Any tips on cleaning old school aluminum rims!

[Ken Ford]

If you just want them clean and brighter colored, go to your car parts store and get some “brightner” but if you have a shine that will dull them.

 

[Smoothrj]

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.

Before I go downtown and rent some rimz…LOL

 

[geezer]

Air conditioner coil cleaner(acid) and leave them acid washed….that way every time they get dirty, it’s a simple acid wash and you’re done…

 

[fattboyzz]

Eagle One use to make a spray on cleaner that was strong. It worked fast to get the funk off. Then you could polish .

 

[Seacap]

West marine sells aluminum brite

 

[CAMSDADDY]

Anything that cleans them will make them dull. For a one time deal I would just have someone do it. By the time you buy all of the different cleaners, polish, tools etc someone could have them done for probably less money. The main thing is its going to take time and elbow grease and those cant be bought.

 

[Seacap]

If u want to get some muriatic acid, mix it with water and it will melt thru the crud, then u could polish, it works good on boats and costs a lot less

 

[poopdaddy]

I’m going to try mothers or something tomorrow. Prob pick up one of those polishing ball things.

just a heads up. i paid 30 per wheel. polishing is a lot of work.

 

[palmettomoon]

just a heads up. i paid 30 per wheel. polishing is a lot of work.

That seems a bargain.

 

[poopdaddy]