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polishing rims

Forum: C4 Engines, Driveline and Handling

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polishing rims

Posted: 11/5/09 9:53pmMessage 1 of 7
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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 12:49pmMessage 2 of 7
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jimmymack
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West Chester, PA - USA
Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 707
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
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polishing rims

Posted: 11/7/09 11:58amMessage 3 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22742
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Pics is good! I did a similar deal on the alloy rims on my '74...they came out really nice.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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polishing rims

Posted: 11/11/09 9:35amMessage 4 of 7
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dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Pics?  What pics??
Dan


(click to see a larger image)


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polishing rims

Posted: 11/12/09 7:30pmMessage 5 of 7
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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
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polishing rims

Posted: 11/12/09 9:25pmMessage 6 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22742
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
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
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(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"

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polishing rims

Posted: 10/21/10 5:59amMessage 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

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