EXT: Rim Polishing

[accordztech]

well someone on this site helped me think of this method...later ill announce who it is.

i have had a really bad time with my rims for the last 5 years. a long time ago i let the water sit on my rim and it killed it...made it look ugly. usually i wax the rim but that doesnt last long.

After hearing about this i had to try it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Materials:
Mothers: Mag & Aluminum cleaner (found at any auto store $3.99)
Buffer...high speed (optional)*usually most would do good without a high speed or a buffer...yet i just couldnt get it to look nice, so i whipped out my sander--->converted into a buffer/polisher hahaha
Rags: 2 to 4 of them...perferably terry or microfiber. (i used cotton).

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p61b422a51171b9680dafdac03c9c427d/fa40e21a.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procedure:

1. first clean the rim...i was lazy so i just wiped the outside of the rim and decided later ill clean the rest.

2. get the application rag and apply a small but decent amount on it and then rub into the rim a section at a time. try to rub in the trouble spots more....

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p26759c0b0b2af0475509c6ba2ac83329/fa40e208.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p4c737fe31cffbbb2f953221dcf76db46/fa40e1f3.jpg
3. either buff off or use the high speed buffer to take it off
4. inspect the rim and try again if there is any trouble spots....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
starting product
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pb7b59dc32fd8ed8eea7ac5b11f8ed0f6/fa40e21d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p3a71ef192d41e4d66ff1d16365474e60/fa40e221.jpg

after first clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p215791854adcde75734cd9a2da8c1d99/fa40e20f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pe81b1da959eb5c9167649bf768e8c7f8/fa40e200.jpg
..still spots see

after 2nd clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pc219f8f73ec3f3bf0ace1568f541e41f/fa40e1e8.jpg
....much nicer...it can be better

after 3rd clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p5420ce63a2995e82b3a55e04bf139f2a/fa40e1e2.jpg

pretty easy isnt it? not in my case, i had to do at least 6 applications and buffings for my rim. but really it was worth it in the end. but this process took me umm...3 hours...thats cause i was playing with the dremel and how to apply it.

2 rims took me an hour....since i did it soo many times and took breaks every damn time hahahah!

Finished product!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p61b422a51171b9680dafdac03c9c427d/fa40e21a.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a very easy DIY. Most people dont concider the fact that their rims look wack....i do....and you guys thought i had a clean car!! hahahah.

Later ill clean it up and apply this stuff on the spots where the brake dusts sits....

BTW: this product gets out stains like nothing...i had some brake dust stains from years ago...this product worked like a charm...

Hope you guys enjoy...for the person who helped me...thanks...when i find out your name ill post it here.

[accordzoom]

dayyumn, that made a gigantic difference, nice work

[xplode]

Good DIY... there ztech.. too bad no one really has their alloys anymore.. :lol:

[cp[mike]]

Originally posted by xplode
Good DIY... there ztech.. too bad no one really has their alloys anymore.. :lol:

im gonna go out and polish my hubcaps. :lol: very nice DIY tho, if i ever get a set of 5th gen alloys, this will be the first thing i do to them.

[pillypimpinit]

you think that will work on my polished lip on my wheels

ppi

[xplode]

for sure it will work on the polished lip..

[accordztech]

o yea no doubt...

[xplode]

Originally posted by cpmike
im gonna go out and polish my hubcaps. :lol: very nice DIY tho, if i ever get a set of 5th gen alloys, this will be the first thing i do to them.

Umm get new hubs, theyre so cheap its not worth cleaning or anything

[accordztech]

haha common, save some money....clean em...

you know what would look sweet, gunmetal caps mMMmm...or some other color haha that would be bad ass

[xplode]

either way... i reccomend using a microfiber towel.. i bought about 20 of em.. they work wonders for removing polish and what not... beautiful and no lint or anything... microfiber is so sexy its craaaaaazy.. (just messin)..

[accordztech]

when i get some cash ill probably buy some microfiber towels.. i felt them and really i can just say that they really are good towels...there is a site that sells them at a discount...ill post it later.

[xplode]

yeah do post a link im sure alot of people would want to buy em.. i just buy em from a normal store.. i buy the Turtle Wax brand cloths theyre super high quality.. theyre only like 12 bux for 3 of em..

[cp[mike]]

i was kidding about polishing my hubcaps :p

[uncle_el]

looks good man. with a whole lot of us going the 5gen alloy route, i'm sure this will be beneficial.

[h22sparkle]

Nice diy too bad i dont have my shits on Though i already painted my caps with the plastic covers off em to a jet black

[accordztech]

hahahah what kinda car u got again...

[Legacy Accord]

Hope you guys enjoy...for the person who helped me...thanks...when i find out your name ill post it here.

it was me :boink:

[Prez808]

Cool, looks great! I'm glad that works, because I hesitated on trying it since the label didn't mention clearcoated rims. At least I didn't see it :)

Has anyone tried a product called "Wheel Wax". That would maybe make a good final step??

Great job again! My rims need that treatment too!

[accordztech]

never heard of that, but any wax should work...hehe

[Prez808]

Originally posted by accordztech
never heard of that, but any wax should work...hehe

Now you have ;) Here's the link: http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/wheelwax/wheelwax.jsp

[accordztech]

hey thats cool, finally a wax made for rims. other waxes arent really made for rims so there is no tellin how long they last...

tell me, is it a carnuba base or a polymer sealant?

[Prez808]

This is what the first line reads: "Wheel Wax is different from wheel polishes because it is not a polish, it is a wax formulated with space age polymers and resins, a heat resistant sealant and carnauba wax, which provides the ultimate protection for wheels."

Never used the stuff though.. Who's first?? :)

[accordztech]

well carnuba waxes are made for shine, but not longevity...yet polymer waxes are made for longevity and a decent shine.

that product combines it all and really is interesting, as well as heat resistant..i think its a good product looking at it from my view.

[hayasa]

could the thread starter reload the pix,
i'll host if u cant find anyone else

[TypeG]

just be careful not to burn off the clearcoat. later.

[maroonaccord2.2]

Ya, that's confusing me. If these are clear coated like my lude wheels, then how is it that you can use a mag and aluminum wheel cleaner designed for use on an uncleared surface? Shouldn't they be using a rubbing compound, and then a good wax for the final finish? Otherwise, the wheels would need to be stripped then re-clear coated after polishing. Correct me if I'm wrong..... :confused:

[accordztech]

i think the pics are working now.

Ya, that's confusing me. If these are clear coated like my lude wheels, then how is it that you can use a mag and aluminum wheel cleaner designed for use on an uncleared surface? Shouldn't they be using a rubbing compound, and then a good wax for the final finish? Otherwise, the wheels would need to be stripped then re-clear coated after polishing. Correct me if I'm wrong..... :confused:

hehe maybe a misconseption...a clear coat can have slight oxidation at the very very top layer.

you can use rubbing compound as well. in a certain view, this wheel cleaner is a slight rubbing compound as well.

[bkaccord91]

well someone on this site helped me think of this method...later ill announce who it is.

i have had a really bad time with my rims for the last 5 years. a long time ago i let the water sit on my rim and it killed it...made it look ugly. usually i wax the rim but that doesnt last long.

After hearing about this i had to try it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Materials:
Mothers: Mag & Aluminum cleaner (found at any auto store $3.99)
Buffer...high speed (optional)*usually most would do good without a high speed or a buffer...yet i just couldnt get it to look nice, so i whipped out my sander--->converted into a buffer/polisher hahaha
Rags: 2 to 4 of them...perferably terry or microfiber. (i used cotton).

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p61b422a51171b9680dafdac03c9c427d/fa40e21a.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Procedure:

1. first clean the rim...i was lazy so i just wiped the outside of the rim and decided later ill clean the rest.

2. get the application rag and apply a small but decent amount on it and then rub into the rim a section at a time. try to rub in the trouble spots more....

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p26759c0b0b2af0475509c6ba2ac83329/fa40e208.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p4c737fe31cffbbb2f953221dcf76db46/fa40e1f3.jpg
3. either buff off or use the high speed buffer to take it off
4. inspect the rim and try again if there is any trouble spots....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
starting product
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pb7b59dc32fd8ed8eea7ac5b11f8ed0f6/fa40e21d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p3a71ef192d41e4d66ff1d16365474e60/fa40e221.jpg

after first clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p215791854adcde75734cd9a2da8c1d99/fa40e20f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pe81b1da959eb5c9167649bf768e8c7f8/fa40e200.jpg
..still spots see

after 2nd clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/pc219f8f73ec3f3bf0ace1568f541e41f/fa40e1e8.jpg
....much nicer...it can be better

after 3rd clean
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p5420ce63a2995e82b3a55e04bf139f2a/fa40e1e2.jpg

pretty easy isnt it? not in my case, i had to do at least 6 applications and buffings for my rim. but really it was worth it in the end. but this process took me umm...3 hours...thats cause i was playing with the dremel and how to apply it.

2 rims took me an hour....since i did it soo many times and took breaks every damn time hahahah!

Finished product!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid93/p61b422a51171b9680dafdac03c9c427d/fa40e21a.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a very easy DIY. Most people dont concider the fact that their rims look wack....i do....and you guys thought i had a clean car!! hahahah.

Later ill clean it up and apply this stuff on the spots where the brake dusts sits....

BTW: this product gets out stains like nothing...i had some brake dust stains from years ago...this product worked like a charm...

Hope you guys enjoy...for the person who helped me...thanks...when i find out your name ill post it here.


can you do this wit out a buffer ?

[93twodoorLX]

im gonna be doing this on deevergotes EX wheels when i fully detail his car, im gonna hopefully do before and after pics his shit is maaaaaaad dirty lol hopefully he'll see this and be embarased and let me do it sooner

-sean

[npor]

i'm out in my garage doin it now :tu:

[npor]

can you do this wit out a buffer ?


not my DIY, but i'll answer.


yeah, you can....but the results will NOT be anywhere near what they would be with a buffer. i strongly reccomend picking up a buffer. one that goes on the end of a drill, a drill attachment[:

then go to work.


also, with hand buffing, the work will be like 10000x harder. trust me. :tu:

[accordztech]

sears craftsman has one for around 20 bucks, i use it on all my cars, its perfect.

[Spartan1987]

I am curious...
My alloys have scratches in the clear coat. (I have 15" Prelude wheels.)
Can you just buff it back or do you have to strip them down and then reapply the coat?
If I have to strip em, what is the best way besides sanding?

[Spartan1987]

Ok I found a better, but longer solution... :D
I got a can of aircraft stripper and took the clearcoat completely off.
I then got out my Mag and Aluminum polish and buffed the crap out of them.
I'll post pics later when they're finished.
I hope when I do the caps it doesn't take the "H" off...
Do any of you know if it will? Or is the "H" a decal underneath? :shrug:
I guess I'll know one way or the other in the next few days... :bouncy:

[papychulo82]

PLEASE post pics once you finish that man...im curious to see how it'll look (center cap) because mine look funky as hell

[papychulo82]

got a question...couldn't you just use the mag polish to get it as shiny as you want, then just spray some clear coat over it for protection?

[Ralphie]

i dunno about that but i did this today to my drivers side rear wheel w/o a buffer and i could tell the difference...i think my clear coat is long gone. All i know is that when i clean them with your run of the mill cleaners there is this white hazing that reappears...well not anymore...if your thinking about doing this id say go for it...just dont use the mothers on material it isnt suppose to be used on. The buffer is the sure fire way to go but since i dont have one i just did it by hand...is a lil tougher but i did it the same as you would waxing your car and it was incredible..im going to take before and after of the other 3 and post them...fuckin so sweet. lmao!

[Spartan1987]

got a question...couldn't you just use the mag polish to get it as shiny as you want, then just spray some clear coat over it for protection?

Ok man, I used the aircraft stripper on one of the caps awhile back and it took the clear right off, but it also took the H out as well.
I am currently running without them b/c I haven't gotten around tog etting wheel locks yet and my lug nuts stick out too far.
I plan to get the rims powdercoated clear someday, and I am going to make new H's out of Vinyl before I powder them and then lay that down on top of them. I hope it works. :shrug:

[accrdpower]

nicely done.....never even thought of it.....i actually still have my stockies that i use during the winter...maybe i will try and giveem a lil polish. :)

[TypeG]

a tip for getting the wet look...

i used the mag and aluminum polish first, i really didn't need it but i had a few light water spots, so the mag polish is the work horse.

then i used mother's clear coat wheel polish (very hard to find). you can also use plastic polish on the wheels because unlike the clearcoat on your paintjob, the wheel clearcoat has plastic in it (plasticized).

next, 3 coats of mother's sealer and glaze. you can put up to 3 layers before you stop noticing a difference.

and finally, wax. to protect.

after doing this, i noticed a difference. the wheels looked wet to me. i could see reflections before, but now they where much sharper and picking up the color of things around it. hard to do on just clearcoat. later.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d630b3127cce8c786b2ccaf900000016108Aas2zFi1buK

[vermicide_esp]

bump this up!

i've been looking for something like this for a while. i'm sure others will also find this handy, especially the n00b's.

[Scubasteve_dan]

What about clear coated rims? If clear coat is peeling of a rim, what would this do?

[steelbluesleepR]

use paint stripper to take it all off, polish it, then re-clear (if you want to, not nessecary).

ill be using this method for some...to be announced new modifications :evil:

[typhoon]

I got this set of 91 EX rims of ebay. $260 shipped wasn't too bad. But the clearcoat was seriously oxidized.
So here I am putting some aircraft stripper to it. BTW any areas that don't have the machine finish have a layer of clear + silver paint. so glob it on thicker in those areas.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/stripping2.jpg
Here is the before and after being stripped.
I'm still trying to figure out if I want to spary clearcoat or just wax the raw aluminum
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/BF.jpg

[F20A CB7]

I got this set of 91 EX rims of ebay. $260 shipped wasn't too bad. But the clearcoat was seriously oxidized.
So here I am putting some aircraft stripper to it. BTW any areas that don't have the machine finish have a layer of clear + silver paint. so glob it on thicker in those areas.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/stripping2.jpg
Here is the before and after being stripped.
I'm still trying to figure out if I want to spary clearcoat or just wax the raw aluminum
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/BF.jpg


dam man nice job, wat did u usew 2 scrap it off, like a RAG, i had a hard tiem tryin 2 FIND wat will work the BEST cuz the paint was comin off but wat i was using was messin me up, i was usin a copper brush kinda. something similair to a brillow PAD

[typhoon]

To get it perfect it might need 3 coats maybe 4. To clean it off I wipe the first batch of gunk with paper towels so it's 80% clean. This stuff is water base, so I take a bucket of warm water with a sponge and/or wash cloth and I use an old toothbrush for the nooks and crannies.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/finished.jpg

[F20A CB7]

Heres my pics of my wheel with paint remover from advance auto parts
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030077.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030079.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030076.jpg

FINISHED producthttp://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/Picture008.jpg

[blkhonda1991]

Heres my pics of my wheel with paint remover from advance auto parts
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030077.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030079.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/S5030076.jpg

FINISHED producthttp://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/sohcb7/Picture008.jpg
shit looks brand new! damn!

[F20A CB7]

^^^^^^ thanks man. i need to get on the wagon and finish them up. but its a fun project. i used dupli color metallic for the insides and dupli color or trim paint for the wheels, the reason y i used that kind of paint is cuz i didnt want a flat blk look, and i didnt want a SHINY ass blk look. so the trim is even! :tu:

[F20A CB7]

To get it perfect it might need 3 coats maybe 4. To clean it off I wipe the first batch of gunk with paper towels so it's 80% clean. This stuff is water base, so I take a bucket of warm water with a sponge and/or wash cloth and I use an old toothbrush for the nooks and crannies.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h69/typhoon51/finished.jpg
so wat did u so jus sand them all the way down to the metal and clear coated them?

[Accord07]

today i got some turtle wax chrome polish, would that be a good alternative to the mother's mag and aluminum cleaner ?
plus im gonna use these to polish up my exhaust tips as well, and possibly trim.
shouldnt do any harm right ?

[Accord07]

????/

[steelbluesleepR]

yes, it would work. it is a slightly different grain, but i cant remember if it is more or less aggressive than mothers.

[Accord07]

yes, it would work. it is a slightly different grain, but i cant remember if it is more or less aggressive than mothers.

yeah its liquid, while mothers is paste...i dont want to ruin my rim, thats why im asking.

[Scubasteve_dan]

Would using steel wool carefully help to get the really tough spots out? I got a few bad pots I want to get out and I'm not sure if polish will do it.

[steelbluesleepR]

light steel wool then a fine scotch bright pad, then 1000 grit sandpaper, then 1500-2000 grit, then polish, polish, polish.

[TypeG]

today i got some turtle wax chrome polish, would that be a good alternative to the mother's mag and aluminum cleaner ?

plastic polish is a good alternative. it works on the wheels because the clear coat is a plasticized urethane. later.

[JohnD1079]

What would i do to take out spots like these? do i just keep on polishing untill they go away, or am i supposed to use something else?

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/JohnD1079/summer.jpg

[Losiracer2]

okay so i just got some new wheels, RO_JA formula 7s, and what is it that you need to do to keep them in tip top shape? They're painted gunmetal with a clearcoat. Do i just wash them with dish detergent and water? or can i use that eagle 1 A2Z stuff? and as for waxing them...what's a good product to keep that shine and to protect it from the elements?

[Blk EX Coupe]

okay so i just got some new wheels, RO_JA formula 7s, and what is it that you need to do to keep them in tip top shape? They're painted gunmetal with a clearcoat. Do i just wash them with dish detergent and water? or can i use that eagle 1 A2Z stuff? and as for waxing them...what's a good product to keep that shine and to protect it from the elements?

Why not go out and buy a dedicated wheel cleaner and wheel wax/sealant?

[eriemoto.]

will mag/aluminum polish buff out left over rattle can paint spots on a wheel?

[TypeG]

will mag/aluminum polish buff out left over rattle can paint spots on a wheel?
yes.

i've even heard of someone removing their clearcoat using mag polish only and by hand. later.

[accordtypeR]

Damn I need to find me some stock rims quickly...great DIY thread.

[hondaacc91]

i got some sawblade and the the clear coat is coming off and if i take off the clear coat how do i put another clearcoat on

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/hondaacc91/003.jpg

[cb7'kid]

i got some sawblade and the the clear coat is coming off and if i take off the clear coat how do i put another clearcoat on

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/hondaacc91/003.jpg

you spray them with clearcoat... :shrug:

[hondaacc91]

you spray them with clearcoat... :shrug:

oh do you think just the clear coet is peeling if it looks like thats

[cb7'kid]

oh do you think just the clear coet is peeling if it looks like thats

if i were you, polished/wetsand them coz it looks like it has some curb rashes on wat im seeing, since your gonna work on them anyway polished em.. :shrug: just my opinion. im pickin up a pair of sawblades this week as well and im gonna start cleaning them up and paint them. :tu: how much did u get urs for?? with tires??

[hondaacc91]

if i were you, polished/wetsand them coz it looks like it has some curb rashes on wat im seeing, since your gonna work on them anyway polished em.. :shrug: just my opinion. im pickin up a pair of sawblades this week as well and im gonna start cleaning them up and paint them. :tu: how much did u get urs for?? with tires??

40 without tires

[cb7'kid]

40 without tires

damn not bad.. lol im gettin mine 90 with tires.. nice steal on those man! :tu:

[hondaacc91]

damn not bad.. lol im gettin mine 90 with tires.. nice steal on those man! :tu:

thanks

[90ACCORDLXGUY]

oh do you think just the clear coet is peeling if it looks like thats

Just be sure to take the center caps out before you strip them.