Got a 96 XJ that has some aluminum wheels that were not properly taken care of. Some pitting (minor) but what appears to be brake dust stains and someone used a chemical that took the luster out. You can see the "dried" runs on the smooth surface area.

I've tried some normal cleaners using a scotch pad on the "holes" and regular metal polish on the smooth areas. Not much is helping. Any really good products out there? I don't mind the elbow grease but I'd like to see some result from it.

 

I actually restore rims as a side job. I would wetsand them starting with 300 and on up to 2500. Its a lot of work but the results will be like chrome. Just use a high speed polisher at the end. I can explain it in more detail if need be.

 

yea to polish heavily oxidized wheels they will need to be wetsanded. also, check to see if they are clearcoated, you will have to strip that off first

also, dont waste your time with a powerball. useless.

 

Yeah that's why they need to be sanded. Its prolly a safe bet that is what the flaking is. You cld take them to get blasted. But to remove the clr ct... I would take a red scotch disc and use an air dia grinder.then go through the wesanding steps and start at a 120 grit on up.

 

They're not clearcoated, just a satin look on the smooth areas. The holes are textered a bit and that's were most of the brake dust looks like it's "baked" on. I'll have to get a pic posted soon. Someone told me to get a powerball, but I didn't see that as being anything that would work at all.

 

Isn't there some sort of aerosol spray stripper you can use to melt away the clear coat?

Edit:
I have a corroded set if canyon rims needing the clear coat removed, sanded, primed, painted, then recleared.

 

Yes pics would be good. U might only need to start wet sanding @ 800 or so

 

wet sanding followed with some GOOD alum polish and a wool pad will make them bling, like so: