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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
What is the best process to polish my aluminum wheels? I tryed by hand but it doesn't look as good as I had hoped. Can I use a drill with a polishing adapter? If so is it possible to polish too much?
unabonked, I believe the stock tear drops are clearcoated, in which case there is not much you can do without getting the clearcoat removed. Now I removed the clearcoat from one of my AR-23s with a die grinder and wire wheel because the clearcoat was peeling. I'm slowly working at sanding and polishing them with 400, then 800, then polishing compound on a buffing wheel. This is a very slow process, but shouldn't be as bad on stock teardrops. I'm thinking of getting the rest sandblasted rather than the wire wheel and polishing from there. I have a feeling that might be the dull kind of look you're going for. If I do that I'll post pics for ya.
For you other guys you should be able to use a drill or die grinder with polishing compound to polish your wheel. Also helps to keep the brake dust off of them with a wipe from a paper towel every couple of days.
I talked to the guy who sold me my amp for my subs, and he had an x with 3 15s in the back (supposedly loudest ride in town) and he has a friend at a different car audio shop, says this guy used Jasco (sp?) some kind of paint thinner from home depot and took that clear coat off and makes them shine almost like chrome. I dont know how much truth there is to that, but anyone think it sounds like a bad idea?
to me anything that would strip your clear coat off sounds like a bad idea. Is that a one time use only application. Cause after it strips the clear coat i cant see myself putting it back on bare rim. Would it start to eat away at the rim? Ive never heard of the product, IMO i would stay away.
i used to street race and i had weld wheels.. and the only thing that would clean them good, almost to the stock look is a brand cleaner called "wenol" i belive thats the spelling. u can get it at almost any store that sells like copper pots and pans... and its the BEST stuff on the market.....
this guy used Jasco (sp?) some kind of paint thinner from home depot and took that clear coat off and makes them shine almost like chrome. I dont know how much truth there is to that, but anyone think it sounds like a bad idea?
I used JASCO Paint stripper on my 91 explorer wheels. Took the clear coat off. Wheels looked really good. JASCO was one of the better brands I have used on other projects. Not all strippers are the same.
Mothers aluminum polish is the best I have ever seen. It took me about 4 hours to polish my wheels. So after one winter I said screw it and went with some rock crawlers.
