Shine up those 5 holers

[jaycin]

Happy Soltice to all.

I have done all I need to get my 93 Explorer looking great with a new paint job. All that's left now are the wheels. What is the best method to get that new car look on those wheels? The fronts have a red look from the pad dust. I've seen very shiny wheels around on cars as old as this. What's the secret?

 

[Anime]

You can just spray on some decent wheel cleaner, and either use a wheel detail brush or a toothbrush to scrub off the brake dust with wheel cleaner and water. Then rinse. Do this until the wheels are clean.

The more thorough method is to do this with the wheels off the truck, and clean the inside of the wheel as well as you clean the outside. A ton of brake dust and gunk builds up in there.

There's not much else you can do, as the wheels have a factory finish and are clear coated. On some designs it might be possible to remove the clear coat from the alloy surface and leave the clear over the painted parts, then have them recoated for a new look. It might be easier to just change the wheels and either go aftermarket or get a newer set, maybe from a newer Explorer or other model.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

powder coat them!!

get some spare steel rims and ship the rims off to get powder coated!

 

[92exp4x4]

LMC truck carries brand new factory star wheels for first Gens. Other wise you will have to get your wheels glass bead blasted and refinished. I would guess about $100 a wheel to refinish them. The new ones are $200 a piece without centercaps. The centers are $55 each, pricey but your truck would look great.

 

[Currency]

LMC truck carries brand new factory star wheels for first Gens. The new ones are $200 a piece without centercaps.

I thought according to my LMC catalog the stock 15x7 first gen explorer rims were $200 for the set of four without the centers? I will check again later to make sure but I thought it said (4) $200. :scratch:

You can get them new on ebay for $50 each, some sellers offer free shipping as well.

Edit: Yeah I was wrong, $199.95 each. Total for four rims, $ 892.50.

 

[92exp4x4]

$200 a set would be fantastic!! All my trucks would have brand new wheels.

 

[Joe Dirt]

No way LMC Truck would sell anything that cheap... lol!

 

[Glen4X4]

I have used Armorall Wheel cleaner on my wheels a couple years ago when I tried keeping my 92 all shined up and it worked great it was a simple spray on let sit and then hose off and shined the wheels up like new.

 

[jaycin]

Well, I found a bottle of Aluminum and Stainless Steel cleaner under the kitchen sink that my wife uses to shine her good pots and pans. A little scrubbing after a washing and those wheels are looking fantastic!! Thanks for those inputs ( except for the $800 solution .

 

[Glen4X4]

Well, I found a bottle of Aluminum and Stainless Steel cleaner under the kitchen sink that my wife uses to shine her good pots and pans. A little scrubbing after a washing and those wheels are looking fantastic!! Thanks for those inputs ( except for the $800 solution .

Show us how they look! And whats the name of the cleaner you used?