Polishing aluminum wheels, and original paint. What to use?

[imported_animes2k]

So I`m picking up this bad boy later this week and I wanted to know what I could do to these bare aluminum wheels to polish them up really well. I was look at the Flitz polish, with the drill attachments, but am open to ideas.



As well, this is factory original paint (about 13 years old, Mexican model) and I think it`s probably base/clear, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or experience with one of these before I started testing myself.



Thanks!



http://i.imgur.com/hKElz.jpg

[DM101]

Take a look here and pick what product need Results for aluminum - Search (http://autogeek.commerce-search.net/search/catalog-autogeek--keywords-aluminum--page-2--x-24--y-12) and for paint High Definition - Pro Line Products | Car Paint Protection – 3DProducts (http://www.3dproducts.com/34/) you can`t go wrong with UNO & POXY...

[wascallyrabbit]

i like the meguiar`s dynacone.



you`ll just have to do a test spot on the paint to see if its bc or ss.

[Scooter2525]

Super beetle? What year?



I have a `68 that could use me driving it again.

[wascallyrabbit]

he said 13 yrs old so i guess `99 or so.

[Brad B]

....about 13 years old, Mexican model...



Very cool. I didn`t know we could get those here. How did you do it?

[imported_animes2k]

It`s been through a few previous owners. The title says 1970 VW, so I just had to have it transferred. I believe the chassis is a 1970, while everything around it is modern. Fuel injection, hydraulic lifters, A/C, catalytic converter, disc brakes, decent seats, transponder ignition cutoff, `security system` lock in the fender. ~42k miles/68k km.



FWIW, I tried cleaning up the wheels with Sonax, and with Meg`s consumer Hot Rims Aluminum and they didn`t make much of a dent.



I hit them today with the Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean and holy crap that stuff took EVERYTHING off. Glad I was wearing long sleeves, rubber gloves and goggles, tho. I did part of a wheel by hand with the Flitz polish after that and it started to come up REALLY nicely. I also got new shoes on there, as the originals were total junk and scary to drive.



I`ll get some after pics later - this is before the Flitz Pre-Clean.



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7171920710_2f612e031f_o.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7171920860_07c2989314_o.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7173278672_8eb4890ec9_o.jpg



http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7171921232_45d20e1703_o.jpg



A full detail is in order. Clay, polish, seal/wax, Z12 the glass... It certainly needs it!



I also tried the Meg`s cone system. Totally unimpressed. The smaller Flitz ball did OKAY, but honestly, I`m getting the best results by hand. I do like the Flitz polish with a paper towel, though. Does the job nicely.

[Scooter2525]

he said 13 yrs old so i guess `99 or so.



Misread on my part. Forget that Mexico was making them until the past few years.

[imported_animes2k]

Ok, quick update.



Here`s where we started - that`s not just dirt, that`s baked-in crud:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/7171920860_07c2989314_o.jpg



This is what they looked like after the Pre-Clean:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5200/7231279410_419e2da994_b.jpg



And a wash:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7231280164_fdef1d83e0_b.jpg



A pass with the Flitz Ball:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7231278868_6a26f4cd61_h.jpg



My only complaint is that the ball (even the smaller/motorcycle one which fits into the lug recesses nicely) is hard to get into the detail areas.



To get them fully polished up still requires a good bit of hand work.

[brownbob06]

Wow, that`s a hell of a job on the rims.



FWIW the only Megs hot rims that works really good for me is the chrome. The aluminum one doesnt do much.



I have aluminum rims on my truck, looks like I`m gonna have to pick up some flitz!

[Thomas Dekany]

Congrats on the new ride!



I did a blue beetle awhile back, used UNO and POXY. Came out beautiful. It was very light (baby blue) blue.

[imported_animes2k]

Brownbob: I was hesitant, but man does that stuff do the job! The polish itself is as good as anything else, maybe a bit better. But the Pre-Clean worked wonders. Wear full protection as it`s some nasty stuff. Now I have to figure out what to protect them with. I threw some #16 on the rear wheel.



Thanks, Thomas! I finally started polishing yesterday and this is definitely going to be challenging, thanks to all the curves, protruding parts, and tight areas. I was making pretty good progress with the Flex, Meg`s MF polishing pad and the Meg`s cinnamon-scented Correction Compound. Finished down quite nicely and cut enough to take care of those nasty swirls. A couple of areas needed more than one pass, but even most of the deeper looking scratches came up well.



Unfortunately, I only got the passenger side done. I`ll have to attack the rest at some other time, ideally before this weekend, as the BugOut is happening on Sunday!

[Thomas Dekany]

You have to take it to BugOut. That is a good show.

[imported_animes2k]

You have to take it to BugOut. That is a good show.



Definitely going! My brother can`t make it, but my coworker who has a new GTI will be joining me.

[Thomas Dekany]

Great! Have fun.