Help me make my rims look new!

[Spidey]

K guys, I've used Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish, and that other stuff that is similar but blue, on the polished lip of my wheels. I don't know if I did it wrong or what, but it really didn't have much effect besides removing some water spots. What I did was get some on a slightly damp polishing cloth, and just rub it in for about 5-10 minutes per wheel, then wipe clean. Am I supposed to let it sit? Suggestions on some other polishes to use and some tips would be great.

Thanks,
Spidey

 

[Spidey]

Nobody polishes their rims?

 

[98_silvergs]

Have you tried using an electric buffer with some chrome polish?

I did this on my front strut bar and it was bling-blinging after

 

[special_K86]

i got some dirty ass hubs and i just washed them today as well as my car. but i just got some soap, they're still shitty looking, but at least they're clean shitty. I used some dish soap and windex. Works like a charm. This probably didn't help, it just probably got you confused, but thats what i do to my hubbies, well the shit rim under hubbies. Lates- Kevin

 

[special_K86]

My way is better.- Kevin

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

I have also tried the muthers to no avail. It is because of the clear coat on them.

 

[TechT]

If you keep on using the Mothers polish over time it'll start to eat the clearcoat away...Hence i've been through it already..Anyways I repainted my wheels and a stripped the rest of the clearcoat off with paint stripper...WOW...What a difference that made..I'll get some pics tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

[crazyjoe]

There are 2 key steps to polishing aluminum and stainless steel really nicely...one of them is the very fine abrasves you find in those polishes you are using.....the other is heat. Heat is what you generate with a buffer that can spin at a few hundred to a few thousand rpms while it has tiny abrasives on it.

Give it a shot....if you have an electric drill, they sell buffing pads you can hook up like drill bits for about 7 bux, and at least that way your arm won't fall off once you finally have the right amount of shine on there.

 

[TechT]

I'm going to try the drill thing...My fingers always afterwards..The only problem i'll have is that my spokes are to close to my lips to get it really good.My wheels look just like these,but I have the ADR version.

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[Spidey]

I definately appreciate the help guys, I'm going to try the drill deal as well. How hard is it to strip the clearcoat on the lip? Also is that a bad idea if you plan on having them for awhile, or will they be easier to keep clean and shine? My rims are going to be "customized" soon and maybe I'll get the clearcoat stripped also depending on what I hear about it.

 

[TechT]

For me it was easy as hell since I was painting my wheels Black Met...If you want to only stripe the lips you'll need to tape everything else up real good...I'll get the pic up for sure tomorrow.

 

[TechT]

Spidey,go to the link..I posted pics of my car and my new wheels freshly painted with Dupli-Color rattle can paint.Look for the post with my user name TechT.

http://dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=793922#post793922

 

[crazyjoe]

They make buffing pads in both disc-style and some shaped more like slightly tapered cylinders...get one of each and you should be all set.

 

[vertGST]

i need to re polish the lips on my rims. only the two front rims. if any one tries the methods listed here i would like to see pictures if possible.

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