Aluminum wheels, while not as shiny as chrome wheels, can look very attractive when they are polished. Aluminum is prone to oxidation from the air and deterioration from road salts, however, so it is very important to maintain a clean surface rather than wait until it becomes extremely dirty. In order for aluminum wheels to look their best all the time and really complement your car, you have to polish and buff them regularly.
Things You’ll Need
- Sponge
- Soft scrub pad
- Cloth
- De-greasing cleaner
- Polishing disks and tips
- Electric drill
- Brown Tripoli bar
- Microfiber cloth
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Clean the aluminum wheel with water. Use a hose and a strong jet of water so all the dirt can be removed from the wheels. It is very important for the aluminum wheel to be thoroughly cleaned before the polishing process.
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Wipe your aluminum wheel with a wet sponge and an aluminum de-greasing cleaning solution. Spray or apply the solution to the dirt and grime that’s difficult to remove. Wait a few minutes for the solution to soak in, then use a sponge or a soft dish-scrub pad to rub the aluminum wheel clean.
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Rinse the aluminum wheel with water. Wipe it off with a clean soft cloth and leave it to dry completely.
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Attach the polishing disk to your electric drill. Hold the polishing disk against one side of the Tripoli bar and turn on the drill. Let the polishing disk soak up the Tripoli substance for at least 30 seconds.
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Start working from one end of the wheel and make sure not to miss a spot. Don’t press the disk to the wheel too much. This will slow down the drill and make the polishing less effective.
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Re-coat the polishing disk with the Tripoli compound every few minutes and continue to polish with the electric drill at full speed until the wheel shines.
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Repeat Steps 5 and 6 with the white rouge compound, as well. White rouge is a finer metal polish than the Tripoli bar.
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Wipe the wheel with a clean microfiber polishing fabric for the final touch. Rub the wheel in one direction only.
Tips & Warnings
- Identify your wheel material. Not all aluminum wheels are the same. If your aluminum wheel has 20 percent or more magnesium, it can’t be polished effectively. It can, however, be cleaned thoroughly, but it can never shine like an all-aluminum wheel can.
- There are many commercial sprays and liquid cleaners designed specifically for aluminum car parts. You can find them in auto-parts stores or at car-care sections in supermarkets.
- Instead of a polishing disk, you can attach a polishing ball or a similar shape to your electric drill. Decide which type of polisher will work best for your particular aluminum wheel.
- Always make sure to wear a dust mask and protective goggles when working with a buffing wheel.