Polishing wheels on Ford Chassis

We always used Never Dull Wadding Polish on all our trucks aluminum wheels. They never looked better.

NEVER-DULL

nathan wrote:
Any recommendations on polishing aluminum wheels on Ford 53 chassis. Do not know mfg. Freightliner uses Alcoa but do not know what Ford uses.

Nathan,
Well Sir, if yours are truly alloy wheels on an F-53 Chassis, and, they're not "coated" with a urethane protective coating, then yes, they can be highly polished. Depending on just what kind of condition they're in when you start the process, will determine:

1. How you want them to look when done
2. How much work do you want to put out to get them to mirror surface

I've been polishing aluminum since before Noah built the boat. Again, the effort needed depends on what kind of condition the aluminum is in when you start the process. If you are fortunate to have wheels in very nice shape when you start, then the effort will be minimum but, you'll still need some. If they've been neglected for quite a period of time, then obviously you'll have to put a ton of "elbow grease" into it.

Not many can or, will devote the time for this operation. I take pride in mine and, it took a bit of effort to get them the way they look but, now, it takes about 15 minutes per wheel, about once every 2-3 months. I have, right now, probably about 4 different kinds of aluminum polish.

1. Mothers
2. Semi-Chrome
3. Zephyr 40 (Costco online only sells it)
4. Polishrite Ultra 6000

The first two are pastes. The second two are liquid. They all have different effects, when applied at certain phases.

But, without getting too complicated, I'd start with some pastes, Mothers will do. Then, evaluate the results. If you like what you see, then continue on. It's work and, nothing but work to get good results. Have fun.
Scott

Are you sure they are not beauty rims? Not sure Ford put aluminum rims on their F53 chassis.

On Edit: Yes I guess they did/do put aluminum rims. One item I found that works for polishing this type of rim is a product called Semichrome (SP?) Link Mothers makes a mag polish that works well too. Both of these items require a ton of hand work, or a power polisher.

On Edit on Edit:

Further searching shows that you can get aluminum rims, but they are aftermarket rims. Hard to find and very expensive. The F-53 came stock with steel wheels and beauty rims as FIREUP shows below. The beauty rims are chrome plated steel.