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polishing semi truck wheels need help


sandman661

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ok guys i got a new project . i got a brand new kenworth and im going to be polishing my wheels  on my truck. So i found out that 2 of my front wheels are clear coated and the 4 in the back (super singles) are polished aluminum . so im going to buy metal polish 1 and 2 . so my question is what are the steps to take on the clear coated ones and and non clear coated wheels. and what kinda of sealant can i put on all of them to make them last since they will be driven everyday. No snow or salt to worry about im only in CA.  thanks for any advise, i will post pics tomorrow of everything.

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I will get some before and after pics. yea.... Wheels first then fuel tank, stack,toolbox etc..... Its going to be hard to do since I'm driving it everyday. Is there a faster way of polishing then by hand ? I see the 4" pads that go on the drill from Adams but can I use something else like a DA ?

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sry everyone for the late reply I been so busy it's not even funny. so here's a few pics of my wheels . so some guy at a truck wash used heavy duty degreaser with acid in it. and look what it did to my wheels. is anything I can do to fix it or do I need to take it too get repolished?

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Those to me look like they will need to be polished again with MP #1 and MP #2, and followed up with some Quick Sealant.  I haven't had any vehicles come my way with wheels in that kind of shape, but I would think they should clean up. 

 

Here's a quick example of what MP #1 and MP #2 can do with some #0000 steel wool assisting, when I began polishing the brake lines on my GTO:

 

20140524_211906_zps3840cd9e.jpg

Edited by psu goat
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Those to me look like they will need to be polished again with MP #1 and MP #2, and followed up with some Quick Sealant.  I haven't had any vehicles come my way with wheels in that kind of shape, but I would think they should clean up. 

 

Here's a quick example of what MP #1 and MP #2 can do with some #0000 steel wool assisting, when I began polishing the brake lines on my GTO:

 

20140524_211906_zps3840cd9e.jpg

yea I was wondering if MP#1 and 2 are going to do the job. Adam stated in his video that a more aggressive polish would be needed for harsher wheels.

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Tough to tell from the pictures of the wheels, but I'd try MP #1 followed up with MP #2 first. It could just be some dried on cleaner left on the wheel surface, or oxidation left by the chemical action of the cleaner.

It doesn't appear there's any scratches or major damage, so my guess is it won't be like starting all over again and you should be able to take care of this yourself.

 

Please report back how you make out.

High polish raw forged aluminum wheels are like a second job!

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When I drove OTR, I use to polish my wheels my self also.  It was a pain, but when I was at a truck stop or customer setting, I would break out the water bottle and polish.  I used some brand from the trucks stops, way before I know anything about Adams or any other top notch polish.   
Then I got a new truck, Volvo 770.  It came with all Aluminum's and they were fully polished,  I hit the local streakin-beekin truck wash and they did not cover the wheels and yes they use acid in the wash,,  It is a aluminum brightener.  and my wheels looked the same as your photo.  
Lot of hard work wasted.  I ended up going to a pro polishing shop, since I did not have the time to do it.  It takes alot of time to get those things shiny... 
then I maintained them again, making sure they always got covered when washing.  
It may take quite a few passes.  I would even invest in a polisher and use a rouge bar to get it down,, then hit with the MP 1 and 2.   Just a thought.  Trying to insert a photo hope it works of how mine came out using the rouge then metal polish.  Alot of time did I say that!!!!!!

put 2 phots one darker 

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Edited by GaryW
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sandman661, on 28 Dec 2014 - 11:17 AM, said:

sry everyone for the late reply I been so busy it's not even funny. so here's a few pics of my wheels . so some guy at a truck wash used heavy duty degreaser with acid in it. and look what it did to my wheels. is anything I can do to fix it or do I need to take it too get repolished?

Those should polish up fine, some mp and some elbow grease, it will prolly take a couple times over to get the results. The power cone and ball are useful as well, as is the 4" focus pad on a drill or the porter cable.

 

And the next time you take it to a truck wash tell them NO brightener(acid)!!!

 

It's been awhile since I've been out there, but in Barstow there's a pretty good truck wash call Three Sisters.

 

When I was otr I used to go down by Eloy,AZ. at the end of winter and have some of the locals polish my wheels. 

 

Now I do this:

 

IMG_20140813_155153336_zps115c7eff.jpg

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