Wheel Rims Polish

[Drbaarson]

Does anyone know how to get the acid wash stains off of polished Aluminium rims. We had a professional cleaner do our tire rims and now we have acid stains ?

[docj]

After years of using a variety of metal polishes and drill-accessories, I've recently discovered that I can get a great shine on my rims using dual-action polisher and a Meguier's cutting polish. If you use a small backing plate you can get into the spaces between the lug nut covers.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I have that same problem so will be watching for the latest suggestions. Noticed that you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[dennis45]

I have used Autosol for years. It is an excellent product available at most auto parts suppliers, maybe even Wallyworld. The Alumium version is the better one. IMHO.

https://www.amazon.com/Autosol-Polis...l+polish&psc=1

Caution, not to be used on Coated Aluminum Wheels!!!

[gvette85]

I have used a variety of polishes on aluminum over the years.I have had good results with Mothers mag polish or Nevrdull polish.Best results however are with Simichrome polish.As said aluminum needs to be raw,no clear coat or powercoat.

[sam60]

Originally Posted by dennis45

I have used Autosol for years. It is an excellent product available at most auto parts suppliers, maybe even Wallyworld. The Alumium version is the better one. IMHO.

https://www.amazon.com/Autosol-Polis...l+polish&psc=1

Caution, not to be used on Coated Aluminum Wheels!!!

Dennis, How do I tell if my Alcoa's are coated? They are 26 years old and need a good washing before I determine how to polish.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by sam60

Dennis, How do I tell if my Alcoa's are coated? They are 26 years old and need a good washing before I determine how to polish.

Here is a link to the Alcoa site that should help you identify which wheels you have by the last digit in the part number stamped into the wheel.
Just a guess, but I doubt if your 26 year old wheels are coated but you should confirm that before getting serious. My old 03 Dutchstar's Alcoa were not coated.

https://www.arconic.com/alcoawheels/...sh-options.asp

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by Drbaarson

Does anyone know how to get the acid wash stains off of polished Aluminium rims. We had a professional cleaner do our tire rims and now we have acid stains ?

First off,
What, may I ask, is an "acid stain"? I've been polishing aluminum, motorcycle parts (Nortons to be specific), wheels, boat components, and a whole lot more for well over 40 years. I've used every kind of polish, rouge, paste, liquid, buffing wheel, tightly sewn rotary wheels, foam pads, micro fiber and more. Polishing aluminum, wheels or otherwise, is LABOR and nothing but LABOR. There is no magic elixir for this work. Just not sure what represent what an acid stain would look like. When wheels are polished, like the ones below, not much can stick to them.

I'd have to see in a photo just what an "acid stain" looks like. Now, water spots, can be a bit of a pain every once in a while. But, they're no match for today's buffing wheels, machines and media (polishes/rouges/pastes or liquids).
Below are the wheels on our coach. They weren't too bad when we purchased it about 7.5 years ago but, they did need some work. Semi-Chrome, Mothers, Zephyr 40 Pro polish (Costco online) and the end result depends on just what condition the wheels (or other aluminum parts) are in when the polishing begins. If the wheels are clean, and the base polishing is there but, just a bit oxidized, then Mothers will work just fine, with or without a machine, or by hand if you prefer.

If wheels are badly oxidized, then a rouge, along with a cotton ball, (not a foam ball like what's sold at some auto parts stores) is needed to bring out a new finish, so it can be polished, using advanced material and cloths. Once a wheel is done to a mirror finish, unless it's parked along side breaking waves at the beach, it will stay like that, easily for up to a year, without maintenance. But, all aluminum, un coated and un painted, oxidizes as you're reading this, no matter how well it's polished. The finer the finish, the more resistant it is to tarnishing or oxidizing.

As stated, below are our wheels on our '04 Horizon 36GD with the C-7 CAT. And, if it works, also below are some wheels I just brought back from the dead, that belong to my sons Jeep Cherokee. They are 20 years old and have never, ever been touched, 'till just before Christmas day. Those took sanding with 800 wet or dry and 1000 wet or dry, then I used a foam ball on a cordless drill for the rest. It was Christmas and I couldn't get my hands on a cotton ball. You can see the years worth of pits, corrosion, neglect and more. Then, you see what the wheels look like in the sanding stage. And finally, a polished one. They're not as nice as mine but, without all my equipment, which was 300 miles away at the time, those are as good as they can be, at that time.
Scott

[gvette85]

Wheels look great,and I can appreciate the amount of labor that it took to get them to that level.I too have been polishing aluminum,mostly on my Harleys,for years.It is a very labor intense process.Once you get them polished its a lot easier to keep them that way than to get them that way.

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by gvette85

Wheels look great,and I can appreciate the amount of labor that it took to get them to that level.I too have been polishing aluminum,mostly on my Harleys,for years.It is a very labor intense process.Once you get them polished its a lot easier to keep them that way than to get them that way.

I think you missed a spot.[emoji33] [emoji16]

[sam60]

Originally Posted by dennis45

Here is a link to the Alcoa site that should help you identify which wheels you have by the last digit in the part number stamped into the wheel.
Just a guess, but I doubt if your 26 year old wheels are coated but you should confirm that before getting serious. My old 03 Dutchstar's Alcoa were not coated.

https://www.arconic.com/alcoawheels/...sh-options.asp

Dennis, I could have sworn that I thanked you for this info last night but it may have just been CRS. I'll get out there tomorrow and look for the stamping....oh and Thanks!

[Drbaarson]

I was able to remove most of the marks using Blue Magic bought at Wallmart. It took a lot of rubbing. I would not recommend having your polished wheel rims cleaned by a cleaning service. They use something that drips out of your lug nut covers after they leave causing caustic stains.

[Mr_D]

Some commercial wash outfits use an acid wash unless you specifically ask them not to.

[Mallie]

I would guess they used an aluminum cleaner, maybe not. We have found that there are a lot of cleaners that will ruin the wheels and your paint. Truck washes are a good place to not go.