2thousand5.4

I scored a set a 18x10 weld forged cheyenne 5s today for $350! They look to be in good shape, just same slight scratches and obviously filthy. I have never worked on forged wheels before. Where should I start? 1000 grit wet sand? I polished this one for about 3 minutes and it came out awesome. Do you have any tips? I want these to look mint

jhelrey

Look on CL for someone that does metal polishing on big rigs. They do great work and usually are mobile.

2thousand5.4

I thought about that but it will probably be pretty pricey since there will have to be some sanding done too. I'm not in a hurry to get them done since I have to get new tires too since my current ones are for 17s. I'd like to learn how to restore wheels too been playing with this one for a little bit

chickenwire

I've seen people do amazing work with 1k grit and then 1.5k, etc. ending up with polishing. It's all time and patience working your way to finer and finer polishes or compounds. I commend you if you have the patience - I'd like to think i have it also but I know better!

2thousand5.4

I decided to give it a shot, pressure washed the wheels off the other day and got all the brake dust and wheel weight adhesives off. Turned out there where scratches deeper than I thought in them. I got one sanded down, went 320 grit in spots, then 400 over the whole wheel. I'll do a wet 600 tonight and keep working my way up. I got sandpaper from 320-5000. Gonna take a few weeks to finish them all. I have only started one wheel so far. I still haven't decided what polish to go with. I have heard good stuff about extreme and white Dimond. The stuff I got from advanced auto doesn't seem to good. I forgot the name of it, it's in a blue short bottle tho. I want these to be a mirror finish. I have at least another 3 hours if not more left to do in this wheel. I'll post pics when it's done. If it comes out good I'll do the rest

2thousand5.4

Making progress. Got this wheel up to 800 grit. Also polished the lip just for ****s and giggles and I was not disappointed. Just waiting on my 1000-5000 grits to come in and better polish

Merlin

It's looking much better so far.
I'm looking forward to seeing the progress and finished wheels.

2thousand5.4

Thanks hopefully the end of next week I'll have them done. The crack in one still concerns me a little tho

2thousand5.4

In a little bit of a wierd spot. Got the lip of one sanded to 3000 and polish and its dullish. Here it is vs a wheel I havnt touched. At first I used blue magic polish them mothers billet and it still has a dull hue to it. What did I do wrong? I think it looked better after 800 grit and polish other than the scratches from the 800 grit, but it was definitely more reflective

hobolabo

Not stealing the thread just wanting to assist all polished aluminum lovers.
Has anyone ever used clear lacquer spray for aluminum, copper or brass on polished aluminum before?
I've used it on brass but never aluminum, its like 12$ for a 12 oz spray can and definitely not just ordinary clear lacquer since I've tried it on copper and no comparison between the two.
I'm wanting to spray my new valve covers and hopefully prevent tarnish over the long haul.
I know there is a coating of a sort on wheels, hopefully its of the same type.
Your 2 cents, if none I'm going to give it a try and hope it wasn't a big mistake.