Polished alloys clean up

[db_abz]

Hi guys, thought I'd let you see what I've been up to today.
This is where I started


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02412.jpg


Looks OK, just needs a clean up eh?
Well the rim is not painted, only the throwing star centres are painted, you're supposed to be looking at a highly polished rim ! I've got some work to do!!.
The back side doesn't look too clever either.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02414.jpg


First off, removed the centres and gave everything a clean up with APC and some water.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02415.jpg

Looks better, but a closer inspection reveals brake dust that has eaten into the alloy, I've tried loads of potions, lotions and hubbly bubbly stuff to remove it but alas it's too far gone to simply dissolve and wipe clean.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02417.jpg

Tried some 600 grit wet & dry but that wouldn't get down into the dips so moved up through 400, 200, 120 but still not giving me the results I wanted.
Tried a couple more things then settled on steel wool, going from co****, through medium and finally fine grade. This is what i was left with now, no dirt or craters but seriously dull.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02419.jpg

Now, I got through the post last week a metal polishing kit which was screaming at me to be used so out it came, first the co**** wheel and co**** polish.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02422.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02421.jpg

Then the medium

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02425.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02424.jpg

Finally the fine

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02427.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02428.jpg

Happy enough that I was going to get the look I wanted, I carried on with the rest of the wheel.

The back of the wheel and the centre was cleaned using ScratchX, the alloy was given a final hand job of NXT Metal Polysh then everything was sealed using AIO.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02433.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02434.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02438.jpg

As you can see, it started raining before I could get the wheel fitted but gives a good reflection shot though!

Lastly, the wheel arch was given a scrub with APC before fitting the wheel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02442.jpg

Finished!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/db_abz/DSC02444.jpg


Not up to the standard of Myxa yet but it was my first go with the metal polishing kit and I'm quite pleased with the finish I got.
Still not sure how long to work on one area, how much polish to apply, how much weight to put on the pad but all in all I'm a happy bunny!

I'm sure you've all worked it out, but the swearing filter won't let me put co****, it is meant to read c o a r s e. !!

Dave

[182_blue]

looking good mate, now you gotta keep them shiny

[db_abz]

You mean keep IT clean, I've only done one so far !!

I managed all last year to keep them good, the winter months have been harsh though. Think I'll be putting on my old alloys next winter !

Dave

[myxa]

Nice work their.:thumb:

[Brazo]

Looking very nice, could be worth laquering your polished bit??

Lots of excellent wheel threads at the mo :)

[db_abz]

Nice work their.:thumb:


Thanks Myxa, praise indeed when it comes from king wheel polisher himself. !!

Dave

[db_abz]

Looking very nice, could be worth laquering your polished bit??

Lots of excellent wheel threads at the mo :)


Thanks Brazo, sorry no tree shots, couldn't get them to work at all!!

I've been put off lacquering the wheels as most people I've spoken to reckon that lacquer has a hard time bonding directly to polished metal and tends to chip and flake. Then water and dirt gets under the lacquer and it all just looks a mess.

Dave

[db_abz]

That's all 4 done now!
Every one done in the rain as well!
Hoping that the AIO on top of the polished alloy will last OK and make clean-up a bit easier.

Dave

[Tone]

Nice job there!

Have you thought about applying some sealent ontop of the AIO? Will give it a bit more proection in the long run.

[db_abz]

Hi Tone, thanks for the comments.

I'll probably put an extra coat of AIO on this weekend followed by AG EGP for the next few weekends. hopefully this will make cleaning a breeze.

Dave

[Daffy]

Any pictures of the finished articles in situ. Looks like a lot of hard work went in to that but well worth it judging by the results.

[dino]

Wow - nice work. Came up really well.

[db_abz]

Thanks guys, planning on a paintwork and interior spring clean this weekend (did the wife's CRV last weekend). I'll get some photos up after that.

Dave

[MattB]

I've been put off lacquering the wheels as most people I've spoken to reckon that lacquer has a hard time bonding directly to polished metal and tends to chip and flake. Then water and dirt gets under the lacquer and it all just looks a mess

One day BBS will work this out!! I seriously need to sort the BBS split rims on my BM (along with many other bits!).

[slideordie]

Excellent job mate, polishing is very rewarding.

definately dont clear coat, if you get ONE stone chip, water will get in and tarnish the surrounding area and before you know it the clear will be flaking off and you'll be back to square one!