machined aluminum rims. There isnt any pitting, but there are a lot of white marks (aluminum oxide?) and some dark spots. I sprayed and scrubbed with aluminum wheel cleaner. Rubbing compound and aluminum polish (both by hand) havent removed the imperfections. I dotn want to sand the rim because I like the original machined look (many times circular lines). I do get a lot of black soot off when I polish. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Murr1525]

What were you polishing with? Terry cloth?

[chrylaser]

Diaper like polishing cloths. I even tried to use a scotchbrite pad in one spot-didnt do anything.

[Murr1525]

Well, terry cloth would be the usual applicator. Need something with a little bite to it.

I use #0000 steel wool with the Hot Rims M&A Polish for my mufflers/tips.

And there is always the Powerball type things.

[chrylaser]

Do you think the #0000 steel wool will remove the machined finish? Thanks for the tip.

[subboz]

Here is what I did. Red scotchbrite pad with mother's mag and wheel Polish. Will leave chalky residue then Polish with same Polish and use megs powercone on corded drill. Lots of black residue. Final Polish with megs all metal Polish with powercone. Far easier to take wheels off and do standing up with wheel flat.

[chrylaser]

Here is what I did. Red scotchbrite pad with mother's mag and wheel Polish. Will leave chalky residue then Polish with same Polish and use megs powercone on corded drill. Lots of black residue. Final Polish with megs all metal Polish with powercone. Far easier to take wheels off and do standing up with wheel flat.

Was that on a machined finish?

[Murr1525]

Do you think the #0000 steel wool will remove the machined finish? Thanks for the tip.

Hmm... I guess it depends how fine the machining marks are... I dont think it would be too aggressive, but a test spot would be best. Or maybe kind of work along the marks, not across them.

[chrylaser]

Here is a more up-close view.



Does the steel wool lead to rusting?

[Murr1525]

I do mine once a year... no more rust shows up than on anything else.

You could try a spot with the white stuff in one of the holes maybe.. kind of out of the way to test it. If the white stuff is etched in though, you would lose the machining marks in the area removing it.