Polishing Rims

[ntm]

Hi, I need help... I'm having problem with polishing my rims, manufacture spec it says polish aluminum. Tried using aluminum polish it created fine scratches... When I was on the Meguiars detailing class we tried most of the polishing compounds, ultimate polish, swirl-x.scratch-x and it created more fine lines and we figure out it was clear coated... when I got home I tried 205 the lines/scrathes got finer not sure if 205 is less abrasive than scratch-x/ swirl-x... Can Meguiars Machine Glaze #3 eliminate this lines? does #3 work on uncoated rims too? Or what should I will be working on? Thanks in advance...

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Rims

If they are clear coated, then #205/Ult. Polish would be the way to go. I believe Ult. Polish is milder than #205.

What are you applying them with?

[ntm]

Re: Polishing Rims

I apply them with Mothers Powercone... if it is uncoated with this fine line/scartches what would you recommend to clear them? reason I ask for uncoated is I'm still leaning this rims are not coated as the manufacturer spec says it... Thanks again

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Rims

Little lost.. are you saying these ones are cleared, or not? Is your applicator turning black when use it?

Not sure you will get the finest lines out of bare metal. But working by hand with terry or foam may be gentler and help leave less marks.

I'm not sure about clear-coating rims that are just bare metal. Would have to talk to a paint shop I suppose.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polishing Rims

Is the cone turning black when you're working on the wheels? If not, then they are not bare aluminum, and if that's the case then a metal polish and/or the cone itself is probably causing the fine scratches in the clear.

Have a look at this Quik Tip video - Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series - Quick and Easy Wheel Polishing - and see if this is how the cone looks after use. In the video we're polishing up the bare aluminum wheels on Barry Meguiar's '57 Chevy. Wheels that we intentionally stained with Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner just so that we had something to polish back to a high shine.

[ntm]

Re: Polishing Rims

yes, The cone turns black when I try to buff them. But when we tried it at the training class with Mike, he showed me that the MF didn't turn black so it must be clear coated "this is where I got confuse" plus the guy that was in the class (forgot the name sorry) said it must be coated since it has different sound to it than uncoated so we tried swirl-x and it got more fine scratches to it. So we left it as it is as we are wrapping things up... Then when I got home I tried 205 still showing fine marks it didnt go away... My apology for any confusion here. I just wanted to know if there are any polishing compound finer than 205 and try it on my rims coated or uncoated... Either that or I need to buy both products for coated and uncoated and test it.?

BTW I tried 3" finishing pad applied with 205 on a cordless drill...

[ntm]

Re: Polishing Rims

"Finer than 205". What I mean is less abrasive than 205...

[GhOsT1321]

Re: Polishing Rims

I would recommend Flitz. It's about as fine as a metal polish comes, but it is not readily available, you often have to buy it online.
It doesn't get much finer than Flitz, being that it is between .5 -1.0ish micron in abrasive size. Don't let Flitz dry.
I have heard some argue that Simichrome and Wenol are similar to Flitz, if not better. However, I have only used Flitz personally.

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Rims

They arent painted spoke and polished rim or something?

But if you used a paint product, you would at least be safe either way.

I think Ult. Polish would be about the only product milder, with some abrasives. But thats really getting mild.

I dont think you will remove all the marks from metal.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polishing Rims

We hate to say it, but there is every possibility that the cone itself is leaving the fine scratches in the finish and not the polish itself. You might want to try using a foam wax applicator pad with either some M205 or, better yet, the metal polish you've been using.

In the Quik Tips Video we referenced earlier the wheels on Barry's car are practically a mirror finish and they look like chrome. After intentionally staining them we brought them back to their original finish using our DynaCone wheel polishing cone and our Hot Rims All Metal Polish.

[ntm]

Re: Polishing Rims

I will try the foam applicator and the ult. polish. I have notice that from the cone buffer with 205 i used the scratches got finer... Thanks for the response...