how to restore aluminum weld wheels ?

[565bbchevy]

not sure if it is cleared or not but thanks for the tips will read thru this all and try it.

If they are Welds then they are polished.

 

[axisg]

I have done a few sets of alum wheels now to flip for profit. If its really bad then I have done the 800 grit wet sanding deal all the way up to 1500 then with aluminum polish. I did all the raised alum for the wheels on my car. I probably have 4-5 hours per wheel on those biatches !! My hands hurt just thinking about it
But now most of the time I start with dollar store oven cleaner. Per the pics you posted I would leave it on for 30 seconds then wipe it off with a rag and rinse. If there is any corrosion then hit it with an SOS pad or green scotchbrite to even out the finish. Then finally hit it with the alum polish will make them a nice "for sale" shiney. If there is corrosion under the clear coat then leave the oven cleaner on overnite. It will lift most of the finish off the wheels. Also if you leave it too long ( over 5 mins ) on clear coated alum it will cloud the finish on the wheels. I also use the oven cleaner on painted wheels to lift bad brake dust that will not wash off

 

[565bbchevy]

I also use the oven cleaner on painted wheels to lift bad brake dust that will not wash off

I have used Easy Off to remove anodized coatings on aluminum and that is what I used on my valve covers.

 

[TURNA]

I like that he sad he had on rubber gloves and it ate through them apparently he missed the part in the directions that says do not use on rubber, but hey we will let it sit on them there tires awhile.
I doubt this would help much on a corroded polished finish since there is no layer of clear coat to protect it.

yes i would not use it with the tires on

 

[6spdg37s]

yes i would not use it with the tires on

tires are shot anyway

 

[6spdg37s]

I guess I will try oven cleaner next

 

[Bar50]

STOP!

DO NOT USE anything that etches aluminim. You want to use Mothers aluminum polish and elbow grease or a Power Ball on a drill. If you use any etching wheel cleaner it will get inside the two part construction and every time the wheels get wet it wI'll reactivate the acid and etch the wheels!

 

[6spdg37s]

STOP!

DO NOT USE anything that etches aluminim. You want to use Mothers aluminum polish and elbow grease or a Power Ball on a drill. If you use any etching wheel cleaner it will get inside the two part construction and every time the wheels get wet it wI'll reactivate the acid and etch the wheels!

Then I'm gonna have to wet sand them cause I been doin all that and not making much progress

How do I determine if something will etch aluminum ?

 

[Bar50]

Then go to an aluminum polish and #0 up to #0000 steel wool.

Or, cosnider having them polished.

 

[TURNA]

so what did u use?