Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


-----

Polishing Aluminum Wheels

I recently purchased Aluminum Iroq Wheels from a friend overall they're in really good shape, but they need to be polished. I was told to use a very fine grit sandpaper such as 400 to sand them and make them smooth then use a polish. Has anyone ever tried this method? If you have another suggestion I'm open to try.

Thanks,

JAMIE
- San Bernardino, California
2002

---

I am a polisher at a chrome shop. Sanding with a 400 grit paper would remove any dings or scratches, but you would wear your arm out trying to polish them out by hand. The wheels are probably clear anodized or clear coated, so you would have to remove the coating first using a mild acid. My suggestion would be to use a die grinder (air grinder) [adv: die grinders on eBay or Amazon] with a 400 or 600 grit flapwheel depending on how badly scratched the wheels are, follow this with a spiral sewn flannel wheel or a flannel bob using a white rouge [affil links] polish (this comes in a bar and is available at certain department stores). The total process should take about 4 hours but it will save you between $200 - $500 (depending on the prices in your area)if you were to take them to a professional polisher. I hope this helps.

Good Luck!

Harold Burgess
- Brooksville, Florida
2002

---

Hi Harold

Live close by and I am trying to polish my rims. They are machined aluminum on the lip and gunmetal on the spokes. I have used 400, 800, . wet sandpaper and I was wondering if a Dremel [on eBay or Amazon] with polishing wheel with rubbing compound [on eBay or Amazon] would make it shine more. I can still see some small scratches.

Tony Costello
- Port Richey, Florida
2006