Best way to clean up old aluminum slotted rims....

[Super Blue 72]

HI guys, thanks in advance for any suggesttions. 

I have a set of old aluminum slotted rims that have oxidation in the inner surfaces and need to be touched up on the outside.

For the inside part (hiddin by the tire once mounted) do I just sand off the oxidation or do I need to coat it with a light coat of WD-40 or something?

For the outside, do I need to used fine steel wool or fine sandpaper before using polishing compund?

Thanks guys! 

[72rtchallenger]

very fine sanding if you want but this works great
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101.html

[Cuda54]

I use a buffing wheel in a die grinder. I start with the black for stainless it cuts faster then I will go straight to the white to finish. Then if you really want them to shine you can use any polish you want. To leave a coating to stop more oxidation. On the in side of the rim you can do the same or just a fine sanding then a polish to coat it.

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks for the info guys! 

I don't have a diegrinder so elbow grease my be the method of choice.

I'll look into that polish.  I didn't know if I needed anything after cleaning up the rims.  So it looks like the polish will do the job.  Thanks!

[WildJones]

The rims on my Cuda were really oxidized from sitting outside in the driveway for many years. I did it the hard way with lots of elbow grease by wetsanding. I started out with 800 grit paper, then moved to 1200, then 1500, and then finally 1800 or 2000 (I think, don't quote me for exact numbers, I did this a little of 2 years ago). I started out with wheels that looked like this:


And about 40 hours later (seriously), they looked like this: 




Oh I forgot to mention that I polished them after wetsanding. I guess I should have been more specific.

[Super Blue 72]

Wowza, Wildjones!  Those look great!  I think there is hope for my rims!!!! 

[WildJones]

Post up pictures when you get done, I am definitely interested to see how your set comes out . It just takes a lot of time and patience if they have pretty deep pits. I put down a thick towel on the table and watched quite a few movies when I did mine to pass the time 

[Super Blue 72]

Sure, see when I get a chance to do them!  On my "To do list"... 

[Barracudadan]

HOLY CRAP! Wow those rims came out awesome! I was going to suggest a 4" buffing wheel with some compound on a grinder,but I don`t know if the results would be as good as that.

[Chryco Psycho]

there is a chemical Alum cleaner available , mostwelders use it to clean the alum before welding
Autosol or similar can wok wonders as well

[Super Blue 72]

Cool!  Thanks, Neil.   

I can say "Cool" now and not remind you about 2 feet of snow hopefully!!! 

[Road_Runner]

I used to use fine & super fine steel wool on my American Racing slots.  I would basically go around the rim until they were clean, not back & forth or orbital as you would if you're sanding.  It would clean off any corrosion without changing the look of the natural aluminum.  These weren't polished originally so I didn't want them to look that shiney.  I'd also use some aluminum metal polish to provide some protection when I was done.  If shiney is what you're after than buffing, etc. is the way to go.  If you're after the original brushed or natural look than the steel wool may be any easier & cheap way to go.

Later, Jim

[Super Blue 72]

Nice info, Jim!  Thanks! 

[dutch]

ever seen this?

http://youtu.be/wGDKFFuScpo

[Super Blue 72]

ever seen this?

http://youtu.be/wGDKFFuScpo

   The results look impressive but did you notice they started with a 8 spoke wheel and ended with a 10 spoke wheel??? 

Incredible what that machine can do if it really does come out that shiny!