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Cleaning aluminum rims...?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Hanadarko, Oct 4, 2010.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Oct 4, 2010 #1
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    I'm looking for some advice to clean my 6 aluminum rims. They are rather oxidized but not pitted. I also have a really bad rust 'rain' stain down the driver's side stack from a crappy STEEL clamp higher up. Once I clean the rust off, I will replace that clamp with a S/S one. I tried CLR and Flitz on the rust and it didnt seem to touch it.

    So, any recommendations on some cleaner that is readily available and not outrageously priced like the stuff at KW? - I dont have any professional buffing tools but looking at the rust on my stack is my #1 thing to fix.
    This weekend I have nothing mechanical to fix (for once) and felt it was time to pay attention to my stacks and rims, and could use some tips.

    Thanks! :biggrin_25514:
     
    Hanadarko, Oct 4, 2010
    Hanadarko, Oct 4, 2010
    #1
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  3. Oct 4, 2010 #2
    Ken

    Ken Couch Commander

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    I use Zephyr Pro 40 for polish..

    Try some 0000 steel wool on the rust..
     
    Ken, Oct 4, 2010
    Ken, Oct 4, 2010
    #2
    Hanadarko Thanks this.
  4. Oct 4, 2010 #3
    droy

    droy Heavy Load Member

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    If you have some at home, try charcoal starter..... yeah, the stuff you use to fire up the ole Bar-B-Que pit. I was told that it is the base of several different brands of aluminum polishes. Honestly, I have never tried it, as I am NOT a polish people....(person?), but the guy who told me this works at local parts house, and hasn't steered me wrong yet.
     
    droy, Oct 4, 2010
    droy, Oct 4, 2010
    #3
  5. Oct 4, 2010 #4
    Truckernurse

    Truckernurse Light Load Member

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    Sep 21, 2010
    Jacksonville, Florida
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    Blue Magic! Just be careful, it has ammonia, and rivals Vick's Vaporub for sinus clearing!
     
    Truckernurse, Oct 4, 2010
    Truckernurse, Oct 4, 2010
    #4
  7. Oct 5, 2010 #5
    Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Put a stiff cloth wheel on your buffer or grinder and use that Zephyr stuff that Ken mentioned. Make sure the wheel stays wet with the stuff. It'll clean and polish like nobodys business. I've got some before and after pictures around, I'll see if I can find them and post them here.
     
    Gears, Oct 5, 2010
    Gears, Oct 5, 2010
    #5
  8. Oct 5, 2010 #6
    Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    Don't waste your time with the polish until you burn them with acid first. You can buy aluminum brighter at most truck/trailer dealers by the gallon. Spray it on with a weed sprayer or put it on with a wash brush and scrub the junk off. Then it'll be WAY easier to polish since you have less oxidation to remove by hand. Oh and try to keep it off your skin, it will burn and dry the hell out of your hands.
     
    Jfaulk99, Oct 5, 2010
    Jfaulk99, Oct 5, 2010
    #6
    billandlori Thanks this.
  9. Oct 5, 2010 #7
    RW.

    RW. Heavy Load Member

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    A Mothers Powerball in a drill works great for buffing wheels. When it gets gummed up with the black oxidation, you can just wash it out with dish detergent and its almost as good as new again.
     
    RW., Oct 5, 2010
    RW., Oct 5, 2010
    #7
  10. Oct 5, 2010 #8
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    I picked up some of this to try...I love their rim brake dust/crap cleaner spray..it works instantly.

    I dont like the idea of charcoal starter...anything that has a flash point like that scares the hell out of me. My old man still uses gasoline to clean things and I just won't....one spark of static electricity or anything and I become a piece of TOAST :biggrin_2556:
     
    Hanadarko, Oct 5, 2010
    Hanadarko, Oct 5, 2010
    #8
  11. Oct 5, 2010 #9
    Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    Once you get them polished, use Mothers Wax on them and keep them waxed and you wont have that problem. I kept a Pete in new conditiona for 4 yrs, 430,000 mi. by waxing a litlle everytime I stopped, using pam on the parts that got hit by bugs and washing at least once every 10 days. I cant stand a dirty truck and take my shoes off when I get in, drive in my socks or slippers. Its my home.

    We live in a society where pizza gets to your house before the police.
     
    Passin Thru, Oct 5, 2010
    Passin Thru, Oct 5, 2010
    #9
  12. Oct 5, 2010 #10
    Hanadarko

    Hanadarko Independent Owner/Operator

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    HA :biggrin_25523: !

    I mean that's funny...but it's not...

    I plan on spending most of sat/sun this weekend on her. Get the #### rust off of the driver's stack and shine my rims up. I need a new exhaust clamp but not sure of the size yet...KW is open Saturday at least-
     
    Hanadarko, Oct 5, 2010
    Hanadarko, Oct 5, 2010
    #10
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