Aluminum wheel polishing

[Coollou59]

I have a set of American Racing wheels in the past i rubbed Mothers aluminum polish til my fingers fell off. Is there anything on the market or any tool that i can use to cut my time and save my fingers in the process.

[Murr1525]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

What condition are they in?

Meguiars just came out with 3 polishes, a strong, medium, and mild one. So certainly the stronger polish would make things easier.

Also there are various Dynacone type polishing pads out there.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

These wheels are definitely bare, polished aluminum and not clear coated, right? When working with the other polish your applicator would be turning black as soot in no time if they are indeed bare metal. If your applicator is not coming up totally black, then they're clear coated and you should put away the metal polish and move to a paint care product.

The three new metal polishes that Mat mentioned should be hitting stores now and they really are fantastic products. This thread is a good indicator of what can be done with this trio, whether by hand or with a tool like our Dynacone Wheel Polishing tool. The Finishing Polish will leave you with a mirror finish on polished metals, provided you're not dealing with something so hammered that it's full of pits and really deep scratches.

[Coollou59]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

They are in not to bad of shape i mainly wanted to find some pad or tool to use so it wouldn't rip my fingers apart. Thanks for the info!!! I will purchase the different polishes.

[renegadejade]

How can you tell if a rim is clear coated? Just by rubbing the polish in and if the applicator isnt black then its clear coated or is there another way? Are factory rims usually the only ones clear coated? Maybe i should just start my own thread

[Detailing by M]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

get the Dyna Cone. Works great and better then Mothers balls

[Coollou59]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

Thank's Mike & fella's for all the info... This forum is really nice & informative i will try to keep my eye's on it daily to maybe help others and in the process improve my detailing skills.

[Murr1525]

Re: Aluminum wheel polishing

How can you tell if a rim is clear coated? Just by rubbing the polish in and if the applicator isnt black then its clear coated or is there another way? Are factory rims usually the only ones clear coated? Maybe i should just start my own thread

If you use a mild metal polish, or perhaps preferably a paint product like Ult. Compound, maybe SwirlX, the applicator will turn jet black from bare metal. And then will just turn dirty gray from a clear coated wheel.

I suppose the gentler method would be to call the dealer and ask...

Factory is usually painted and/or clear coated, unless something higher end. More durable for the average consumer that way.