Refinishing rims - Need Advice!

[The Wolf]

So today I was stripping the clear from the lips of my rims and discovered quite a few blemishes hidden underneath. I'm not sure what it is... if it's the actual aluminum oxidizing or what.

Can anyone tell me what is going on with the metal here?

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5599/blemishes.jpg
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/88/blemishes2.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/970/blemishes3.jpg

I don't have the money to get them professionally refurbished this year... would I look like a chump running them as is?

[Default User]

Jack up the car, Mount them on the drive wheels, throw it in first.

Take some 1500 grit sand paper and let it spin like a record player. Then hit it with 2000 grit, then finally 2000 grit wet.

[SonicBoy]

What exactly were you stripping the clear with?

Looks like what ever you used is reacting to the aluminum or hasn't fully removed the clear.

[The Wolf]

Thought about doing that, but the worst places are between the rivets and I don't think it would be effective.

[The Wolf]

What exactly were you stripping the clear with?

Looks like what ever you used is reacting to the aluminum or hasn't fully removed the clear.


Its furniture stripper - safe on metal. These marks were on the wheels before I started working on them. I thought they'd come off with the clear.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

So the clear did come off already?

If so the lip is pitted.

[The Wolf]

What causes this? I gave it a good sand/wetsand/polish and it went away. Its just the areas between the rivets that will take some serious elbow grease.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Neglect basically, wrong wheel cleaners, stuff like that

[Default User]

I always thought it's caused by air LOL. Oxygen and metal never mixes.

Try using NEVR-DULL. it's a cotton-like abrasive

It should be easier to clean around the rivets

[pacmann33]

I always thought it's caused by air LOL. Oxygen and metal never mixes.

Try using NEVR-DULL. it's a cotton-like abrasive

It should be easier to clean around the rivets

^This!

On the lips where it is easier to work with, I recommend "Autosol" metal polish, but most any metal polish will work. Something with a little bite.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af267/Angel031205/MOCC4.jpg

Work... do it!

[woodsball_delight]

lol, love the rims. saw an old school beamer out front of the office today with nice RS strapped on

[Aitch]

http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af267/Angel031205/MOCC4.jpg

Work... do it!

Damn it...... I really need to polish my lips.

PS - what size are those tires? If they are 205/40/17, that cements in my head that 205/45 is perfect for the look I want.

[The Wolf]

http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af267/Angel031205/MOCC4.jpg

Work... do it!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I thought I was the only one :( lol

that tire combo does look good! I've got 205/40's for the front and 215/40's for the rear in mind, but maybe 45's would fill up the wheel wells a little more.

here's what I'm left with (haven't done much between the rivets yet)
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2392/polishedrim.jpg

[Aitch]

Le BBS are becoming, how you say, popular!

And if they are 205/40's, I think you have to be REALLY low for it to look right.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I don't know specs :( 205 45s would probably look a lot better at that height. I run 45s on my stocks and its a good amount of tire.

[The Wolf]

Yeah true enough. I probably won't be going lower this summer.