MY Fikse-FM10 Aluminum wheels are oxidized....how to clean?

Amir · 12-08-02, 01:52

Ok, so my Fikse FM-10s have been sitting in my garage for about 6 months. Was cleaning the garage out the other day, and noticed a greyish color on all 4 wheels. I'm pretty sure it's oxidation.

So far, I have tried mother's aluminum polish, and some other aluminum polish that claims to "instantl remove oxidation". Both products failed to work. Can anyone suggest anything else?

Here is a picture

HellrotCi · 12-08-02, 05:39

I've been using 3M Aluminum Polish on my bare aluminum wheels and have been pretty happy with the results. A few months ago I bought some Wenol Metal Polish and a buffing wheel that attaches to my drill. After you get your wheels polished, do a final cleaning with Klasse AIO and then apply several coats of SG.

forrest · 12-08-02, 08:25

When you applied the aluminum polish to the center section (where most of the discoloration seems to be), did the polish turn black when you started buffing?

The discoloration pattern doesn't look like oxidation to me - it looks like something (wheel cleaner?) got on the wheel and stained it.

What were the wheels been cleaned with before being put away?

Edit - I enlarged the picture and it probably is oxidation. What part of the country are you in? Close to any salt water? When was the last time the wheels were polished?

You may want to consider using a cotton buffing wheel (Home Depot sells a 4" one that fits in a drill for a few dollars) with the aluminum polish. Just make sure you keep the buffing wheel moving to obtain an even finish, and use light pressure to prevent the aluminum from blueing from the heat generated from heavy pressure.

Redcar GUY · 12-08-02, 10:25

wow sorry to see a sight like that on tho$e wheel$

good luck

Pats300zx · 12-08-02, 11:12

I agree. That doesn't look like oxidation. It looks like etching from some type of wheel cleaner. I love Fiske wheels. I was torn between them and getting the HRE's.

Amir · 12-08-02, 02:02

Ok, So 1 says oxidation, 1 says no. Anyone else have any insight?

stuart hicks · 12-10-02, 12:47

Sorry but it's not oxidation in my opinion.

You got some acid wheel cleaner on their or something just as bad.

What you need to do is remove the clear coat and then the metal polishes can do their job.

Get some Mar-hyde or any brand of spray paint remover and it will remove this layer of clear coat.

Be sure to take your wheels off the car so the spray remover doesn't get on you car.

You can get this stuff at lowe's or Home Depot for about 4 bucks.

I actually did this to my wheels on my 300zx and they look great.

Remember, that once the clear is removed you will have to polish the metal every few months

Metal Madness metal polish is the best metal polish. It beats Mothers ,Semi-chrome Wenol etc. Faster results with out loading you towel or buffing wheel with all that black Gunk. The site is WWW.supershinedetail.com

Intel486 · 12-10-02, 01:01

I agree, it doesn't look like oxidation. Looks more like some sort of etching.

Oxidation usually happens easily over the surface of the wheel so they just get dull.

Amir · 12-10-02, 01:30

Quote:

Originally posted by stuart hicks
Sorry but it's not oxidation in my opinion.

You got some acid wheel cleaner on their or something just as bad.

What you need to do is remove the clear coat and then the metal polishes can do their job.

Get some Mar-hyde or any brand of spray paint remover and it will remove this layer of clear coat.

Be sure to take your wheels off the car so the spray remover doesn't get on you car.

You can get this stuff at lowe's or Home Depot for about 4 bucks.

I actually did this to my wheels on my 300zx and they look great.

Remember, that once the clear is removed you will have to polish the metal every few months

Metal Madness metal polish is the best metal polish. It beats Mothers ,Semi-chrome Wenol etc. Faster results with out loading you towel or buffing wheel with all that black Gunk. The site is WWW.supershinedetail.com

Stuart, thanks for the advice. I've actually read that Fikse does not clear coat their wheels. If this is the case, can I skip to step two? Thanks again

Amir

mp996 · 12-10-02, 01:50

If you care about the value of the wheels, you could always send them back to Fiske or a place like Wheel Enhancement to have them refinished.

Amir · 12-10-02, 01:57

Quote:

Originally posted by mp996
If you care about the value of the wheels, you could always send them back to Fiske or a place like Wheel Enhancement to have them refinished.

I do care, but being in college does not help me in this situation (not enough $$$ in the checking account

), as fikse will just tell me I will need 4 new centers and 4 new outer halfs, which will easily be almost $2k.

Nevertheless, I got it. This 3m aluminum polish kit is working great. I will post final pics when I'm done (most likely will be after finals).

Brad B. · 12-10-02, 02:59

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier. The Fikse wheels are NOT clearcoated. Aluminum polish will clean them up but it will take some time. Take the wheels off and work on them flat on the ground. You will do a much better job than rubbing vertically. Better leverage, less exhaustion. Consider a Dremel tool and a lot of their little white buffer accessory attachments. They work "slightly" faster than by hand.

Metal polishing/refinishing places (Yellow Pages) have long flexible attachments that go on the end of buffers that allow them to buff things like this easily so if you get desperate you can pay them to do it. It's not hugely expensive. Less than shipping to send it back to Fikse to do.