The Detailers Cafe

Exterior Detailing => Metal Polishing => Topic started by: stoffden on March 13, 2011, 10:01:36 PM

Title: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: stoffden on March 13, 2011, 10:01:36 PM
I was detailing my truck this weekend and spent some quality time on the wheels and tires.  Noticed fine scratchs on the wheels.  What is the best way to remove these scratches?

Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Kitzy on March 13, 2011, 10:35:41 PM
If they're polished aluminum, there are a number of ways to go about it.  A good aluminum polish is one way.  There are many of them.  Poorboy's Professional Polish works great as well. 
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Too Stroked on March 14, 2011, 05:27:51 AM
Are we talking about the OEM Platinum wheels?
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: stoffden on March 14, 2011, 06:41:04 AM
Yes, the wheels are OEM.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Too Stroked on March 14, 2011, 09:47:24 AM
OK, then I'm pretty sure we're talking an aluminum wheel with Chrome plating, then a clear coat, so you've got to be careful. Got any closeup pictures of the scratches?
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Poorboy on March 14, 2011, 11:57:39 AM
pictures definitely help ... in either case I would use Pro Polish , the difference would be application ... if it's not cleared or chromed, I'd use a wool buffing ball if it is cleared or chrome then a much less abrasive path would be needed.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: stoffden on March 14, 2011, 10:14:28 PM
I checked the owner's manual and it states that the wheels are polished aluminum with a clear coat paint.

I have a photo to share but can't figure out how to add it to this post.

Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Too Stroked on March 15, 2011, 05:32:43 AM
I checked the owner's manual and it states that the wheels are polished aluminum with a clear coat paint.

I have a photo to share but can't figure out how to add it to this post.



OK, that does help knowing that they're clear coated / polished aluminum. That means no metal poilsh. Basically, you've gor to treat them pretty much like any painted surface. That said, any scratch deep enough to feel with your finger nail is pretty much going to stay there. Like Steve said, Pro Polish is probably a pretty good choice here. Then, follow it up with a good synthetic sealant such as Zaino, Meguiar's NXT, etc. for protection.

A risk in getting too silly with clear coated aluminum is that once you compromise (cut through) the clear coat, you run the risk of letting oxidation start on the (now) uncoated part of the wheel. This can be dangeous because the oxidation will just keep creeping - even under the remaining clear coat. So be careful here.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: stoffden on March 15, 2011, 06:15:56 AM
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.  Will try the polish.

Do you know why I don't have the option to upload a photo from my computer?  The only option I see is to upload a photo from an URL.   Thanks again.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Poorboy on March 15, 2011, 08:31:59 AM
no sure on the pictures i use photobucket ...

as Too Stroked said ... treat them no different than the paint, other than the fact the clear is a bit thicker and harder on wheels.  Also as he said, beware of going through the clear with abrasives .. if it goes through you will need to remove all the clear and then buff them like un-coated wheels ... this will be a lot of work and a PITA to upkeep.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Too Stroked on March 15, 2011, 08:57:24 AM
Do you know why I don't have the option to upload a photo from my computer?  The only option I see is to upload a photo from an URL.   Thanks again.

I believe that's a site security / hacking thing. Many other sites have the same policy.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Blown F-150 on March 15, 2011, 01:59:51 PM
After Polishing my wheels the last time, I used Poorboy's Wheel Sealant. Seemed to last pretty good and smelled great. Super Easy Application and removal.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: stoffden on March 15, 2011, 08:14:40 PM
(http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j390/stoffden/WheelPhoto.jpg)

Thanks for the Photo Bucket suggestion.  Photo of the wheel.  Needed to prove to myself I could add a photo.   Thanks again for the help. 
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: Too Stroked on March 16, 2011, 05:36:29 AM
Those really don't look that bad. Remember, wheels live in a pretty nasty environment. You can try to polish some of that out and I think you'll be reasonably successful, but there might be an easier way. Meguiar's NXT 2.0 is synthetic, so it will survive for a while with all of the heat a wheel sees. And, it's got some fillers in it to hide minor scratches. So, you could either polish, then apply NXT, or go straight to the NXT if you have better things to do. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Removing Scratches from Polished Aluminum Wheels
Post by: gipraw on March 16, 2011, 11:36:38 AM
Thanks for the replies and suggestions.  Will try the polish.

Do you know why I don't have the option to upload a photo from my computer?  The only option I see is to upload a photo from an URL.   Thanks again.

you can add the picture to your gallery here from your computer, then link to the pic in the gallery.   
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