[Yamiyanazz]

So I'm running some OEM VW Zandvoort 14" wheels on my '94 Jetta and they've been working great. However, my tires are about spent and I was looking into just buying new wheels, but made myself wonder what my current set would look like if they were polished. I want to take off the clear coat and actually polish down the alloy to make it almost a mirror type finish. I've seen it done with the teardrops and it looks amazing.
My question is, what will I be required to purchase (I have nothing. No pads, rags, clay, wheel specific cleaning/shining products, or even an electric buffer.) if I want to remove the stock clear coat, polish the metal, and then cover it back up with some protection so it doesn't rust the following afternoon.
The wheel in question:

 

[Levish]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Yamiyanazz)

Quickest and best results would probably come from a bench grinder fitted with the appropriate polishing wheels after some prep work with sandpaper / rotary tool (for the nooks and crannies)
Most do not invest the money into a 300$ buffing kit in addition to the time. it's probably around 100$ a wheel to get it done professionally.
Otherwise you are looking at 200-2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper + Jewlers rouge and and a LOT of time.

 

[Levish]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Levish)

a starting point
General polishing kit
http://www.swmetal.com/cart/item?itemID=11873
+
http://www.swmetal.com/cart/item?itemID=11905

 

[menace1930]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Levish)

what is jewelers rouge? im looking to polish my montes and have the same questions

 

[Levish]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (menace1930)

a polishing paste used with those buffing wheels

 

[67Customs]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Levish)

Buy some aircraft stripper from an automotive store. Spray that on the surface of the wheels and it will eat away the clear coat. Wipe that off and you are ready to wetsand.
Start off with 1500 or so grit. Make your way up to 2000 or 2500 grit.
Take the Mother's Powerball and some Aluminum polish and go to town.
The biggest thing is using the aircraft stripper to remove the clear. Use it per the instructions.


Modified by 67Customs at 4:27 PM 10-14-2009

 

[Yamiyanazz]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (67Customs)

Quote, originally posted by 67Customs »

Buy some aircraft stripper from an automotive store. Spray that on the surface of the wheels and it will eat away the clear coat. Wipe that off and you are ready to wetsand. Start off with 1500 or so grit. Make your way up to 200 or 2500 grit. Take the Mother's Powerball and some Aluminum polish and go to town. The biggest thing is using the aircraft stripper to remove the clear. Use it per the instructions.

see, according to my other research this is pretty much the method I came up with as well. Now my question is is it possible to give it something like a clear coat again for protection or will this hinder it's ability to shine? Will it even be possible for it to stick if I'm trying to create a mirror finish? My idea was to polish the parts that are already shiny and then re-paint the other parts a shade of black (the insides of the triangles are a bumpier metal that has a coat of dark gray paint already)


Modified by Yamiyanazz at 3:05 PM 9-21-2007

 

[67Customs]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Yamiyanazz)

Yes, you can give it a clear coat, but it might not stick well on such a highly polished surface. You would probably need to do a automotive clear coat shot from a gun to stand a chance.
It will not hurt the shine that much if any, but it will help keep the surface rust free.

 

[Blacksheepsquad]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (67Customs)

Being they they are aluminum, they should stay pretty rust free anyway...
I've never cleared anything I've polished, Just don't use wheel cleaner, and once in a while you'll need to hit them with some nevrdull.

 

[Type S]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Blacksheepsquad)

Quote, originally posted by Blacksheepsquad »

Being they they are aluminum, they should stay pretty rust free anyway... I've never cleared anything I've polished, Just don't use wheel cleaner, and once in a while you'll need to hit them with some nevrdull.

on point http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[kungfoojesus]

just repolish em now and again with the rouge stuff and they'll be shiny for life. aluminum wheels do oxidize, but not that fast. they will just get hazy not rusty btw.

 

[65dunebuggy]

Re: (kungfoojesus)

aluminum will pit or oxidize so if I was you and didn't feel like polishing wheels every week I would get a high quality gloss clear coat to give it a nice shine.

 

[b554me]

Re: What do I need to polish down OEM wheels? (Yamiyanazz)

wow, can you please post pics of the entire car. That thing looks flawless!
wow! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif