GTA Wheel cleaning tips

[fastblackcar]

i've seen some gta wheels shine like chrome, so far i have sandblasted , sanded up to 1200 water , got a nice shine, then polished with mothers aluminum polish for hours just to make it worse, this polish keeps pulling the impurities from the aluminum ive got now 3 hours and 2 cans of this sh#t on 1 wheel and improves very little, looks worse then when sanded @1200 water is ther anything that i can spray on these wheels to get most of the black off first,Im getting jerker's cramp almost ready to paint them, the ones on ebay look awesome, seller says 2 hours on each wheel!!! whats the trick???

 

[TurboBuRick]

i've seen some gta wheels shine like chrome, so far i have sandblasted , sanded up to 1200 water , got a nice shine, then polished with mothers aluminum polish for hours just to make it worse, this polish keeps pulling the impurities from the aluminum ive got now 3 hours and 2 cans of this sh#t on 1 wheel and improves very little, looks worse then when sanded @1200 water is ther anything that i can spray on these wheels to get most of the black off first,Im getting jerker's cramp almost ready to paint them, the ones on ebay look awesome, seller says 2 hours on each wheel!!! whats the trick???

You sure you got all the claer coat off? That does not sound right. Did you by these off ebay?

 

[fastblackcar]

yes, im positive the clear coat is all off i sand blasted the heck out of these, like i said the mothers is pulling the impurities from the aluminum out, must be a better way!!!

 

[TurboBuRick]

Well I had to do the same thing. They are kirbans but the aluminum should be the same. You can buy polishing wheels for a drill at Ace. That will speed it up. But even though you are doing by hand they should be improving. Here is a picture of mine. Its not a easy job thats for sure.

 

[TurboBuRick]

I just noticed your from Plattsburgh NY. I lived it AuSable Forks for a while back in highschool. Class of 89.

 

[fastblackcar]

i graduated from saranac in 88, pics look great maybe ill try a buffing whell thanx for the help
Tom

 

[Blazer406]

Are you sure those are GTA wheels? I have a set on mine.... and they don't look like that..... Enki (sp?) made a set that looked like GTA wheels......

Anyway.... sorry you are having alot of trouble getting them to look good. I bought a set that looked like new (had to pay through the nose to get them).... so I haven't messed with mine......

 

[turbo87regal]

Here is picture of mine. Wet sanded them all the way to 2000 grit then polished by hand using mothers. Its a real pain in the you know what but if you take your time you can get them to shine

 

[fastblackcar]

i was doing the job all by hand , a friend came over and used my die grinder with a polish wheel.................now thats easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TurboBuRick]

i was doing the job all by hand , a friend came over and used my die grinder with a polish wheel.................now thats easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta love power tools. Post some before and after pics.
Rick

 

[6-b-kwik]

so i can take my GTA wheels sand the alumiun ring part and buff to shine?? what grit do i start out at?? i would like to do this?but does the shine stay after polish or should i clear coat?? thxs greg

 

[turbojd]

I have the Kirban GNX look alike aluminum wheels also, I polished mine up to chrome just like Rick87GN did. The clearcoat was starting to wear off so I just spent hours polishing with mothers aluminum wheel polish to bring them up to look like chrome. I hit them with a quick polish every week or two because they are aluminum and will begin to oxidize. I would clearcoat them but I don't think there's any clear that would hold up and not yellow or peel.

 

[6-b-kwik]

I have the Kirban GNX look alike aluminum wheels also, I polished mine up to chrome just like Rick87GN did. The clearcoat was starting to wear off so I just spent hours polishing with mothers aluminum wheel polish to bring them up to look like chrome. I hit them with a quick polish every week or two because they are aluminum and will begin to oxidize. I would clearcoat them but I don't think there's any clear that would hold up and not yellow or peel.

very true!!! clear would turn yellow what grit sandpaper should i use!! i have 4 fronts gta wheels im sure they are all alumnium right??

 

[turbojd]

Start with a mild sandpaper or steel wool with enough bite to take off the clearcoat without digging into the aluminum too much and then pick your favorite aluminum polish and go at it and happy buffing!! but it'll be worth it when your done!!

 

[6-b-kwik]

started this project tonight!!! started sanding with 400 grit wet then hitting with 600 wet and doing a 3 stage buff man these things are getting nice only have one done so far but it will be worth it!!!!!!!!!1