Aluminum wheel polishing

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KillaCam

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I have high polished bare aluminum wheels on my daily driver and polishing them by hand is getting old. Water spots get baked on every time it rains in the summer from the sun and heat so polishing them often is the only way to keep them looking good.
Last year I bought the mothers powerball mini and was not satisfied with it. It couldn't get into the tight areas on my wheels.
I've been looking at the mothers powercone and also the meguiars dynacone. They look like they could work and get into those tight areas in my wheels.
Does anyone have experience with either of these or could recommend something even better? I have about 5 different metal polishes that all work great but I want to spend less time and effort than polishing by hand.
 
what I would suggest is to go to buschshineproducts.com. all they deal with is polishing metal. grab some of there aluminum wheel cleaner and their polish. the cleaner removes all the old polish and makes the wheel a lot easier to polish. then I would just go over them by hand with the polish. you'll see it's that easy. it would be best to get a real wheel coating to go over top like gtechniq wheel armor and give in a few coats, remember to follow the directions to a T so you get the most longevity. this also goes for the wheel cleaner and polish make sure the wheel is cool to the touch before you start working on them of the cleaner can do some crazy things. it's acid based.
 
I was thinking of buying an aluminum polishing kit that they sell at harbor freight and places like that. It has three compounds and a bunch of cotton wheels and stuff to get in the tight places. I've used tripoli compound on a buffing wheel with good results.
 
KillaCam said:
Does it work good on billet aluminum? That sponge looks like it would scratch the hell out of aluminum.
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Yes it works on Billet aluminum just be gentle and take your time. As far as the cones go I use Original powerball,mini and about 90% of the time it does everything I need it to do.

What drill are you using?
 
T3 AutoDetails said:
Yes it works on Billet aluminum just be gentle and take your time. As far as the cones go I use Original powerball,mini and about 90% of the time it does everything I need it to do.

What drill are you using?
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I'd like to see some more feedback on that polishing soap from people who used it on highly polished aluminum, which scratches VERY easily.

I'm using an electric drill. The powerball mini can't get into tight places because it is a ball..
 
KillaCam said:
I'd like to see some more feedback on that polishing soap from people who used it on highly polished aluminum, which scratches VERY easily.

I'm using an electric drill. The powerball mini can't get into tight places because it is a ball..
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Google, felt bobs.
 
KillaCam said:
...I've used tripoli compound on a buffing wheel with good results.
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Tripoli on highly polished al. will leave a haze if not chased by a lesser aggressive polish. Consider yourself fortunate.

KillaCam said:
I have high polished bare aluminum wheels on my daily driver and polishing them by hand is getting old. Water spots get baked on every time it rains in the summer from the sun and heat so polishing them often is the only way to keep them looking good.
Last year I bought the mothers powerball mini and was not satisfied with it. It couldn't get into the tight areas on my wheels.
I've been looking at the mothers powercone and also the meguiars dynacone. They look like they could work and get into those tight areas in my wheels.
Does anyone have experience with either of these or could recommend something even better? I have about 5 different metal polishes that all work great but I want to spend less time and effort than polishing by hand.
Click to expand...

Good product when used as intended. My experience was negative due to user error.
 
Round balls don't go in to square corners very well.

That's why we made the PowerCone.

BTW, run your drill at low speed. There's no reason to exceed about 300 rpm or so.

If your rims are billet, after using whatever tool you use, do a final application of the finest polish you have with a rubber nitrile glove. Polish lightly and then remove the residue with a quality microfiber while still wet, wiping gently and turning to a clean area constantly. That will give you the most flaw-free finish possible.
 
Vegas Transplant said:
Tripoli on highly polished al. will leave a haze if not chased by a lesser aggressive polish. Consider yourself fortunate.
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That's why I was going to follow it up with the white rouge polish afterward. And then possibly only using the white rouge for maintenance polishing.

How was your experience with the powercone after you figured out how to use it correctly?
 
forrest@mothers said:
Round balls don't go in to square corners very well.

That's why we made the PowerCone.

BTW, run your drill at low speed. There's no reason to exceed about 300 rpm or so.

If your rims are billet, after using whatever tool you use, do a final application of the finest polish you have with a rubber nitrile glove. Polish lightly and then remove the residue with a quality microfiber while still wet, wiping gently and turning to a clean area constantly. That will give you the most flaw-free finish possible.
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Thanks for the tips forrest! :dblthumb2:
 
The white rouge will give you a decent shine, personally I've found Zephyrs platinum "Max Red" with a very loose soft unsewn wheel gives it a much more brilliant shine.

Flour on a soft towel will remove the leftover residue.
 
Durallymax said:
The white rouge will give you a decent shine, personally I've found Zephyrs platinum "Max Red" with a very loose soft unsewn wheel gives it a much more brilliant shine.

Flour on a soft towel will remove the leftover residue.
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So you'd recommend the max red over the white rouge?
Do you mean flour like the kind that's used in the kitchen? Lol
 
KillaCam said:
So you'd recommend the max red over the white rouge?
Do you mean flour like the kind that's used in the kitchen? Lol
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I've been doing Blue Air Way with Emery compound, Yellow with tripoli, white with spiral sewn wheel and then Max Red with the unsewn soft wheel.

I have not tried going from tripoli to max red, not sure if it would have quite enough cut, maybe a different wheel with the Max Red would provide enough cut to skip the white rouge but still produce an adequate shine.

Yes baking flour like in the kitchen.
 
Durallymax said:
I've been doing Blue Air Way with Emery compound, Yellow with tripoli, white with spiral sewn wheel and then Max Red with the unsewn soft wheel.

I have not tried going from tripoli to max red, not sure if it would have quite enough cut, maybe a different wheel with the Max Red would provide enough cut to skip the white rouge but still produce an adequate shine.

Yes baking flour like in the kitchen.
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That's a lot of steps. What do you think will take out mild water spots that'll give a real nice shine?
 
KillaCam said:
That's a lot of steps. What do you think will take out mild water spots that'll give a real nice shine?
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You should'nt need to go anywhere near the emery, might not even need to tripoli.

Use the same procedure as paint, least agressive method.
 
Durallymax said:
You should'nt need to go anywhere near the emery, might not even need to tripoli.

Use the same procedure as paint, least agressive method.
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Good to know. I wasn't planning on hitting the wheels with the most aggressive compound.
Are those kits that harbor freight and amazon sell any good? With the cotton wheels and stuff.
 
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