I recently got a set of GMC wheels that I wanted to polish up. So here is what I started with. The wheels were in great shape, but just like everthing GM makes it needs a little something extra.

BEFORE



I first stripped the clearcoat off of the wheel and center caps with aircraft stripper found at the auto parts store. Then I wet sanded the wheels and Center cap with the following grits in order
220, 400, 800, 1000, 1500. Then I used some Red Rouge w/ a drill attachement to get a mirror like finish. I still need to get a Mothers Power ball and some billet polish to finish them off, but that is another trip to the auto store and a few days away. 1 down 3 togo. Here is the semi-finished product.

AFTER



Oh and in case anyone is wondering the center caps are aluminum not plastic. There is a plastic backing that the aluminum attaches to. I tested out a chevy center cap, you can see the bottom right part of the center cap has been stripped and polished.



So both gmc and chevy center caps are both made out of aluminum...

Enjoy, thanks for looking.

 

DANG MAN!!! that looks awesome!

 

Thanks, the pictures don't really show a good finish, but it actually has a good finish. I will post up pics of them on the truck when I get finished with all of them.

 

Fck! Wish I hadn't sold my stockers now!

 

Great job, man...that looks great! Just curious, how long did it take for one wheel after you stripped the clear?

 

Those look really good...be sure to keep up with the maintenance on them so they don't oxidize and pit! Are you going to seal them or clear coat them somehow?

 

Hmm, I might have to try this on one of my screwed up ARE's this winter.

 

it took probably 3-4 hours. The main effort was the first 220 grit pass, because removing all the machine/tool marks was hard. After that everything was a breeze. One note, when using the rouge/compound you want to generate heat in order for it cut correctly. So once you start only stop to reload the buffing attachment.

I have thought about sealing them with ZoopSeal if I can get some opinions from people who have used it. I am not going to spend $100 if it is not worth it.

Clear coat might be an option, but I only have access to regular automotive Clear coat. I am not sure what the manufacturer uses, I am thinking it is a different type, cause when I was removing it, it was really really thick.

 

Damn Corey, I never knew those wheels could look that damn good. Glad you were able to make good use of them.

 

i was wanting to do this to the stock alloys on my '94 chevy but i have plastic centercaps so it wouldnt work. Looks great by the way.