06-21-2008, 08:24 AM
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#1
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Polished Eggshells
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Naturally Aspirated
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
My Ride: '89 LeBaron
Engine: 2.5 T1
1/4: 0.000
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I've owned my '89 LeBaron since '94. Wheels looked pretty good at first, but slowly deteriorated into quite nasty. Couldn't really polish them at all because of the clear coat finish they had. The clear coat was peeling a little in places and generally dull and opaque. I decided recently to try to bring them back to life. The only way I know of is a method I've used on a couple of motorcyles and my valve cover. Sand down to good metal and polish it.
So, I removed the clear coat with acetone, took an hour or so. Then wet sanded with 320 grit for 3 or 4 hours until all discolored spots, scratches, and dings were gone. On to 400 grit, 600, 800, and 1000. These grits don't take as long, maybe half an hour apiece. Then I sprayed high temp black paint into the lug holes and the scallops around the edges. Didn't bother taping it off, would have been a nightmare job. Just sprayed the wheel surface also, when dry, I used acetone again to clean the overspray. Then polished with Mothers aluminum polish, a couple square inches at a time, takes about three times over to bring out the shine. Finished up by spraying hi-temp engine clear over all. Found out on the bikes and valve cover that if you don't clear coat, the aluminum starts corroding with white crust within a month or so. Eventually I'd like to try applying "Zoop" sealant, but didn't want to spend the $100 or so for that kit yet.
Took about 10 hours per wheel, with a few days break in between each one to let some feeling come back into my fingers. Tried using various power tools and buffing compounds, but didn't find anything that worked as well as regular finger power. Results are awesome, wheels look like mirrors now.
Before:
After:
Car:
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