Any tips on cleaning old school aluminum rims!

[above_all]

Can’t hide money with them limited wheels. JK

I hear you. Just trying to hide the fact I can't drive or park.

 

[Kyzrsoze]

I’ve got a set of old aluminum bullet hole rims. They have been sitting for years under an old truck. They are in good physical shape but have some stains and kinda dull. Before I go downtown and rent some rimz I figured I’d ask if anyone had any magic tricks to cleaning these up? I’ve used some turtle wax rubbing compound and my air grinder with a buffer attachment. But it’s not very abrasive and really hasn’t done much to improve the looks.

For cleaning, I've been using this on aluminum wheels since the 1980s - Eagle One aluminum wheel cleaner. It has an acidic base that reacts with the aluminum, foaming up and pulling out stains and impurities. Soaking the metal too long will cause it to blacken, but a second cleaning will remove that. Afterward, polish or apply a brushed finish. It works great on aluminum engine parts as well.