Polishing wheels

Topic: Polishing wheels (Read 2627 times) previous topic - next topic

Polishing wheels

March 16, 2021, 10:34:53 pm

Anybody pay to have their wheels polished lately? Curious on what people pay (not south of the border prices)

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #1 – March 16, 2021, 10:45:09 pm

Just be sure you don't polish Alcoa wheels with Durabrite coating on them - you'll destroy the coating.

The wheels should be labeled, but always verify.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #2 – March 16, 2021, 11:21:16 pm

They are Alcoa, but they are ugly, not brite and shiny. So I either polish them or paint them black

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #3 – March 16, 2021, 11:44:04 pm

WHAT POLISH ARE MY ALCOA WHEELS?

When replacing a wheel, the part number will be the best way to see which finish option the wheel is. Alcoa's numbering system is a 6 digit number and the last digit determines the finish of the wheel. If the wheel ends in a 7 the wheel is a LvL ONE polish. Most of the matte and machine finishes have been discontinued and those numbers will end in 0 (zero). The wheels ending in 1 or 2 are the mirror polish finish options. Font or Steer applications end in the number 1. Rear or Drive Applications and Trailer wheels will end in a 2. Other finish options are not polishes but treatments on a polish option so those will end in the same digits but will have a designation after, such as DB for Dura-Bright or DF for Dura-Flange. A quick way of determining the Alcoa wheel is the sticker applied. Both the Alcoa LvL ONE and the Alcoa Mirror have a blue sticker. The LvL ONE reads LvL ONE on the sticker and Mirror High Polish does not denote any other text. Alcoa's Dura-Bright Wheels have a black sticker and state Dura-Bright on the sticker. There are multiple generations of Dura-Bright and will be stated on the sticker. Aloca's first generation Dura-Bright's were just that, Dura-Bright's. Alcoa's second generation is their XBR Technology and is denoted on the Sticker. If the sticker reads EVO, the wheels are Alcoa's 3rd generation and newest technology.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #4 – March 16, 2021, 11:55:25 pm

Quote from: Ldillow – March 16, 2021, 11:21:16 pm

They are Alcoa, but they are ugly, not brite and shiny. So I either polish them or paint them black

The original wheels on a 1998 can be polished. Paint would be a bad idea.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #5 – March 17, 2021, 06:09:32 am

It's a fairly easy job if you have a stool and a hand drill with polishing buffer.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #6 – March 17, 2021, 07:58:35 am

Hope this isn't too far from thread subject. Mine too are ugly. On my 97 the wheels look like they had a coating which has partially worn off (or an attempt was made to remove the coating). Where the coating is missing, the wheel buffs up nicely with polish. The coating is very tough and does not remove easily. Does anyone know a good way to remove the coating? Thanks, Ed

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #7 – March 17, 2021, 09:30:18 am

Quote from: Ed &Jo – March 17, 2021, 07:58:35 am

Does anyone know a good way to remove the coating?

Do a search on Google for "how to polish Dura Bright wheels" or something like that. You will get lots of hits. It seems the basic idea is to take the wheel surface down to a consistent bare aluminum layer, which can then be polished by normal means. Some of the "methods" include machining the wheel, sanding the wheel with various grits, stripping the wheel with chemicals, and polishing the wheel with cutting compound.

I would consult with a wheel polishing "professional" to get their opinion. You can find someone who provides that service at many truck stops.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #8 – March 17, 2021, 09:33:48 am

I usually stop in Eloy, AZ at exit 208 off I-10, and pay $40 to have all 4 wheels polished. Takes them about a half hour and they do a nice job. We use Luna's but there are a couple places in the area.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #9 – March 17, 2021, 09:50:01 am

Eloy seems to be a truck polishing center. We have used Flash Truck Polishing (3200 N Chesley Rd, Eloy, AZ) several times on our way to "Q". I paid $50 to do 4 wheels plus 2 mirrors. Excellent, speedy service. Call ahead for appointment. Get there around breakfast time and hit Carl's Jr or McDonalds for takeout to eat while you wait.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #10 – March 17, 2021, 11:34:20 am

How about a picture Ed.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #11 – March 17, 2021, 01:36:34 pm

Prior to my Foretravel I owned a 2001 Monaco Dynasty. I had to polish the wheels every year. It was time consuming and never turned out as good as I had hoped. I have used a product called Bio-Kleen OXIDATION Removeron my boat. Is is described as a boat RV fiberglass cleaner. Also described as REMOVES WATER MINERAL BUILD UP FROM BOAT HULLS & MORE. I decided to see what it would do on my wheels and was amazed. I sprayed it on, let it sit for a few minutes, rinsed and dried. The wheels looked like brand new Initially I was mad at myself for not trying it sooner but I got over it.

I hope that this helps!

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #12 – March 17, 2021, 01:54:51 pm

I would rather pick cotton than polish aluminum wheels but I still do it every year with 3 fingers and a micro fiber cloth. I used an air powered polisher this year and gouged a wheel when the buffer came off. Took me several hours to sand and buff out the gouge. I would gladly pay to have it done but no pros in my area and anything less wont do it right. Used to say if it don't shine it ain't mine and I still try but have dropped some of my old sayings because when it comes right down to it I am not all that.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #13 – March 17, 2021, 03:29:29 pm

Another vote for Eloy Az.
But,, pay what you have to for the first polishing and then it's not that tough to keep em that way.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #14 – March 17, 2021, 11:49:17 pm

DJPAULS: I have taken your advice and ordered a bottle of the BIO KLEEN $16 on Amazon, if it works like it has worked for you I will be so happy, a few hours killing my back and beating up my fingers is not what I call fun. Should have it this week and if the weather is good will give it a try on my reasonably shiny wheels.
Will update y'all!
David

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #15 – March 18, 2021, 06:09:45 am

Report back, let us know your experience with this product, especially getting water spots off the rims.
Good luck.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #16 – March 18, 2021, 11:11:13 am

In our past business we sold Flitz metal polish among other products and used it with great success. I also have Mothers now and some power brushes to clean the rims and they make short work of the job. However, just before we left Puerto Penasco last week, I paid to have the rims polished and wow! For the mere sum of $40 for all, it was a no brainer. Will try and post some photos when we get good internet again, but once they are really shiny, it isn't hard to keep them that way!

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #17 – June 12, 2021, 11:12:46 pm

Once you get them polished, consider coating with SHARKHIDE. I have used this stuff for years on anything that you want to shine and stay that way for a long time. Last time I pulled the bottle out was 4 years ago on some diamond tread aluminum on the front of an enclosed trailer. Trailer gets washed every time I get it back home. Countless road trips hauling stuff to our home in the smokies and all over the southeast, and the stuff still looks brand new.

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #18 – June 13, 2021, 12:05:21 am

Quote from: mkc1962 – June 12, 2021, 11:12:46 pm

Once you get them polished, consider coating with SHARKHIDE. I have used this stuff for years on anything that you want to shine and stay that way for a long time. Last time I pulled the bottle out was 4 years ago on some diamond tread aluminum on the front of an enclosed trailer. Trailer gets washed every time I get it back home. Countless road trips hauling stuff to our home in the smokies and all over the southeast, and the stuff still looks brand new.

Also: Adam's Ceramic Wheel Coating | 9H Ceramic Wheel Coating Kit Durable Protectio...

Re: Polishing wheels

Reply #19 – June 13, 2021, 08:22:18 am

Quote from: Ldillow – March 16, 2021, 11:21:16 pm

They are Alcoa, but they are ugly, not brite and shiny. So I either polish them or paint them black

Please don't paint them black.... Black wheels make a vehicle, any vehicle, look cheap IMO

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