Cleaning Aluminum rims. HELP PLEASE!
 

Hello gang need advice... I picked up a set of rims of a malibu... I want to put them on my Alero but their a bit ruff looking like the finish is all discoloured and kinda off.... Any suggestions on a good way to clean them up so they look better??? kinda got a white crust here and there and discoloured..
Any suggestions other than snading them down and painting them??
HELP PLEASE!

Okay ... Go to Autozone (or whatever it is called up there.) Buy two products:

1: Simple Green (Should remove that built up residue.)
2: Never-Dull (Takes out the discoloration and will help polish them up.)

Now spray on the simple green and let sit for a bit or just spray on a scrub pad and then scrub your wheels. Spray your wheels off to get ALL of the simply green off of them. Then once you have removed the residue take out some of the never-dull (just rip a little chunk off) and start to polish up the wheels. Once done with that just wipe down with a rag/towel and your done. Repeat if nessesary.

Aircraft stripper and Chrome polish

LOL ... That is some good stuff.

But ... for his purposes/practicality ... NOT Possible.

And just so ya know Simple Green is used by the Air Force to clean just about anything. :)

25% hydrolic acid 25% sulfric acid 50% water...thats what we have at our shop...just dont let it sit real long...it's available from prowax.com but you will have to have it shipped to a shop and pay hazmat fee's. but its awsome shit.

sounds just like the stuff i use.......... mine is pink in color and called "thermo Kleen"

acid based wheel cleaners are the best stuff ever

lol i knew some guy that used to clean his car with that shit too

ours is called alluminite 5 gallons makes 15 so its pretty sweet.

Do you have pictures?
Are they just polished or are they clear coated?

If they are just polished a heavy acid or alkalie based product may do some heavy damage if left on too long. Even Simple green could have an effect if left to dwell too long.
If they are polished aluminum, you could pick up some Eagle one A2Z All in one wheel cleaner from Canadian tire. follow the instructions and then you could follow up with mothers aluminum polish (great if you applied it with a mothers powerball) that should bring them back to looking great.

If they are clear coated still use the EO A2Z, but then treat them like you would any painted surface.

HTH
"J"

I think thier not polished just the basic Aluminum.. Maybe clear coated??? Cant really tell honestly... their is like a white powder on them.. and some weird residue.. just from sitting I think.. I think I might try strtrydr's idea! See how that works if not.. try the other options listed here.. see whats going to work.. I just like the style of rims their the ones off most Impala's and malibu's...
You guys rock on the help.. all the help is needed here I am found of them and want them on my Alero..
Any question while on this topic.. They should fit the Alero right?? I belive their is no issue with fitment.. but never tried them on yet.. same size tire and wheel as mine has..

But I will let you guys know a.s.a.p how it workS!!! And thanks again!

the will fit with no problems

Thanks sweet and low.. tomarrow I am going to see what I can do with them.. See if their going to come back to life!! will let you peeps know!
Thanks again.

yeah, pay my fees

lol Can I owe you Haz Mat?? lol
Well UPDATE~ The clear coat was off them partly after spending over 5 hours Saturday cleaning the rims and trying to get them to look good I failed totally. The clear coat was peeling off partly, and there was alot of sratches and what not.. So I decided to paint them and leave the rim center's the way they were.. I used Duplicolour's wheel paint and clear coat.. Honestly they look good. Used Graphic looking paint and it has Metal fleck in it. I ended up sanding them 2 of them down till almost a polish cleaning them up preped them properly. Painted 2 of the rims and they turned out killer. So I am going to try and do the other 2 next weekend. Although 5 hours of cleaning 3 hours of prep for each rim before paint.. its alot of work but its going to pay off I think.

I will post pics if anyone is interested in before and after's let me know.
Dano and thanks for the hepl guys.

Of course we want pics :D

"J"

I picked up some never dull.....that stuff is tha bomb. I was skeptical at first cuz it looks like cotton and cotton seeds lol.

But its awesome.

ok got before and after's only thing is how do I post them?? Sorry stupid here to computers for the most part.
But they are decent pics taken on a camera phone so not the best.. anyone know how to get these puppies posted?

When you go to the advanced screen to create a reply, you can click on Manage Attachments. That will let you upload the pictures to the site.

Refinished sorry it took so long~!
 

Well here are the rims I refinished tell me what you think guys?? sorry the quality is low I resized them in paint.. it was the only method I knew and it took alot of the quality out..
Let me know your opinions!


Attachment 2056

Attachment 2057

Attachment 2058

looks like they came out alright, any pics of how they look on the car.

"J"

looks good.

Thanks I like them alot I think they turned out really well soon will have them on and post pics!
Thanks