8/1/2015
Substitute For Elbow Grease? |
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| Too Much Truck 25 May 2007 07:32 AM |
I have Alcoa rims.
To bring the fronts to a shine I spent hours n hours with a polisher. I found that the polishing compound quickly turned black and a thick paste. Only thing I could use to take it off is Brake Cleaner. I also fine that, following a rain the polished finish quickly reverts to a dirty film. Soap and water does not seem to help. I need to get out a polish of some sort to bring back the shine. With my front rims, are the chemicals that I am using attracting the dirt and making it harder to clean? Now I am about to tackle the four rears. The task looks daunting. I do not have the facility to remove the rims from the truck. Does anyone have any suggestions for technique, short-cuts, chemicals, pastes etc. to make the task easier. |
| 5th_Wheeler 25 May 2007 07:43 AM |
Cooking Up a Pot of HOME BREW: Homemade Metal Polish Recipe...... Moved to the web page Wheel Polishing. |
| Hogrydr 25 May 2007 09:07 AM |
This recipe is good. I don't put the Ammonia in it. I like it fairly thin so it doesn't get to thick causing the buffer I use on a electric drill to bog down. The shine Seems to last longer without the ammonia also....!!!
Just need to get myself to use it more often .. |
| 5th_Wheeler 25 May 2007 09:54 AM |
Jim I have a feeling if you hosted an open house at your place you would have a few volunteers willing to bring their trucks up so you could hone your polishing skills up again. |
| Hogrydr 25 May 2007 10:19 AM |
I can't shine my own wheels enough.... |
| Toterman 25 May 2007 10:22 AM |
My wheels and tank shined like new after paying someone else to do it.
That's the best way to get it done. I would not want an x-ray of my lungs after doing that job for a few hours. I looked for them this year at the Tampa show but I think they moved on. Some things are just better left to the pros |
| Hogrydr 25 May 2007 10:32 AM |
That's what I'm talking about !!!!! did you see my wash crew in my album !!!! |
| MakinSmoke 25 May 2007 04:38 PM |
Does anyone have a recommendation for something to spray on the rims after spending a half a day polishing them? Seems like there should be some kind of clearcoat to make the work last longer. |
| Toterman 25 May 2007 04:51 PM |
Sibernut experimented with a few different coatings and gave up. Said none of them worked very well. Might wait till he pipes in here. David |
| Hogrydr 25 May 2007 05:41 PM |
Airhorn The only thing I have found that does a fair job is "SEALANT" made by Alcoa The label says its an Aluminum care product. Of course they recommend using with 1) Alcoa Aluminum Cleaner 2) Alcoa Polish and 3)The Sealant. Its applied very easy. After Cleaning and polishing, you spray it on a dry cool polished surface. Let it sit for five minutes and then wash it off with water, the hose, and dry with a clean cloth. I don't think its worth the cost. But the phone number for it is 800/242-9898 Alcoa Wheel Products in Cleveland, Ohio ....JMHO Jim |
| MakinSmoke 25 May 2007 06:20 PM |
Thanks Jim. Is this an opportunity or what. A "permanent" polished aluminum sealer that was washable would be a gold mine |
| 5th_Wheeler 25 May 2007 06:32 PM |
You can purchase the Alcoa Aluminum Sealant online from SouthwestWheel.com |
| Too Much Truck 25 May 2007 09:24 PM |
Thanks for the formula.
Problem - got caught trying to sneak a pan outside. Was accused of being one of the Macbeth witches. Off to garage sales to find a suitable container. What I like about the formula is that it has a lot more lubricant for the polishing. Thanks |
| Scrap 25 May 2007 09:57 PM |
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| WildJohn 25 May 2007 10:00 PM |
When I found out all the "stainless" trim and drom boxes on my truck is REALLY polished aluminum I went on a search for ways and means of polishing... it appears the Cyclo polisher is the best tool and there are several suppliers that also have a wealth of chemicals available. I have the Cyclo and all the equipment ..all I am missing is the opportunity... (spelled energy) and I am going to get it all shined up and looking good. Polishing only occurs when the polish turns black.. the biggest mistake is using too much polish.. the tip of a match head they say... haven't tried it but will soon. Just washed my entire 5er this week... have to heal first..LOL.. John |
| OLDphoneman 25 May 2007 10:40 PM |
I use two products and do it the old fashioned way -- Hand Job
First product is a Jewelers Rouge - Medium Grade .. Like this one -- Green. Then I finish with Blue Magic. |
| SIBERNUT 26 May 2007 04:29 AM |
I shot my wheels and drom box with several things in an effort to achieve a low/no maintenance shine. POR 15 s**ks. Anyway, I used automotive 2 part clear coat and it seems to be the best. When it gets a little grubby, I spray stripper on it and polish it a little, shoot it again. A SMALL spray gun works best, like a spot-in gun. |
| lacofdfireman 26 May 2007 08:50 AM |
What is the cost on a Durabrite wheel? Are these the wheels that supposedly you never have to polish? |
| Scrap 26 May 2007 09:05 AM |
Soap and water and they are back to new. BUT road salts and deicer will mar them just like a polished if not washed off within a couple of days. They have more of a bright nickel finish than a deep polish, but the XBR is closer to the polished than the first version.
$484 ea. The XBR is a running change to the same part # wheel that came out this winter, so you have to keep on the tire guys to get the right ones from their warehouse. |
| Hogrydr 27 May 2007 04:13 AM |
Now all you need is ..Top Hat ... and lug nut covers //// |
| Bob T 28 May 2007 11:44 AM |
Hi, The most labor saving device for shining wheels is located in the back of the parking lot at the TA station at Eloy, AZ. [between Tucson and Phoenix.] There you will find about 6-7 fellows who will make your wheels sparkle for approx. $20 a wheel. We have been going back to them once a year for 3 years now and they do an excellent job. We also have them polish all our diamond plate. The only physical effort expended, on our part, is raising an arm to sip an adult beverage while the work is going on. Then reaching in our pocket to fish out some cash to pay them. |
| KAYERIVERCITY 28 May 2007 09:56 PM |
Wheels here are $8.00 if your a "regular"...if not it is more and everything is negotiable. I have steels and I paint them with a brush once every 2 years [if needed]. This was one of those years. I'm lazy and don't want to change that! geofkaye |
| KZX11 30 May 2007 09:45 AM |
I ordered some High Dollar Polish from Calf. Like $50.00. I forget the name of it, but it came with 2" by 2" piece of carpet to apply it with. Worked better than most things I've tried. But I think the carpet was the secret! Give it a Try. |
| smokeyjo 02 June 2007 04:44 PM |
Dri Wash 'n Guard Metal Polish does a great job on aluminum wheels with little effort. The Dri Wash 'n Guard Ultra-Ion Car Wash after polishing will coat the surface with a polymer glaze to keep them shiny longer. |
| Scrap 23 May 2009 12:57 PM |
And I even learned how to paint some PPG in the process (then of course smacked it putting the wheels on). I finally got her together and put on. Thanks For the motivation though, do I still need a tophat? |
| Hogrydr 23 May 2009 02:23 PM |
Now That's Purty !!!!!!! Yea the top hat would make it look finished Scrap !!!!!!!! How about a pic of them mounted on the ride ????? On second thought ... Maybe you better cover your nuts too !!!!! Jim |
| Phil D 23 May 2009 03:21 PM |
Scrap You're wasting your time asking "Mr. Shiny" if you can get away without a top hat. All of the visible unsprang weight on everything he runs for himself (the garbage trucks are just work trucks, but I have a hunch they're probably the cleanest fleet of garbage trucks around) is either rubber, stainless, polished, or has a cover with a shiny finish. Even his golf cart has aluminum wheels! To a "regular" guy, your detail work looks pretty good. |
| J.W. Morgan 23 May 2009 08:08 PM |
Scrap What do you charge, I have at least 3 trucks that need the same attention! (2 S/A, 1 T/A) |
| Scrap 24 May 2009 11:24 PM |
Yes I had a feeling Phil! Heh heh well it is going to take more than a chrome cover to make the truck look finished. Some year.
Pipe I charge $390 per wheel |
| aztowbum 25 May 2009 02:00 AM |
I'm glad somebody piped up with the "Slave Labor" note. I routinely drive right past one of our Phoenix areas Truck Stops and have noticed cars parked in empty lots nearby with Folks obviously jawwing on CB's and then noticed a few of them polishing away. So I pulled in with my Baby GMC and asked how much to do a cleanup on my Rims???
The Boss Lady said $10.00 apiece. I said "No Thankee" She said they'd do them for $10.00 for all Four then since it was slow. They did all four in about ten minutes..17" Rims. I'm sure there's crews like them everywhere. |
| Hogrydr 25 May 2009 09:16 AM |
I had a Idea that the tall grass by the shinny wheels had a deeper meaning!!!! Scrap you need to have a truck building party supply refreshments, parts, and stand back and supervise Jim |
| J.W. Morgan 25 May 2009 08:08 PM |
Scrap, Make you a deal, you go get my service truck and drive it back to WA and polish the wheels and I will let you use it to finish that truck! BTW are you getting a new KW piece at a time and only carrying out what you can fit in a lunch box? |
| Scrap 25 May 2009 11:42 PM |
Ha no it is 14 years and 3 interiors behind so it would turn out just like the song if that were the case. Plus it is a baby truck built in Canada. It came apart in 3 days. Been over a year going back together though . |
| J.W. Morgan 26 May 2009 05:04 PM |
Scrap, What exactly are you doing to it anyway? I am thinking a 14yr old truck wasn't quite ready for a frame off restoration. Now when you get done typing go bolt something on it! |
| ScottE 26 May 2009 05:44 PM |
Prepping the wheel before polishing will eliminate the hazing that occurs right after polishing with rouge or aluminum polish. There is a truck wash locally that polishes aluminum truck wheels, fuel tanks, headache racks, etc. and I learned their tricks by watching as my wheels and tanks on my tractor and flatbed were done. I used their methods and the wheels look like new polished wheels when done, and with basic washing have lasted for over two years before re-polishing. They clean the wheels with muriatic acid (pool acid) which turns them white. They then use two grades of sand paper to scuff the aluminum. The first is 400 grit, followed by 1600 grit. Those remove any light scratches and the 1600 gives a buffed look. Then using a high speed buffer and rouge, polish them to a smooth mirror finish. Normal regular washing keeps them clean and shiny. Been doing this with all of my trucks for years, although now I prefer to let them do them for me and save the sore back and sweat. It's worth the money. |