Community Forums

Goldendog · 07-09-2011, 01:04 PM

Does anyone have ideas on how to polish aluminum wheels on a Freightliner Corondo chassis Haulmark MH? The wheels are 2007 and VERY tarnished. Because we are full timers I don't have a lot of tools but these wheels, fuel tanks and steps need attention.

palehorse89 · 07-09-2011, 01:13 PM

Mothers makes a polish and can be bought at walmart along with a polishing tool called "the ball". They make a small one and a big one(balls) they work very well. I did mine a year ago and are still shining. If the wheels and tanks are in really bad shape look into alcola polish products. They make a 3 step process for cleaning wheels. I bought the alcola 3 step but the first step is kinda like a acid type cleaner jell and my wheels were not in that bad of shape. Good luck and i will tell you that you are going to get very black! Don't throw the used polishing balls out as they will be very black, soak them in a empty coffee tub with your fovorite cleaner/degreaser in it over night and wash them out the next day with soap and water and they will clean up very nice and ready to use again.

grumpy14 · 07-09-2011, 03:56 PM

Napa has a product called Aluma Brite 1 gal jug, mix with water and brush on and rinse--lots of water--this is acid sowatch your animals and kids it will not burn ask x trucker about it.

rsflight · 07-09-2011, 04:31 PM

Eastwood- Metal Buffing carries a wide variety of buffing wheels & compounds for metal & painted surfaces. Most buffing wheels/cones can be used in a cordless drill. Harbor Freight is another source, but options are fewer.

They gave me a nice finish on our wheels.

Bill Adams · 07-09-2011, 05:02 PM

I pay about $20/wheel once or twice per year and I have very shiny wheels!

Ed S · 07-09-2011, 05:21 PM

I am so glad I dont have to polish my rims any more....just dish washing soap and just like new again.

On my last class A I used Mothers with the ball. Look nice but seemed I had to polish almost monthly to keep up to my standard.

denochs · 07-09-2011, 05:23 PM

Mothers if not pitted. And don't forget to put a paste wax on them after polishing them. They will be easier to clean up with the shine still on them.

Dave

Rich and Cork · 07-09-2011, 06:12 PM

We have a truck stop in the area where we live that polishes them for $10-15 a wheel. A number of folk I know have had them do it and were pretty happy. You might want to check a truck stop/wash in your area to see what kind of detailing they do.

dons2346 · 07-09-2011, 06:56 PM

http://www.flitz-polish.com/?leadsource=PS114&s_kwcid=TC|6221|flitz||S|e|57235 75339&gclid=CMH1uLTI9akCFQWA5QodhgHLZA and a power ball at the end of a cordless drill.

BobGed · 07-09-2011, 07:15 PM

Zephyr 40 Costco - Zephyr PRO-40 16 oz. Metal Polish 2-pack

Theberrys · 07-09-2011, 07:30 PM

This works for me!
Amazon.com: Meguiar's G3400 Brilliant Solutions Wheel Polishing Kit: Automotive

I bought the kit at Walmart.

Dick

bthomforde · 07-09-2011, 10:07 PM

how bad are they? if they are real bad I've seen this in action, don't have any idea the cost.

YouTube - ‪VIS AUTOMATIC RIM POLISH MACHINE‬‏

Goldendog · 07-10-2011, 06:43 AM

Thanks for all the tips. I appreciate the input.

Ray,IN · 07-11-2011, 08:51 PM

On the Escapees discussion forum for HDT, you will find a lot of tips/tricks/shortcuts to cleaning and polishing aluminum rims and diamond-plate. Here is just one thread: Aluminum Wheel Polishing - Escapees Discussion Forum