Aluminum slot wheel polishing

[sixTsix]

Calling on all of you old school fella's here. I just scored me a set of aluminum slots for my old bucket. So ill cut to the chase. These wheels, although in good shape, are going need some polishing love. So if you guys were in my spot what methods would you use for polishing out these bad boys? Surely one of you fellers have been here before and could shed some light on some methods for this.?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by sixTsix

Calling on all of you old school fella's here. I just scored me a set of aluminum slots for my old bucket. So ill cut to the chase. These wheels, although in good shape, are going need some polishing love. So if you guys were in my spot what methods would you use for polishing out these bad boys? Surely one of you fellers have been here before and could shed some light on some methods for this.?

Depending on condition. I'd first use Mother's aluminum polish to remove the outer layer of dirt and oxidation. Then I'd start with 800 or 1000 grit sandpaper and sand the entire wheel by hand. I'd next go to finer grits until I got to 2500 grit or 3000 grit. Then I would use a buffing wheel with red rouge or other buffing compound and then finish by hand polishing again with Mother's polish.

Let's see your wheels.

[NEWFISHER]

It takes heat to polish aluminum. The best products I have found are NuVite polishes and a heavy high torque polisher, buffer etc

[sixTsix]

thanks for the rapid reply. Ill take some pics as soon as I get them ..hopefully next week!
So least you guys can see what I'm dealing with. until then, keep bringing on the advice, & keep on chiming in if you have comments or concerns

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

It takes heat to polish aluminum. The best products I have found are NuVite polishes and a heavy high torque polisher, buffer etc

Why does it take heat to polish aluminum? Or are you saying that polishing with heat will give a better result?

[MisterC]

Do a search for Slot Lovers Unite and yyou'll find great tips in that thread. I'd link it but my mobile skills are limited.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Why does it take heat to polish aluminum? Or are you saying that polishing with heat will give a better result?

Sorry, not heat like putting the piece in an oven then polishing, but laying into it hard with a buffer that has enough torque to deliver constant pressure without giving up. A red foam ball on the end of the housewifes cordless drill isn't going to "polish" aluminum. It will make the surface reflective. Chrome shops, wheel and trim polishers have huge electric motors mounted on stands or giant bench motors with whip heads and they have different heads or wheels of cotton and rouge compunds that they work from after sanding. Each step never contaminates the last. Each step has its own head/pad and its own rouge or polish.

[taclem]

Maybe mine weren't too bad, but I cleaned with SOS pads and then used Never Dull Metal Polish. It is as far as I have gone at this point. Lots of elbow grease required.