Bought some Wheels;

[RUSTY50F1]

Well I bought a set of old style slots on ebay; Fronts are 6 3/4x14 Rears are 10x15. They need to be cleaned. Whats good way to clean them. I've heard to use acid,water mix, I think they have been polished but not very good. Any advice?

 

[gassersgarage]

I got some used slots and had them professionally polished. Came out looking like chrome, then I painted inside the slots black. I ran them on a 68' Vette back in the 70's. Another guy I know used Mothers chrome polish. It took awhile, but the came out just as good.

 

[garvinzoom]

I would not use acid, too risky IMO. Just get some good polish, a case of your favorite beverage and get rubbing.

 

[Gastrick]

Those will look nice. It sounds like you went in a different direction than the wheels you were looking at. If you have the time, and son't mind the efforet, you can just get some aluminum polish and go after it. It's going to take some time and be plenty of work though.

 

[Mr.Gussett]

Clean!

I have used "MOTHERS" aluminum acid spray and it works great.Wet rim and then spray with mothers,let sit for 15 min. and rinse.
I don't know if they still sell it for it has been years since I have used it.I know that "MOTHERS" would be the ones to look for and maybe even a powerball buffer like Chip Foose advertises.

 

[HOT40ROD]

If they are real bad you can sand them starting with 1000grit and move up to 1500 or higher then polish them. Try the back side first to see if you like it. did that with a lot of old aluminum parts.

 

[chopper tom]

I polish mine at car shows and cruise ins ,it gives me some thing to do .
Weinoil is some great polish ,first the orange then the blue.
But thats why i love 5 slots ,you can leave them out in the weather for years and just polish them right up.Their awsome!
I wonder if i could use ''radir'' lug nutz and center caps with them?
Anyone know?

 

[timbo]

I used the Mothers polishing ball on my polished centerlines and the look great. I alwaysed had rubbed them but it would leave a dull shine and real fine scratches. With the ball, the wheels look better than they ever did. And its a lot easier on your arm and less time polishing means more time cruising .
Tim

 

[harleyboy]

Red paint

I painted the slots that are going on my truck. These were chrome and kinda rusty and peeling. I sandblasted them, primed them and painted. I won't have to worry with them anymore. I've got polished wheels on a 80 Vette and I use a powerball and mothers or Flitz. It's a lot of work, but they look good when done. HB
Sandblasted

Primed

Painted. Don't mind the painted tires they are rollers till I get everything done.

 

[RoddingRon]

If they're aluminum, I wouldn't be afraid to take some sandpaper to them to start the process. I've already started with 320 wet sanding on some really rough wheels and then like Hot40Rod said move up to 1000 and on up to 1500 to get them ready for polishing with mothers or whatever brand you choose. It takes some time and some work, but it's worth it if you want them to shine

 

[RUSTY50F1]

I bought some aluminum cleaner in a spray bottle and cleaned them, Turned out very good for now. Thanks fellas for all the ideas. That's what's great about this place, no such thing as a dumb question.

 

[garvinzoom]

I painted the slots that are going on my truck. These were chrome and kinda rusty and peeling. I sandblasted them, primed them and painted. I won't have to worry with them anymore. I've got polished wheels on a 80 Vette and I use a powerball and mothers or Flitz. It's a lot of work, but they look good when done. HB
Sandblasted

Primed

Painted. Don't mind the painted tires they are rollers till I get everything done.

Hey harleyboy, not trying to be a jerk but those are not slots. Those are steel wheels in your pictures. Here is a pic of a slot..