rim polishing DIY

[digitaldrifter91]

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.
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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).

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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....

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....
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starting product

after first clean

..still spots see

 

[digitaldrifter91]

after 2nd clean

....much nicer...it can be better

after 3rd clean

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 **** time hahahah!

Finished product!!

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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.

 

[Amkeer]

Looks good, nice job!

When it comes to my rims they never seem to get as much attention as the rest of the car.

Daily Drives:
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab, Impulse Red, Peppy 2.7 Liter 4 Banger, Running Mobil1 Synthetics SS 5W-30.
ODO 6400 Miles.
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner, Evergreen, 3.0 V6, Running Mobil1 Synthetic SS 10W-30.
ODO 82200 Miles. (Switching to GC next)Nope sticking with M1.
http://community.webshots.com/user/amkeer

 

[digitaldrifter91]

thanks man. haha usually i neglect my rims, sometimes not even washing them at all. its a pain to have to clean every channel in the rim to rid it of brake dust. i tried wheel cleaners and spray ons...but gosh those dont really work. i also think they take off some of the wax or protection on the rim.

any ways i saw my car in the sun today, the rims look brand spankin new!! it really completes my cars totall cleaness...i love it! best 4 bucks i spent.

 

[tom slick]

here is a trick that would have saved you some time. the "nasty" looking stuff on your wheel was clearcoat. try coating the wheel with paint stripper first, that will remove the clearcoat and give you a clean surface to start polishing. then use your buffing method and admire the shine.

 

[timmy8151]

Nice work on the wheels. A little trick I do to make cleaning the wheels easier is that I put a sealant (Klasse, etc) on my rims every time I rotate the tires. I also, put 303 on my rims after every wash. Using this method, I've noticed that the brake dust is easy to clean and I only need some soap and water.

 

[digitaldrifter91]

i usually put some wax on my rims as well...helps with stains..but doesnt last too long cause its carnuba...
my z big rims

i wax those rims every 6 months, they are really shinny when i do. helps alot with brake dust between washes.

 

[shortyb]

They look very nice. If you want to keep them that way then you need to put another type of coating on them. Otherwise you'll be polishing alot more or just watching the aluminum oxidize. I had a set of OEM Toyota wheels that were polished but not coated. They were pitted within a week. Lesson learned. Here is a new product that seems to have some promise but I haven't used yet myself www.corrosionx.com It is not a replacement for proper clearcoat but may help keep things cleaner.