Sanded and Polished My Rims (Big Pics)

[RedlineRacer]

I spent like 20 hours wet sanding and polishing my rims. I think they turned out pretty good. I'll let you decide.
Before
http://japps.hypermart.net/DSCN0439.JPG
After
http://japps.hypermart.net/DSCN0469.JPG

[NiteKids]

to be honest....the 20 hours didn't do much

[hookedup240]

sorry but they look the same to me. And btw i wouldn't have done all that work on the stock rims, not really worth it IMO.

**I know some like to keep their cars stock looking and clean. So please don't flame me, just stating my opinion

[RedlineRacer]

yeah, the pics don't do it justice. In person, you can tell a huge difference. They look almost like chrome rims, just not quite that shiney. I think if I took the picture around noon time instead of around sunset it might look better.

[RedlineRacer]

The main reason I did it was to get rid of some curb scars. You can tell by the first pic how bad it was. Right now I am saving for a SR, so I don't want to spend money on rims yet.

[scandalcat1]

i think you did a great job. i have seen stock rims that look like crap all battered and bruised.

[Bill Roberts]

Mine have that plastic cover over the lugs. If I did anything to mine, the plastic piece would look a different color. On 1989 Stock 6.5 Aluminium 15 inchers, all those holes are a bitch to keep clean.

I found some "super clean" purple rim cleaner that works pretty good but you can spend hours on those holes and never get them perfect, especially around the valve stem.


PS, If you EVER get rid of that little foam spoiler and plug the holes, I want it! Willing to pay and our cars are the same color too. I would much rather have your rims, like I say above, mine are a pain to keep clean.


My Hatch is rusting through. I want to keep it like it came from the dealer. I also wonder of an S-14 spoler would look ok....but probably look Ghettoed as folks would know I had an S-14 spoiler on a 13. I would be sited for rice.

[AceInHole]

what did you use to polish?? I found that "super fine" steel wool does an excellent job of giving a metalic surface a "mirror-like" shine.

[THX1138]

The angle and lighting changes don't let whatever difference there is show up very well in the pics, but it should look pretty good. Did you swap the clear front lenses at the same time?

Saving up for an SR, eh? That's it, Brian. Your car is now officially SeXy Sadie's evil twin.

[RedlineRacer]

Originally posted by THX1138
The angle and lighting changes don't let whatever difference there is show up very well in the pics, but it should look pretty good. Did you swap the clear front lenses at the same time?

Saving up for an SR, eh? That's it, Brian. Your car is now officially SeXy Sadie's evil twin.

Yeah, I got to work a little more if I want to buy it. Like you said, its hard to see in those pics. I need to take some with more lighting. I changed the lenses a few weeks ago.

Bill Roberts: I am planning on buying a kouki type x spoiler and some other stuff if I don't buy the SR. So I will let you have my spoiler if I don't go with the SR.

AceInHole: I used 3M wetordry sandpaper. I started out with a 40 grit to get rid of the machining marks (the little tiny lines all around the rim that go in circles around the center of the wheel) and then worked up to 800 grit. Then, I used Mothers Mag polish and NeverDull.

[Bill Roberts]

Thanks dude, Let me know what it takes. (spoiler)

Also, MAN...you actually sanded away the machining grooves? WOW, you were not kidding about the 20 hours. I bet your forearms got a serious workout. Waxing the car will never be the same.

I see the difference. The before, you can see the scuffs, and they are whiter, after they are darker , like you say, almost chrome like.

One caveat: (potential problem)

You may need to have the clearcoated. Last time I did that same sort of thing to a set of aluminium rims, by doing so, I took off the "protective clear coat" that was on them and living on the beach (still live on the beach, salt air) they started pitting because the unprotected aluminium is raw and will quickly oxidize.

I am most afraid that this will happen now. No Joke.

Also, if you clearcoat them, you will have to take dishwashing detergent and remove all the polish first.

Believe me, I think you may have a problem but I sincerely hope not.

Aluminium oxidizes like a$$ unprotected. Kinda like the trim on a boat after a few weeks, looks bad if not protected.

I wish you well and look forward to finding out if you get a new spoiler and want to sell yours to me.

I either got to buy a new hatch, or get this one completly filled in with fiberglass resin and redone. I got a rat sized hole under the spoiler, No joke.

Getting damned tired of vaccuming the wheel well (spare) out and drying it all out and waxing in there to keep it cherry.

We are getting daily rains now in the tropics.

:eek: :eek:

[Bbandit]

i can see the difference actually..
the first pic: wheels didnt make any reflections.. just lights and stuff

second pic: wheels did make reflections of your driveway

good job!
i bet you arms look like popeye's now.. but oh well.. its well worthed.. and im pretty sure it looks a lot shinier in person

[RedlineRacer]

Tomorrow I will get a upclose pic of a rim. You will be able to see how smooth it is without the machine grooves. Clearcoating, you mean the same clearcoating for painting? I'll check into that. A guy at my church owns a great body shop. I might have him do it.

[elevator]

You did a really nice job. They are well done and do look better.

It is just that I don't particularly like stock Silvia/180/240 rims.