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Topic: 1980 Aluminum Wheels

in Forum: C3 Car Care


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1980 Aluminum Wheels (1/7)
 7/24/04 12:22pm
mwecamsoup
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Vette(s):
1980 Corvette - Dark Claret Metallic Exterior Dark Claret Leather Interior Unique L-82 Optional Engine


Joined: 6/25/2004
Posts: 11

What is the absolute best way to clean up the aluminum wheels on my car? |headscratch|

|UPDATED|9/11/2004 7:55:21 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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1980 Aluminum Wheels (2/7)
 7/24/04 12:36pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

Elbow grease and Mother's Polish. A buffer is easier, but can be done by hand.
1980 Aluminum Wheels (3/7)
 7/25/04 2:34pm
Daytona69
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Fountain Valley, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 Daytona Yellow Coupe - ZZ4/4 speed, Hurst shifter, Griffin aluminum radiator w/ Dual Spals, March Serpentine Pulley kit, Hookers with STS Racing Baffles, VB&P Suspension bits, 17" AR Hopsters, L-88 Hood


Joined: 9/11/2003
Posts: 407

I agree with Ken. Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish works great. |thumb|
1980 Aluminum Wheels (4/7)
 7/25/04 3:49pm
StarQuestRims
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Phoenix, MD - USA

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82 Silver/Gray with 80k miles, rear 275/60/15,


Joined: 11/23/2003
Posts: 57

true mothers is great BUT it does not work well with clear coating. if these are the 15 inch slotted rims there is a very fine coating of clear coat. to really get a geat shine, 'show car quality' the face must be sanded 220, 320, 400 and 600 grit. then a buffing wheel with compound. if you dont have a buff wheel and compound, most don't, then continue to sand with 1000 and then 2000 grit. apply mothers now and you can shave off that rim. if you dont get the clear coat off the shine won't be very impressive. i have done about 5 sets of these slotted rims and they really look nice when finished. you must, must keep them waxed for protection.

mark v of www.starquestrims.com

|UPDATED|7/25/2004 12:49:40 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
1980 Aluminum Wheels (5/7)
 7/28/04 11:41pm
82dukmanLifetime Member
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Joined: 1/29/2002
Posts: 1049

 StarQuestRims said: true mothers is great BUT it does not work well with clear coating. if these are the 15 inch slotted rims there is a very fine coating of clear coat. to really get a geat shine, 'show car quality' the face must be sanded 220, 320, 400 and 600 grit. then a buffing wheel with compound. if you dont have a buff wheel and compound, most don't, then continue to sand with 1000 and then 2000 grit. apply mothers now and you can shave off that rim. if you dont get the clear coat off the shine won't be very impressive. i have done about 5 sets of these slotted rims and they really look nice when finished. you must, must keep them waxed for protection.

mark v of www.starquestrims.com


 

I agree here. I did this to a set I picked up for the CE and they came out perfect. After I used the Mother's, I continue to keep them clean with a product from Alcoa, which is an aluminum cleaner/polish. You can get the info from them at
http://www.alcoawheels.com
|cheers|

|UPDATED|7/28/2004 8:41:08 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
1980 Aluminum Wheels (6/7)
 9/11/04 10:54am
mwecamsoup
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1980 Corvette - Dark Claret Metallic Exterior Dark Claret Leather Interior Unique L-82 Optional Engine


Joined: 6/25/2004
Posts: 11

Thanks - the Mothers worked great |thumb|
1980 Aluminum Wheels (7/7)
 9/14/04 11:47am
hank51Lifetime Member
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MENTOR, OH - USA

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1979 L-82, dark blue


Joined: 9/15/2003
Posts: 577

just finished polishing my rims over last weekend. used StarQuestRims method but went a little farther. probably not necessary, but the rims came out great. started sanding by hand with 180 grit paper. had some deep scrathes. went to 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 2000 grit paper. then used a buffing wheel and a med grit rubbing compound, fine grit rubbing compound and a polishing compound. finished up with Diamond Brite Truck Box Polish with a wax overcoat. I think Diamond Brite works better than Mother's. it was a lot of work but the rims are like new. thanks StarQuestRims.
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