The Aluminum Rims on my 1985 34' Limited are really dirty and rough. I have been trying to clean them up to look new again but I can't get through the blotchy spots, seems nothing can clean them. Any advice, as I want to bring them back to new looking.
We were just at the factory. If you call the factory they have a three step cleaner polisher and preserver made for the alcoa rims. Either give them a call or go to airstream.com and in the store section you will see the product they recommend.
good luck
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-Life is a journey, not a destination.
Aerosmith
Are the rims clearcoated? Are the "spots" actually corrosion? If both answers are yes, then you need to strip off the clear, polish out the corrosion - which may be deep, so you can't get it all - and reapply a clearcoat. Or you could have a place like this do it for you, although new wheels might be cheaper!
Fair warning. Some of these no touch tire and rim cleaners and ALL of the stuff at the local power was are a acid based to cause the dirt to release. Most of it is not aluminum or paint friendly. I have a Honda accord in my driveway that was never washed by hand, always at the carwash and as a result it needs a paint job. Same thing happens with rims reguardless of clear coat or not.
Always use a product for car washing like Wax Wash by turtle wax and elbow grease if you want stuff to last. Do not use dish soap. It strips away wax and polishes.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
The Aluminum Rims on my 1985 34' Limited are really dirty and rough. I have been trying to clean them up to look new again but I can't get through the blotchy spots, seems nothing can clean them. Any advice, as I want to bring them back to new looking.
Rob
I used Klean Stripper to remove clear coat, 3M scotch bright pads to get the rough spots and Mothers aluminum polish with a Mothers power ball. Took 4 days to do 4 wheels to mirror finish.
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