What is the best way to make my wheels look new?? they are badly oxidized. can i just polish that away? what should i use?

 

i used mcguires wheel cleaner mixed with automotive strength simple green for the first wash.
(powerwash off)
then, go back over with some more wheel cleaner
(powerwash off)
Then use some elbow grease... Brillo pad wet with simple green.
(powerwash off)
Finally use some chrome / wheel polish (I used 3m Brand)

 

then you could throw on some tire shine and looks like new

 

that method got about 26 years off mine. Hope it works for you.
Also, use gloves when doing this. that wheel cheaner is nasty stuff!

 

i had the aluminum sa wheels and they had sat for like 17 yrs i glass beaded them to get the biggest part off then pressure washed them with mean green cleaner.

 

i heard to use fine grid sand paper (1000 grid... 2000 grid..) not sure tho.. never tried.. but it seems that a clearcoat is peeling off my wheels.. or is that the oxidation..

 

Aircraft paint stripper, WET SAND 120 grit sand paper, 500 grit, 600 grit, 1000 grit, 2000 grit then polish with Mothers....Carl

 

what is aircraft paint stripper and where can i get it?

Thanks carl for the info..

 

you can get that stuff from your typical auto parts store

 

Okay, I just did the wet sand/polish on a front wheel, 220 down to 2000, and it looks fantastic! The wheels weren't this shiny when they were new. The only downside, it took two hours to do one wheel. At least a long weekend is coming up.

 

if you wear beefy gloves you can bolt the rim to be cleaned onto the rear axle, jack it up (LSD's jack up both sides) and let the car idle in gear... insta-lathe! this is how i machined my rear rotors when i got it, just used the angle grinder w/flap disc and let it idle in 3 gear

 

The extremely lazy way to do it!

 

you can probably find someone in the area that can refinish the wheels for you...sand them down and stuff and make them shiny like new...I know theres a guy who lives close to me who refinishes wheels...he does an amazing job I've seen some of the work hes done on wheels that have had curb rash and you can't even tell they touched the curb...so look for someone local who can do it for cheap!