How To Sand And Polish Aluminum Rim To Mirror Finish

[@Kris-mr7pf]

Dude, that an amazing job! I'm definitely going to give this a shot. Thank you for sharing this!

[@tommydoolittle8456]

That is badass I'm going to be doing my car just like that they need it seriously thank you for posting this video as it showed me the light on cleaning old dull aluminum rims

[@2ndborn186]

Thank you. Finally a video that gets to the point and tells every step of the way less than 4 1/2 minutes.

[@normanwells2755]

Moral of the story: select a rim with lots of large flat surfaces for demo videos.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Make your own video

[@normanwells2755]

Lol.@@TheRoadhammer379

[@jesseduffield8564]

Yes

[@mbt2732]

You made this seemingly complex task seem incredibly simple and effective, thank you!!!

[@gapinatti3982]

took me an hour of searching to find a quality video. Thank you, hopefully this can work on my corvette sawblade wheels

[@catsoandahalf]

Mine too!

[@michaelmaizuee5677]

So funny bro I’m in the same boat

[@martyjoseph9507]

Got the nastiest Wisconsin salt rims on a 22 year old SUV. Going to try this for fun and see how the shine blinds the buyer from all the rusty holes in the sheet metal.

[@chrisslaughter5552]

Let us know

[@JWSmythe]

hahaha

[@ProductionsofTCAS]

Marty, did it work?

[@martyjoseph9507]

@@ProductionsofTCAS yes, got all kinds of compliments. Things like "What a shame they're on such a beater" and "How did you do that?" as I had only done one every few weeks and they could see one that looked like pitted cement next to polished.

[@martyjoseph9507]

@@chrisslaughter5552 worked great

[@TerryIlousTV]

Great video, thank you - What about the holes how can one polish them?

[@flap0000]

You have to do them from the Inside Out, and then whoa, do it again, man.

[@pekoso1]

Of all the videos here, this is by the most simple, easy and fast method!! Thank you sir👏🏾

[@garychapman5481]

Thanks your video rocks. Some dudes at work use metal polish and paint thinner 50/50 with 100% cotton buffing wheel on a Milwaukee cordless. They come out like mirrors. I believe your method is better, the sand paper removes imperfections. A+ job

[@ricovelez4316]

The best polishing aluminum video ive seen made

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you very much for the kind words

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I agree

[@joshuarodriguez8142]

Great tips going outside to punish my aftermarket rims right now

[@jeffsherman438]

I have been working on a set of ,2 0 inch foose rims for about 7 hours now you try your way now I'll let you know how it worked out

[@froylanmiranda7362]

That's awesome work, the wheels on my mom's 96 Grand Cherokee Laredo are dull, oxidized etc,

[@JayyyJayyyy1]

This is the best detailed explanation I've received looking to do this on my three piece wheels and finally found the perfect video, thank you.

[@paulstrangers2943]

A labour of love indeed.

[@suzieq8379]

quickest best video on youtube

[@brianmire3252]

i have the same rims, watched a ton of videos that didn't help much, very informative and now know how to do mine to get the finish i am looking for thanks!!

[@dennishamrick7774]

What rims are those?

[@ikedee649]

Thats one of the best demonstrations of how to get the right result Ive seen. Perfect explanation and no nonsense approach. Great video my friend !

[@joeynelson1799]

looks like sanding in stages instead of heavy polisher is the way to go.nice job

[@joeysibande4621]

I was thinking the same thing

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Especially if you aren't experienced with using airway buffers, 6000rpm rotary tools, this process seems as good and almost foolproof.

[@rogeredwards4871]

You and DC SuperShine do the best iv'e seen so far but man your processes are different. He uses a 180 grit, 320, 400, 600 and then his polisher is a 6000 rpm grinder and he doesn't put any lubricants or cleaners on the rim, just white diamond metal polish at the end. cool though, i'm learning

[@apb38]

Flat style rims are way easier to clean and polish. Good video.

[@robertprice9052]

Nice work! I pickup old factory wheels for Jeeps and powder coat them and resale them. You do very good work!

[@robertprice9052]

Randy Bingham typing without spelling!😂

[@austinsonger388]

Man that's badass!!! Thanks. For sharing. Now let's see the hard part in the holes and the backside make the whole thing as beautiful! Lol great job man

[@austinsonger388]

Do u have to order those pads thru 3m or can u pick them up locally???

[@SkillsandTrade]

I'm sure you can find some locally. I order all mine through Amazon and I included links in the description if your interested

[@darrellbach6749]

Thanks for the tricks and tips most guys polish after 800 grit but I followed your steps on my mercedes alloy wheels and they look like chrome thank you.

[@keitharmstrong263]

A task that took patience, good thinking, little expence to a brilliant finish.👍

[@SiberianGoneInternational]

Seriously, this looks like magic to me!

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you! You are very kind, I really appreciate the kind words.

[@endofd-d7c]

Are u from Siberia

[@SiberianGoneInternational]

@@endofd-d7c yeah

[@robertcook9907]

Nice and short and I actually found something affordable

[@chefboiali]

Thank you for posting this! It really helped me have the courage to do this on one Weld Draglites.

[@SkillsandTrade]

Glad I could help!

[@barrelgardener7527]

Thanks, looking to do this for the first time on the service truck.

[@fasteddie4107]

Incredible outcome. You are an artist. Thanks for sharing this. Very informative.

[@randycordes464]

Great job on that wheel looks awesome

[@iamthemiracle81]

Straightforward and easy well done. Something worth considering is clear coating the rims afterwards. It makes them a lot easier to clean and maintain. Also if your rims are already clear coated you may have to strip away the clear coat before starting. They sell this stuff at autozone, advance, etc that is an aircraft stripper or something like that. Works great. Takes some elbow grease, but worth the effort if you like shining 🤙

[@hillbillyfun9665]

Very helpful thanks best video for this on here. Been doing mine the same way just no WD40 and only going 1000 grit. Thanks again.

[@Eddie510s]

Wet or dry ?

[@diddybuilt8330]

It's so many techniques out there it can drive you crazy , but there all good 👍🏾

[@bruceturek3412]

I got some Corvette trims that need a little love this is just what I was looking for thanks excellent vid

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

Exactly the video I needed. I have a set of alloy rims I want to recondition.

[@SkillsandTrade]

I'm glad it could help, good luck with your project!

[@jasonrobbins3001]

That's so sweet now i can do something about my rims thank u sharing that, awesome job u did on ur rims mahalo from da 808

[@garymaclean8608]

Was there clear coat on the rim when you started sanding with the 220? Great video

[@FluffedOutPink]

Not OP but it definitely didn't look like there was clear. I wet sanded my clear with 220 so the process shouldn't be to different.

[@ronmcallister1]

Very good vid... but I was hoping to see how you did all of the holes, or at least just one.

[@rendanschroeder6785]

Looks a mazing and it’s not even a high speed polish good work 👍🏼

[@sebastianrc5024]

Wow, great video. Will this be the same process if I need to repair nasty wheel curb rash?

[@benchod3576]

How did all that sanding did not remove chrome? Amazing job.

[@joeygunzilla6878]

😎Beautiful! I need those tools! I use other things but same result. That attachment is really simple. Thanks for the info. Great job! ✌🏻 Cheers from NY, USA 🇺🇸

[@gusto8585]

I've been sanding One rim by hand all weekend!! It has like three coats of clear coat!!! I didn't know you could use a Electric sander!!

[@TroyMaloney-y2s]

Nice job my friend keep rocking

[@dougkratz5269]

Very nice job bro. I was totally impressed that you used all those sanding steps. Most people get lazy and skip some of them. I have to admit though, I cringed when you used the paper towel at the end. Microfiber only! A paper towel can very easily leave scratches on that beautifully polished surface. Keep up the good work

[@SkillsandTrade]

+Doug Kratz Thank you very much. I will be sure and use a microfiber only from now on.

[@jinxbottleflip1942]

A paper towel will leave scratches after he just polished it with sand paper & steel wool? I was blown away by how awesome that wheel came out & as soon as the weather breaks here on the east coast I'll be heading out to the sand paper store and pulling the wheels off my old 95 F-250, great job, I look at another polish video and the guy just blabbed about how he he got his aluminum slots to shine but never actually showed you I fast forwarded through his entire video, I love how you got down to it & thoroughly showed your steps until you had the finished product, great job

[@lw2462]

Doug Kratz good show man.

[@rstanhope316]

Doug Kratz .I liked how it was quick & to the point..not a whole lot of Blah Blah Blah

[@robertkurtz7587]

Microfiber will leave marks as well - finally should be done with a cloth terry - Microfiber will put scratches right back in it -

[@victorhawk815]

Gread job ,I need alot more sandpaper. That's amazing,,crhrome bumpers need recromed aluminum s much more flexible with many l it is painstaking levels of shine.

[@paulkeenan1771]

Would you use a clear lacquer or just leave it ?

[@Paiadakine]

On another reply the author said the finish would last several months but would last longer with a cost of wax. Depends on your location I would think.

[@westtennesseeprepper2552]

Very nice job I polish harley wheels ill have to try this great l job

[@amzsohal6551]

Just followed your process on one of my wheels. Thank you so much.

[@AmritP]

amazing work mate

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you very much

[@gregramirez774]

Nice job with the rim and also video, great explanation and demonstration of the job.Both rare to see.

[@regenmeister9646]

Great Job ... looks easy on a Flat Surface ... what about a curved rim

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Same process, use a softer backing pad for the sandpaper, God it's like holding a child's hand

[@troublemaker2121]

Great job short and sweet!!!!

[@rickhudsonjames]

Good video I've seen a few others this is the best one so far

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you very much Richard. I'm happy to know you enjoyed it

[@facingkarma6349]

Thanks man , this video was just what I was looking for and that dam rim was beautiful!

[@davidroberts5577]

Awesome finished rim, thanks for the instructions.

[@CesarHuert1915]

WUZ NOT EXPECTING THE GREAT RESULTS NICE VIDEO OVER ALL💪💪💪💪WILL BE DOING IT SOON on my 99 powerstroke

[@toddsaunders1482]

Awesome video. Made it look so easy.

[@sicboy83]

Do u have to seal or clear coat it to protect the wheels? Great easy to follow video btw

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you. You don't have to use sealant if you don't want to, the polish has some sealant in it. However, it doesn't hurt, and will provide more protection. I have a link to some good sealant in my description

[@sicboy83]

@@SkillsandTrade ok thanks for the info!

[@caseypries7559]

I'd like to see the process on a wheel that isn't mostly flat such as the wheels on a dually.

[@paulaknolmayer8980]

Can you possibly advise the 3M products you had used? Any awesome job!!

[@standouglas1800]

Same procedure for aluminum wheels that are designed to not have the shiny finish?

[@leekindell9937]

looks great, i have a couple of spokes on my old M3 e46 alloy, it hads a bare alloy finish , no clear coat, can i just wet and dry then polish up those pitted areas. Also do you suggest a good protection coating...like PoorBoys sealant

[@mazdafiero112]

Very nice and I will do everything you did step by step.

[@Donovan_frost_bmx]

Wool pad and angle polisher with mother's aluminum polish, would take about 15 minutes. No need to sand unless deep scratches. Then you just spot sand. Well unless you are entering a show for money. I polished for 12 years.

[@MHL-518]

Thanks for posting. You would still need to remove the clear coat 1st, correct? Mine are not bad.

[@clerissonmesquita]

Thank you so much for your invaluable information, highly appreciate it, keep it up the outstanding job, have a great day.

[@ramzein776]

wd 40 is to be used only for first and last grits? or when we change each grit ?

[@fredtillman3050]

Great video for the do it yourselfer!

[@juicyignacio9662]

Thank you for this very informative video!

[@br748]

Rim looks good but What about inside the holes of the rim?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

omg... mother's powerball

[@itawad]

Thank you so much for this great video. I have one question: Can I use orbital sander ? and 2ndly: when you use the drill, how can you make sure the connection with the drill wont get loose frequently ?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

You tie the two cords together like tying shoelaces but without the bow, then plug the ends in

[@markharley7474]

Did you strip the factory clear coat first or sand it off with the first cut?

[@johnhealey1275]

Nice job I did not know that was possible. How something to protect that new finish ?

[@paulLonzo]

Do you spray anything on the wheels to provent it from rusting?? I'm about to try on my vehicle but don't want the wheels to rust with the bad salts and daily rain in my area..

[@bwguardian]

I'm trying to figure out how to polish 2 sets of factory wheels...one set for the wife's Excursion, and the other set for my F350. Don't the factory wheels have a clear coat on them? Your video is what I'm contemplating as the wheels aren't in that bad of shape...other than the scuffing and scratching like the wheel you did when you started.

[@notfrankjohnson]

I tried your method after watching the video. And I couldn't get the results you did. I probably missed something. I'll stick to my buffer pads and compound.

[@sfast8625]

That is badass probably the best method I have ever seen and I'm doing magnesium wheels on semi trucks I'll be getting set up to do this thanks for sharing man !!!

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thanks for the praise Steve, I appreciate it. Good luck with your wheels

[@TheRoadhammer379]

semi trucks DON'T have magnesium rims, DOT regulations... aluminium or steel.

[@the_Real_R3x]

Superb! You do some amazing things my friend.

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thanks Joey. I appreciate that

[@GunRunner3]

I don't want nitpick but shouldn't the holes be mirror polished as well?

[@noexperincerequired9825]

I'll ask again on a different video because hey, any engagement is good engagement as far as the algorithm is concerned, am I right..? So I love the polished metal brought to a mirror finish, and I've researched Aluminum clear coat products, but I was wondering if you could do a video on the application - what to do and what not to do, and long term results (say a follow up a year later) of the clear coat protection in various environments. Like in a garage as a control, on your roof to bake, in tub of salt water, whatever... The experiment I envision, (could get a lot of views) is to get a sheet of AL, cut it up into a bunch of coupons, polish em all to a mirror finish. Then keep a control without protection, and a various number of other coupons with competing products. You could do a whole series on Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Brass/Bronze (all the bling metals).

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you for the assist with the algorithm. I really like this idea, I was thinking of doing a product comparison video in the future and really test the effectiveness of the clear coat products. I appreciate the idea a lot. Thanks again

[@tylerbaldwin1633]

i use almost the same process but i only sand 220 320 400 600 with a orbital sander then polish with an airway wheel on a variable speed grinder with jewlers rouge.

Wondering, would it make sense to clear coat that great shine?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

no

[@catsoandahalf]

YOU DA MAN! Great video and great results!

[@4kstreamer44]

do you have any tools or tips for thin spoke non-flat wheels

[@SkillsandTrade]

I'll need to make a video on this topic for you one of these days.

[@alierrtrillo9368]

Awesome video. Quick question though why you used a steel wool for applying the wax?

I am trying to polish up the aluminum wheels on my Goldwing Motorcycle. I need a smaller diameter of the sanding sheets and pads you used. Any sources for say 3 inch pads and sheets?

[@melvinrexwinkle1510]

What is your opinion of putting on a coat of meguiars carnuba wax or maybe some ceramic coating, or how about a sprayed on coating of clear coat paint

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Very bad to use carnuba wax, they will turn dull and yellow. No clear coat shit either, instead, Google aluminium sealer and pick one

[@kevinglennon2370]

So what happens to the holes in the wheel? They looked like they could do with the same work? Do you have a way to fix that?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Ffs man, a Mother's polishing ball... use your noggin

[@anonimoporsiempre6033]

SUPERB JOB THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AMIGO 🤛👍🏼☺ JUNE-12-2023 12:34am. ⌚

[@chevy66driver]

What's the best way to get around little decorative rivets? Like on american racing outlaw II wheels

[@SiberianGoneInternational]

SO SHINY! =) Really impressed!

[@SkillsandTrade]

Thank you very much, I'm happy you enjoyed.

[@SiberianGoneInternational]

@@SkillsandTrade ;)

[@robertgarcia5239]

Nice shine but what about the inner circles? they have to shine too, any suggestions?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Mothers power ball... this isn't rocket science

[@LAFerrariZack]

So my current Corvette rims have a clear coat do you put it on after resterashion? Or just leave it?

[@SoldierJ613]

How often do you have to do that? Thinking about buying some aluminum rims

[@RanGer-498]

looks good..what about the small holes?

[@SkillsandTrade]

I would just hand polish and sand for them.

[@ACTVRLADR]

Nice work🤘

[@hellwithit]

Good job. Looks great. Thanks for the info.

[@jpf3681]

Ever heard of a buffer and jewelers rouge???

[@CypressVintage]

Amazing job! Wonder how long it takes to polish a rim this good.

[@alojzijejozinovic9524]

i think around 20-30 minutes. if youre a very detailed.