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Topic: polishing rims

in Forum: C4 Handling Components

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polishing rims

Posted: 11/5/09 9:53pm Message 1 of 7
obrian
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hayden, ID - USA
Joined: 10/20/2009
Posts: 15
Vette(s): 1984 corvette W/ suspension, cam, cat delete, super turbos, hawk brakes

I have polished my 84 corvette rims.  I started with 150 grit with an orbital 6 in sander and took the clear coat off.  I then used 220 and got it smooth.  I then went to 400 and then 500 and then 1000.  After that i went with a 4 in grinder and used various rouges to take it to shinny.  I ended up with white rouge and went very slowly and did it a few times and it is BRIGHT.  About 94% of a chrome finish......i shall continue with the 4 in grinder and 4 in pads.  I finished one off with a good wax and I am very happy so far.  Tomorrow I shall do the white rouge again.....made my day.




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polishing rims

Posted: 11/6/09 12:49pm Message 2 of 7
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jimmymack
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West Chester, PA - USA
Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 702
Vette(s): 1995 Torch Red Coupe

Sounds like quite the project, congrats, your hard work has been rewarded.  Any pictures?  Are you going to leave them waxed or get them clear coated again?

jimmymack2009-11-06 12:50:43


polishing rims

Posted: 11/7/09 11:58am Message 3 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
Pics is good! I did a similar deal on the alloy rims on my '74...they came out really nice.


Joel Adams  
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

polishing rims

Posted: 11/11/09 9:35am Message 4 of 7
Dan Skopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 10/11/2009
Posts: 75
Vette(s): 1981, think about getting a 1992.
Pics?  What pics??
Dan



polishing rims

Posted: 11/12/09 7:30pm Message 5 of 7
obrian
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hayden, ID - USA
Joined: 10/20/2009
Posts: 15
Vette(s): 1984 corvette W/ suspension, cam, cat delete, super turbos, hawk brakes
O.K.  I was excited.  Thinking how cool it would look with shinny sparklie rims.  I sanded and polished and rubbed and it went on for a lot of hours......I was dissappointed with the results.  Sure, they were pretty good.  And on their own without a tire they looked spectacular in the right light.  But, on the car and in the sun and with the fronts still clearcoated....there was little real difference..  They have a really good reflection value, but at 40 feet it becomes a moot point.  So, the point is that I thought I knew better than the builder and I should just be happy, and save some money.  To make it go faster.  I still love the car and it handles whatever I throw at it....I will look to putting a picture on site....brian


polishing rims

Posted: 11/12/09 9:25pm Message 6 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
The wax will dull the shine somewhat on alloy rims.
Instead of using rouge, try some Flitz...that stuff is amazing. That's what I use on mine(on the '74), and those rims could pass for chrome. I also went thru the removing the clearcoat, and sanding routine, then used a buffer with rubbing compound. After that, it was all Flitz and paper towels. Time consuming, yeah, but the results are definitely worth it.



Joel Adams  
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(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

polishing rims

Posted: 10/21/10 5:59am Message 7 of 7
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helphos
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Olney, MD - USA
Joined: 10/20/2010
Posts: 51
Vette(s): 93 Polo Green Convertible with Bilstein Shocks, Autopower RollBar, Simpson 5 point harness, Grand Sport wheels, bald tires and dirty air filter! 2003 Anniversary Red 50th Anniversary Convertible
I have some sawblades that have serious baked on brake dust.  I gave up on those.
But I do have  a solution for you.  I use SIMICHROME polishing paste on aluminum.  at the point yours are at, the simichrome would make them sparkle.  It makes aluminum look like chrome.  I think they have it at NAPA.  (If you're not too tired out or bummed out to try one more thing).
 
How much time did you spend on your wheels??
Good Luck!
Paul



Rarely indicted, never convicted

in Forum: C4 Handling Components


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