mdunlavy

I want to clean up the original slotted aluminum wheels on my '77 - other than the obvious polishing them, is there something someone on here has used with any luck? wondering if I can buy some sort of mild acidic cleaner to dunk them to start, then polish up the front after??

Anyone try something like this?

https://www.nanoskinusa.com/products...el-cleaner-4-1

thanks,

Michael

cv67

Why dip them, do you have bad staining from brake dust or?
Wouldnt use simple green for sure.

mdunlavy

They look like this, would like to get them cleaned up and looking new again....

interpon

Acid will destroy any paint if there still is any left..i would scotchbrite it first and see how it looks..
otherwise
check this thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-wheels-2.html

Easy Mike

What do the fronts look like?

ajchance

Not sure about the makeup of the slotted originals, but I had to refurbish some old slotted mags on my 71 and had to polish down progressively to get rid of the oxidation. Came out great with a mirror finish but far more involved than just simple green or scotch bright pads. Look up references for aluminum mag polishing online. It involves sanding and then progressively lighter polishing to get there.

interpon

correct, that is in the thread posted…op was referring to inside of wheel in pic..i would start with scotchbrite and aggressive cleaner..but again as posted by others..unkown what front looks like and or painted including spokes will get damaged with acid. IN fact the coating on wheels, if its still there should be treated like the hood of your car for chemical resistance.

bmotojoe

The original 75-77 YJ8 wheels were not completely polished like later years.
The only polished portion of the wheel was the front outer band.
It is almost impossible to replicate that brushed appearance once you do start polishing the wheel.
The backside was not polished.

Now for the back side of the wheel, My suggestion if you have a decent air compressor picking up one of the small hand held gravity feed blasters, harbor freight has them about $20.00.https://www.harborfreight.com/21-oz-...gun-95793.html
Costco has baking soda in large bags, expect using several bags for 4 wheels.
You can try putting the wheel in a large plastic storage container to recycle some of the soda.
I wouldn't reuse soda that was swept up off the ground.
90-100 psi on the gun will give you a nice clean finish using the baking soda on BACK SIDE only...

bmotojoe

75-77 wheels were not clear coated or protected.
Just Aluminum.....

panther-19

I used some Flitz metal polish. ACE hardware sells it.