Polishing ALCOA Aluminun Rims

[Ernest]

Polishing my ALCOA rims has always been a hard task. Over 17 years I've gone from a couple times a year to...missed a year or two. The shoulders are not what they used to be and the less often you do them they harder they get; at least in my case.

I decided I break down and pay someone to do it. Well you know it's a hard job when you can't find anybody in eastern PA. Truck Dealers, Detail shops, etc.

Last but not least I asked a friend who's mod'ed some custom Trucks who did his chrome and aluminum polishing. I assumed he'd say a guy in his shop and then I'd ask the favor of seeing if I can pay that guy to do mine.

He said he used Zimmerman Carriers in Ephrata PA. I called them and sure enough they have a machine and a process that can't be beat.
Takes about 1.5 hrs./wheel and they look better than new.

They take appointments. I was there at 7:30 am and was out the door a 2pm. Great people! I can't say enough good about them.

If you're in the Lancaster PA area I would stop by and let them do it while you're visiting other attractions in the area.

[shepfly]

Look up Aussie Rimshine for the easy way to have your rims polished, wheels stay on vehicle. Some guys have a mobile business serving large truckstops. Dave

[Ernest]

Sorry to take so long to get back to the questions.
Yes I should have taken before and after PIC's.
These PIC are after a week and they've been through the rain once.

As to the price it was $85 for the polishing they weren't bad enough to warrant the $95 or $105 treatment and $13 to take the wheels on/off the motorhome. Basically $100 a rim.

[Chum_lee]

FIRE UP wrote:
The O2 attacks the clean surface very quickly dulling it out.

Not hardly. I've been polishing aluminum for decades and, it's not as volatile as one thinks. The finer one makes the surface, as in the shinier, the longer they last between touch-up jobs. Aluminum, as in the surface of those wheels, is a bit soft. Not soft enough to loose shape, but soft enough for any of us to remove metal so they can be polished. And that means it succumbs to air issues. Metal rusts. Aluminum corrodes, same thing only different.
But, a finely polished wheel, even it it's subjected to outside air, will last months without protection. That is of course if it's not subjected to salt air. That screws up ANYTHING on this planet. But, a finely polished wheel, will need a touch up, about once every 8-12 months, depending on the conditions it's subjected to.
Scott

Scott: My take on this is that after 17 years, the OP is tired of polishing the rims every so often. You are correct in that the finer the polish job the longer it takes to dull out but it eventually does. Every time you polish the rim you lose detail and material.

Just a friendly suggestion: Get out of the shop and into the chemistry class room/lab for a few years.

Chum lee

[hostage]

crasster wrote:
I LOVE to use Marvel Mystery Oil to polish all my metals. Works very very well. Rub in, buff off. 🙂

yes but u don't have polished alcoha style wheels;; your mysterious oil will not ever effectively polish aluminum wheels lol at that ideal

I found if your serious about cleaning and polishing aluminum wheels the brand called "wicked" works as good or better than anything

[hostage]

uncoated alcoha wheels start oxidizing the minute u finish polishing them
after a real good polishing it takes a few months or longer before any notable dulling shows

[FIRE_UP]

The O2 attacks the clean surface very quickly dulling it out.

Not hardly. I've been polishing aluminum for decades and, it's not as volatile as one thinks. The finer one makes the surface, as in the shinier, the longer they last between touch-up jobs. Aluminum, as in the surface of those wheels, is a bit soft. Not soft enough to loose shape, but soft enough for any of us to remove metal so they can be polished. And that means it succumbs to air issues. Metal rusts. Aluminum corrodes, same thing only different.
But, a finely polished wheel, even it it's subjected to outside air, will last months without protection. That is of course if it's not subjected to salt air. That screws up ANYTHING on this planet. But, a finely polished wheel, will need a touch up, about once every 8-12 months, depending on the conditions it's subjected to.
Scott

[crasster]

I LOVE to use Marvel Mystery Oil to polish all my metals. Works very very well. Rub in, buff off. 🙂

[ScottG]

Now you cant post something like this without pics!!
Especially when it comes to shiny stuff.

[want-a-be]

Pictures would be nice

[AikenRacer]

What was the cost per wheel??

[Hermes1]

This

[Chum_lee]

The trick to keeping the freshly polished aluminum bright is to seal it from the air. The O2 attacks the clean surface very quickly dulling it out. You can wax it with a good carnuba wax, treat it with a polymer film, anodize it, powder coat it, or you can spray it with a clear coat then wax it. Check with a good automotive paint supply shop for a choice of products. Many wheel alloy repair shops can work wonders with what many think is ready for the scrap bin.

Chum lee