I mistakenly thought all aluminum wheels were clearcoated. I guess I should just try the powerball and see what happens.

They didn't know what clearcoat was in '78. The first 'Vettes with clearcoat were the 81s when they switched from St. Louis to Bowling Green production.

I can't believe 81s are 26 years old and qualify for antique tags... which I STILL don't have on my '38 Poncho...

Dave

Yeah... I know well... Once you turn 60 and wake up in the morning and nothing hurts, check yourself out real good... you probably died last night.....

Dave

Here in mid-Missouri, we've had so much snow,ice and bitter cold weather I can't get my new toy out of the garage. I bought it drove it home and parked it in the garage. The next day we got 18 inches of snow.....then 4 "...then 5"....then 3" of sleet and of course cooooold temperatures.

You oughta move to Nashville... We have had a 1.25" total all year.... in 2 "snowstorms" last week...

Dave

We had real nice weather up until I bought that 78 then.... wham! 

I know that this is an older post but I just want to throw something into the mix.  I highly recommend using Heavy Metal Polish.  It comes in three grades Blue (fine), Green (medium) and Red (course).   This stuff works great.  I use it on all of the aluminum parts on the wife's 69 Camaro and the Vette.  The Torque Thrust II's on the Camaro hae been on the car for 9 years and they still look new.  I polish them twice a year.  The polish has a wax in it so you don't have to polish all of the time.  It is only available online or at truckstops.  It runs about $15.00 to $20.00 a bottle but worth every penny.  A bottle lasts me about 2 years.  And no, I don't own stock in the company.  I have used all of the others and they don't hold a candle to this stuff.  For older oxidized wheels, I recommend using the red or green first and then going to the blue.  Once your wheels are polished, a quick rub down with the blue will keep them shiny. 1969 L462007-05-25 07:01:35

Jim, who makes these products, where are they available? They sound good

JIM. thanks for the great info. I see we're almost neighbors.  I go through Jeff City going to my daughter's in Warrenton.