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Technical need advice on aluminum wheel cleaning

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by atch, Feb 6, 2024.

  1. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,445

    atch
    Member

    Talked with the tire shop today. They are removing the "big" tires and installing smaller tires on these wheels. I take it back in next Friday. They will install the front wheels/tires and raise the front using the torsion bars; then realign the front end. After that I should be able to drive it anywhere anytime.

    If it were just the tires they could do that today but the alignment is booked up until next Friday.
     
  2. slayer
    Joined: Jun 5, 2005
    Posts: 2,073

    slayer
    Member

    Yep, zoo is about a mile from me. I have a co- worker or two from Mokina.
     
    427 sleeper likes this.
  3. Driver50x
    Joined: May 5, 2014
    Posts: 576

    Driver50x
    Member

    IMG_0861.jpeg My daily driver has a set of slotted aluminum mags on it. They are in a little nicer shape than yours, but not much. I periodically clean them with plain old soap and water and a green 3M scouring pad. I find this keeps them pretty newish looking, without over polishing them. Plus, if you want to be traditional, they only looked like brand new for the first few months anyway.
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2024
  4. atch
    Joined: Sep 3, 2002
    Posts: 6,445

    atch
    Member

    Does the 3M pad leave scratch marks?
     
  5. Driver50x
    Joined: May 5, 2014
    Posts: 576

    Driver50x
    Member

    In direct sunlight I can see all the scratches. In more “normal” lighting the scratches are almost invisible. IMG_0870.jpeg
     
  6. willys36
    Joined: May 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,214

    willys36
    Member

    Lots of good info. If you want them shiny, try just polishing them on a powerful wheel with white compound. If they are deeply pitted, which they don't look like, scotch-brite them first. Here is the aluminum center from a '60s Rader wheel that was in about the same corroded condition your wheels look like. They turned out really well just with a short session on the polishing wheel. A little more TLC sanding and scotch-briting rough spots they would be perfect. I eventually sent the to the chrome plater to be chromed.
    stock wheel.jpg wheel spider.JPG
     
  7. JD Miller
    Joined: Nov 12, 2011
    Posts: 2,698

    JD Miller
    Member

    rod1 and mad mikey like this.
  8. 38Chevy454
    Joined: Oct 19, 2001
    Posts: 6,800

    38Chevy454
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Late to the discussion. For front tires look into 185R15 size. Might also be 185/80R15. Tall enough, but narrower. Size used on some of the British sports cars. I run this size on my 52 GMC fronts, with 255/60R15 rear.
     
  9. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,936

    6sally6
    Member


    I don't know bout dat !!
    I'm your pretty lazy let's-work-on-the-motor-and-screw-the-outside kinda guy! I have used Mothers cleaner for ALUMINUM wheels and its pretty much a spray it on and rinse it off with the hose pipe thing! AMAZING
    (the last time I used it about 2 tears ago!):rolleyes::rolleyes:
    I guess they coulda removed the stuff that really cleans like the paint stripper people but it smelled like ammonia and would burn your eyes when sprayed. Strong stuff fer sure.....
    6sally6
     

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