Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

[kdonovan]

Hey I just bought these wheels there aluminum I was wondering what i can do to remove the grime and scratches[IMG][/IMG]

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

Do you have any knowledge if there is any clear coat on them?

Doesnt look like it, but best to be safe. If you do not know, you will want to take a paint cleaner like Ult. Compound, or similar you may have, and work it into an area. If your cloth turns soot black, it is bare metal. If just gray, or nothing, then it is clear coated.

If it is clear coated, you will want to treat it like paint, and just use the regular paint care products like Ult. Compound, #105, etc.

If it is bare metal, you could be a little more aggressive perhaps, using something like the Hot Rims Metal Polish and some #0000 steel wool to get started.

[kdonovan]

Re: Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

It does have a clear coat on them... So I scrub with Ultimate compound and it should remove all that grime and **** thats in the picture?

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

I cant say it will fix everything.... but UC and some terry cloth is where I would start, and see what is what.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

If these are clear coated there is obvious failure of that clear around the bolt holes, and that may not clean up really well. When that coating fails things can leach under it at the failure point and stain the aluminum underneath, and the only way to remedy that is to fully strip the wheel, polish it, and re-shoot the clear. Not easily accomplished for most home DIY-ers.

But, since they're clear coated and not bare metal, a paint cleaner product like Ultimate Compound is a better choice overall than a metal polish. Remember, what's important to consider when selecting a product is the actual surface you'll be working on; in this case, that's the clear coat, not what's under the clear.

[kdonovan]

Re: Cleaning Aluminum Wheels

what can I use to remove the clear coat and polish the aluminum