Polishing alloy wheels - who?

[westy]

Hey,

Got a set of Celica-Supra MA61 alloys that have seen better days. They are the stock 14x7 +8 style and I am needing them to be polished. I wasn't previously going to bother as Wheel Gleam wanted $600 to polish up and paint out the detailed parts (between spokes and groove through spokes) about a year ago. At the time, they only suited one of my cars and now they suit 4 of my cars so now they will actually have a use in the future rather then becoming 80's wall art.

Does anyone have any recommendations of who to use? Otherwise is $600 reasonable? I think I took 4 wheels in but can't remember if I have 4 or 5 of those wheels. Want all done anyway. If it works out better, might get a set of the 14x5.5 4 slot style seen on many a Celica, Corona and Tarago polished too. He was saying they would look/shine like a mirror with all factory machine lines removed, so they sound like it will be "over-restored" but that's good enough. Could possibly look at sending the Soarer/Celica XX 15x6 (very similar to the Supra 14" wheels in too). Pics below of the Supra wheels and common Toyota alloy used on nearly everything.

Thanks.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LnYHWfiSbJk/UUKRMXqDodI/AAAAAAAAAPY/W7Z0vgywzvg/s1600/2013-03-14+22.19.20.jpg

http://www3.sympatico.ca/dean.anderson4/LTYPEWHL.jpg

[ASSASIN]

I have used Simon from wheel gleem a couple of times and that's about the money I payed and I couldn't fault the job. Very happy with them.

[masTers]

Briffa for wheel polishing. End thread. The cost sounds about right as it is quite labour intensive, and a very dirty job.

[shifted]

+1 for Briffa, he does fantastic work.

[[FL0SSIN]]

I got briffa to re do my work Meisters, paint the centers black and polish the lips.... I boong with a $2 rattle can and a bit of scotch brite could of done a better job, but that's just my experience with briffa, every one else seems to have had great dealings with him/them :/

[catchya]

Do you have the tools/skills and time to do it yourself? I can help you or guide you. Theres about 1.5hrs in labour + materials per rim. Done a few in my time.

[westy]

Forgot about Briffa, have seen both good and bad.


Do you have the tools/skills and time to do it yourself? I can help you or guide you. Theres about 1.5hrs in labour + materials per rim. Done a few in my time.

Possibly, but I get lazy/loose interest if I don't see results immediately. I bought a 2" air sander and some pads to suit, good for cleaning rash up, then bought one of those noodle-y type pads, scratches everything up good, then tried 600 grit, 1000 grit then 2000 grit wet and dry. Starting to see a reflection but its more of a smoky reflection instead of mirror reflection. That's one an R32 rim, wasn't going to practice on good rims first.

If it saves a small fortune, will try it as I want to get some more old-school rims for the cars and would rather money go there.

I eventually want to set up a machine, similar to a balancer that constantly spins the wheel so I can sand them better, but that is about 6 months to a year away yet.

I got the quote and thought, Fuck that, not worth half a weeks pay. Started one wheel, now I am wondering how quick I can get it done :p

[catchya]

Use 200, 400 and then 600 grit. Grey compound with cotton buffing wheel, bout 1200-1500rpm. It should shine up quite well after this process. Finish off with green compound on white buffing mop, again 1200 -1500rpm. Results will be mirror like. Clean rim with pure alcohol / Prepsol inbetween compounds.

[westy]

Use 200, 400 and then 600 grit. Grey compound with cotton buffing wheel, bout 1200-1500rpm. It should shine up quite well after this process. Finish off with green compound on white buffing mop, again 1200 -1500rpm. Results will be mirror like. Clean rim with pure alcohol / Prepsol inbetween compounds.

Do you mean like a Josco thing? Where you get the 2 pads and 2 colour wax things? Tried it before and it just polished the tarnish with a dull shine.

Is green compound/white compound a brand name? Where would I get this stuff from? I usually walk into Bunnings and buy what I think I need then give up when it turns to shit.

[catchya]

I buy my compounds / wheels from Metalquip in ewing st welshpool. Hein Vermeulen is the man. Huge selection of buffing wheels as well. The Josco stuff from bunnings is too small but comes in handy for tighter corners. 6-8" buffing wheels is the go. I have used both. I use a green compound made in Denmark. Its expensive but the tab lasts for ages. It has more silica in it than the cheaper stuff most use. I find that finishing off with the white compound is just not needed.

[180SXTCY]

I've used the Josco poloshing kits many of times, they work really well just need to be patient.

[uzx83]

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q264/metal_mulisha_bloke/IMG_20082_zps98ab3834.jpg (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/metal_mulisha_bloke/media/IMG_20082_zps98ab3834.jpg.html)

This dude did his by hand im pretty sure, came up amazing, took him some time tho i think