1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Aluminum Wheel Polishing

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by garage gnome, Jul 25, 2021.

  1. Jul 25, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    Looking for advice on how to clean up these wheels. They are pretty corroded, but not pitted. Just use some coarse rubbing compound and then finer?

    [​IMG]
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  2. Jul 25, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,549
    Start off with some spray bottle aluminum brighter.
    Let them soak for 10 min before rinsing.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2021
    58 willys

    58 willys Sponsor

    Millsboro, Delaware
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    Messages:
    945
    I used some 800 wet/dry paper on mine after using Busch's Aluminum wash on them then used a Mother's Power Ball on a drill got mine cleaned up real good
     
    Fireball likes this.
  4. Jul 26, 2021
    jeep peep69

    jeep peep69 Member

    redding ca.
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2007
    Messages:
    619
    Mother’s powerball and zephyr 40 polishing compound and lots of elbow grease. Wear a dust mask for your safety
     
  5. Jul 27, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2021
    Messages:
    1,620
    You can do a major polishing of the outer rim by jacking it up onto jack stands and running it at idle to spin the wheels. Hold a wet SOS pads against the rim. Just be careful of the lug nuts, you don't want to get your fingers into those, don't ask me how I know.
     
  6. Jul 27, 2021
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    1,725
    Aluminum Storm Door Cleaner available at most hardware stores works good to remove oxidation from natural causes first, then like Old Pappy says an SOS pad wet just enough to make a soapy creamy pad to start with. Then you can use any of the Aluminum Polishes to finish it up. Mothers makes aluminum polish of several types that work well. If the wheels are real bad you can water sand them with 400 wet or dry sand paper and then go to 600, and then rubbing compound to polish them. I like the sanded finish like they have when new, not a so much polished. Good Luck.
     
  7. Jul 27, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Did that on my Harley. Glad I'm not the only one foolish enough.
     
  8. Jul 27, 2021
    jrsgoldenarm

    jrsgoldenarm New Member

    pinellas park fl
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2019
    Messages:
    49
  9. Sep 22, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    Just got 4 wheels for $100. :clap:Not my favorite design AND the center hole is only 3.75" (needs 4.25") :mad:. I know a guy with a mill and a lathe. :bananatool:

    [​IMG]
     
    Twin2, Norcal69 and Fireball like this.
  10. Sep 22, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    16" Ford wheels?
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2021
  11. Sep 22, 2021
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,549
    16" wheels open up a world of possibilities with metric tire sizes.
     
  12. Sep 22, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    they are 15". I'm just going to put the 31" AT around town tires on them I think.
     
  13. Sep 22, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,626
    X2, there is a much better selection of tall skinny tires for 16" wheels.
     
  14. Sep 22, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    Those are factory F150 wheels from the mid 90's
     
  15. Sep 22, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    Exactly-1995 but these were on a Bronco.
     
  16. Sep 24, 2021
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
    Messages:
    739
    Youtube has some videos to give you an idea. It is not an easy thing to do, at least the first time. Afterwards much easier to keep them looking good. But the only true way to polish them short of a machine, in my opinion, is to wet sand them by hand moving down a few grit steps. Then polishing them with some sort of compound of your choice.

    But it would be cool to have this machine and make it this easy.
     
New Posts