Now that my S-lites are replaced by steelies and winter tires, I'm thinking of polishing up my s-lites .... I mean REALLY POLISHING them chrome like.

Anyone done this or anyone with a reason why I shouldn't?

Paul

 

I had been thinking about getting my stock wheels chromed. Polishing would be less expensive, but (they are aluminum, right?) aluminum without a finish doesn't stay shiny. I think that without either anodizing or painting (could be clear, I guess), it gets a layer of whitish, powdery looking stuff on it. I think its a form of corrosion, but not near as damaging as the corrosion on steel.

 

I was thinking of clear coating them after

Paul

 

Just noticed from your sig that you are, or were(?) a sailor. I was for years (handicap 25'-35', Flying Scot, 420, Sunfish, & cruising) 'til life grabbed all my time (I swore that would NEVER happen, but it did). I think if you clear-coat the wheels, it ought to work out. How are you thinking about (a) removing the paint and (b) doing the polishing?

Keep us posted if you do this, I think a how-to and progress photos would be great.

 

Only a club sailer, but a pretty agressive one until my lower back couldn't handle any more. Adrift, turtle for 4 hours, half a mile from shore with your back muscles in total spasm did it for me.

I was thinking of using scochbrite (green rough stuff used in the kitchen) and work on it slowly over the winter months. We've got bead blasting kit at work if it takes too long. Then slowly polish using metal polish.

 

Ahh, yes, the glimpse of mortality that brings us to our senses. I had my own version of that, too.

Your project sounds really reasonable to me, given that you are allowing yourself plenty of time. One advantage of having winter wheels. I don't think I would have time to follow that method while my car is being repaired, but that is the only reason I would not attempt it. Good luck - and post pics in the spring.

 

Hmmm, polish my "they ain't heavy they're my S-lites". First with a coarse steel wool and then work down to very fine and top off with a clear coat. Sounds pretty cool! Thanks for the idea-er.

My current wheels are half polished alum with clear coat and the other half powder coated black. Not too shabby if I do say so myself and I do.

 

It will take forever to remove the powder coating with steel wool and Skotchbrite. You can have the wheels abrasive blasted using a number of different types of media like walnut shells, ground corn cob, etc. The right abrasive will remove the powder without affecting the aluminum substrate. Then have the wheeles polished and clear coated. A clear powder should be the most durable.

 

A can of "aircraft remover" or similar paint remover should dissolve the paint right off the wheels (no, don't spray it near the car).

Better living through chemistry That way you could get right to polishing the aluminum with a felt wheel.

 

Be careful using the aircraft remover, it will burn your skin! Nitril gloves work pretty good. (If you need to remove anodizing, Easy Off oven cleaner works wonders!) You can use high pressure water to get the stripper goop off. Wet sand with 600 then 1000 and finally with 1500 grit sandpaper. Start off with a felt wheel and white polish, like Mother's, then finish off with a softer wheel and Simichrome polish. Clearcoat with a good paint like Dupont Imron (500S) or their Nason product.

This is my method and it works out really well!

 

Thanks a lot for sharing your process!

 

Honestly just saw the thread and was hoping to find pics of polished S-lites in the first post, I say got for it

 

Isn't there a clear powdercoating you could do?

 

Ok winter's pretty much over everywhere...where are those S-lites you've been polishing?!

 

Picture? We're waiting....

 

DON'T DO IT!!

I recently inquired at a local chrome shop that is does everything for Harley Davidson and even engineered a MINI wheel there!!

I got this reply regarding chroming my S-Lites:

"The problem is, the painted version of this wheel (the one you have) is not meant to be plated and tests have shown that the wheel can crack and fail when used after it's plated. This has, in fact, happened already in California by someone who tried to do the same thing as you. Chrome plating a wheel affects the integrity of the wheel if it isn't engineered to be plated."

 

ummmm maybe i missed something....but the original poster isnt talking about plating his wheels....just the opposite. He's actually polishing the rims

Polishing= nice classy look
Chrome wheels= cheap and gaudy

 

I don't have any tips, but there was a MCSC at AMVIV with a set of the "Bullet" 5-spokes that were polished (not chromed), and they looked SHARP! I'd love to see a set of polished S-lites.