polishing aluminum wheels

[toplessHO]

That's the cost of 1.5 wheels where I'm at. $100 a wheel is insane.

I would be happy paying that per wheel just for polishing

 

[isb cornbinder]

Phoenix Specialty Coatings ~ Exceptional Custom Powder Coating

Metal Finisher and Industry Pioneer of Multi-Color Powder Coating. Custom one-offs, Mopar parts restorations, custom metal art, all makes and metals welcome (no used aluminum rims please). Est. 2007

phoenixspecialtycoatings.com

I am happy to recommend this company for any powder coating needs. Her company does work that is way above the industry standard. Her company offers a product for stripping powder coatings.

 

[ronr80]

I did mine the old fashion way then I graphene coated them on a few vettes I had , these are aluminium . The beige vette was an 1980. I also did the inside of my 2106 , it's work but good results. R

 

[isb cornbinder]

I did a detailed strip and paint of set of BBS wheels for my 1940 Ford. I have many hours into each wheel. I think the finish may have been worth the effort. (maybe)
Some years before, I built a welding positioner. I made an adapter to hold the wheels in the positioner's chuck.
The parts were repurposed from a treadmill. It works well.
There is a small modification made to each wheel to fit the mid 30s Ford hubcap.

 

[Dagny]

What do you put on them when your done mine have some kind of clear coat and its coming off.

 

[isb cornbinder]

What do you put on them when your done mine have some kind of clear coat and its coming off.

I used TREMCLAD no primer needed from rattle cans. The paint has been on the wheels for 13 years. I polished the rim edges of the wheels while they were mounted in a weld positioner. I used a polishing cloth wheel on a Milwaukee angle grinder.
Before the Powder **** lady told me that she sells a powder stripper, I soaked each wheel in a large commercial cooking pot partially filled with gun wash lacquer thinner. The soaking was more than 10 hours, followed by power washing and many hours of detailed prep.
Tremclad is Canadian, Rustoleum is USA. Same company. The paints may be different.
Ford used these wheels on the Lincoln. Over the parts counter each wheel was $1300. I got most of my BBS for free at a Ford Recycler. I bought 3 NOS from a dealer on Portland. Including the 5 on the car, there are a total of 12 BBS wheels.
The STERLING grinder was painted with Rustoleum.

 

[toplessHO]

I use my brake lathe for polishing and repair.
Im going to make a jig to hold the drum sander I made from angle grinder
so I can safely sand the inside hoop.