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Polishing aluminum slots

f8-4life

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I am taking the time to restore a set of aluminum slots for my roadrunner.
Between sanding, wet sanding, polishing, taping and painting the inserts..
well they are taking a decent effort to get done.
They are looking like a million bucks now, but I am concerned that if I don't clear coat them, they may re oxidize over time.
Question I have is how long will they look great before they go down hill.
Car would be a summer driver.

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I am taking the time to restore a set of aluminum slots for my roadrunner.
Between sanding, wet sanding, polishing, taping and painting the inserts..
well they are taking a decent effort to get done.
They are looking like a million bucks now, but I am concerned that if I don't clear coat them, they may re oxidize over time.
Question I have is how long will they look great before they go down hill.
Car would be a summer driver.

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I'd recommend checking your local area for a reputable powder coater and ask them about clear powder coating.
 
i believe that you can white shoe polish them and that will protect them. never did it myself
 
Keep a good polish every once in while on them and they should look like that forever.
 
an old timer used aqua net womens hair spray between shows to keep his mags polished . it washed off with soap n water .
 
Finished out these in a 600 wet sand.
Then used mothers on a powerball/drill to final polish.

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Nice, I was up to 2000 with mine to clean them up (that I originally bought in '79! and have never really cleaned correctly) and then cleared them with Tremclad clear "anti-tarnish".

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I would not put clear on them after all the work you have done. The water gets under it eventually and it goes all spidery and oxidised. It does take a while however.
My advice is leave them polished aluminium as you have them and periodically I use a product called Autosol which is a fine polishing compound.
I used to wash my wheels and around every two years take them off and give them a hand polish with Autosol.
 
If you clean and shine them occasionally they will stay nice.
 
You might also consider one of the metal preservation products on the market. I have some experience with a product called "Everbrite".
Mike
 
I'd recommend checking your local area for a reputable powder coater and ask them about clear powder coating.


I disagreed with you on this only because the OP indicated he had already painted the inserts. The powder will not adhere where the paint is, and curing the clear topcoat will destroy his efforts.

I suggest checking into the ceramic clear coats available from NICIndustries.com.
 
Finally an expert answer. Listen to her boys. Blade had told me if you want them you have got to polish them. I like this approach much better.
 
I disagreed with you on this only because the OP indicated he had already painted the inserts. The powder will not adhere where the paint is, and curing the clear topcoat will destroy his efforts.

I suggest checking into the ceramic clear coats available from NICIndustries.com.
By "inserts" I was under the impression he meant center caps.
At $60/pint I'm not certain Ceracoat is a road the OP want's to go down. Definitely an excellent product though!
 
Thanks for all the insight here.. I am thinking to leave them raw and give them a semi annual polish, while keeping an eye on deteriation. Sounds like they will hold up ok.
 
Thanks for all the insight here.. I am thinking to leave them raw and give them a semi annual polish, while keeping an eye on deteriation. Sounds like they will hold up ok.

I polish my wheels with mothers than I apply 3 coats of a good car wax such as meguiars Gold Class.

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By "inserts" I was under the impression he meant center caps.
At $60/pint I'm not certain Ceracoat is a road the OP want's to go down. Definitely an excellent product though!

I haven't followed up with him yet but @abodyjoe may have some input here. We talked awhile back about preserving his polishing efforts on some wheels he had; I thought the trial size might be enough to do all four (a little bit goes a LONG way). Did you have a chance to try it out yet Joe??
 
not yet. i have everything here to do it though.. i did buy tires so now i have to get off my *** and coat the wheels so i can get the tires mounted..:).. i'll update ya when i do it..

i even bought a sample of their high temp coating that a friend is gonna try on an alumn intake and see how it holds up..


stuff i bought for the wheels. well worth the money if it holds up like @CudaChick1968 says.. i follow her work so i trust her word on it..: https://www.clearcoating.com/products/MC-160/

can't find the receipt but i think this is what i bought for the intake.. https://www.clearcoating.com/products/MC-157/
 
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I've had a lot of aluminum wheels over the years. What works for me is keeping them out of the weather (sun and rain) as much as possible, as in garaging your ride, and occasional maintenance with Nevr-Dull, which is cotton wadding saturated with a mild chemical cleaner. It comes in a metal tin, works fast and is really easy to use. Almost any parts store will carry it. For aluminum that has been neglected, Mothers is my favorite. I've tried various clear coats over the years but have never been happy with the results. They all seem to start peeling, some sooner than others, then you have the fun job of removing it and starting over, Yuck...
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I would not clear coat them. How many times have you seen wheels that look cloudy on a factory car 3 to 5 years old. It will happen. Aluminum can to polished again and again and look great. The last thing you want is to start all over again .Imo. been there, gone that, got a t-shirt.
 
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