Is there a certain way to buff out aluminum rims to make them shine like chrome?

Question

Hello my husbands a OTR truck driver and just got a new Peterbuilt it has all aluminum wheels when he goes down south he sees alot of sweet trucks with there rims polished and they look chrome theres truck stops down there where guys will do it but it aint cheap like 25 a rim does anyone know how it done and what they use when hes home for the weekends me and my som want to suprise him and do itfor him while hes gone shopping for a while or something like that Thanks for your help

Answer 1

You'll need a right angle grinder and round disc polishing wheel. Get some Emory or the most course metal polishing rouge you find and apply the rouge to the polishing wheel. Then work for a long time on each wheel with emory or course rouge till they start to shine then use a jewlers rouge and work another long time till they shine like chrome.

The $25 is cheap compared to the time and work to do this at home. I did the aluminum wheels on my P/U and it took 2 days, so imagine how long it will take for the big semi wheels

Answer 2

Sounds like six very large wheels depending how much pitting and salt those rims have seen it might take hours. Try several pep boys auto zone walmart, spray on hose off wheel cleaning products. Consumer grade products dont have enough acid in them to etch the aluminum clean. One thought ask the people whose trucks rims are shiny and what they use to keep there alunminum tankers shiny as a mirror.

Answer 3

There is a product call ouater pronounced "Water". Check out a rim or auto accessory store. Last time I checked it came in a tin container shaped like the old band-aid tin. It is pink colored cotton inside the tin, this is what makes those rims sparkle. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

SUPER MAN has the best answer so far, and suggests the BEST WAY to do it! This is NOT a job for any product you'd find at Wal-mart or Pep boys! Go to the truck stop to buy the jewelers rouge. It is hard work and takes several hours. If he paid to get it done the first time y'all could keep it up for him when he is home.

Answer 5

best answer to SuperMan.

i polished an intake manifold (rough casting to shiny aluminum) for a 454, i had over 22 hours into it and it still wasnt finished. i had spent probaly $100 in materials and supplies and i already had to tool to do it. $25 is dirt cheap.
i ended up just sending it out to get Ceramic coated.

Answer 6

use a porduct called Nevr-Dull it is a polish that is safe for all metals & even removes rust. it is a cotton wadding with a cleaner in it. it comes in a can & is made by Eagle One

Answer 7

they sell chrome sprays at autozone and pepboys but it looks bootleg as hell, better off getting actual chrome.

Answer 8

try "bar keepers friend" its real great, and doesnt scratch go to any grocery store.......... use it like a scrub

Answer 9

Hope this helps!