Think your GXL rims are ruined? Think again.
Thread Starter
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Think your GXL rims are ruined? Think again.
Since the day I got my first 7 (86 GXL) the rims were pock marked and a dull grey. I didn't like that, but also didn't know what to do about it short of getting them professionally done, which I wasn't about to do at the time.
Then I eventually bump into this site:
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/polish.htm
Why couldn't I apply this to my rims? They're aluminum, too...
The rims have always been a backburner project while I've chased the bigger problems. But now that I've eliminated all of the bigger problems (other than some bodywork - you'll see
) I thought I'd take a shot at the rims this weekend.
Check it out. I used a small hand sander (you can see it in the first pic - it's blue) and 60, 180, 320 and 600 grit sandpaper. When I finished with the 600 the surface was smoooooth (I was expecting to have to use even finer grit before that would happen.) Afterwards, I used Mother's Aluminum Wheel Polish to 'seal' them.
I have to hit them again. I didn't go at it full-bore and there are patches visible where the pock marks were quite deep. And I only did the driver's side. It took about 2 hours to do each rim.
edit: I don't recommend doing this by hand - it will take FOREVER. I know - I took at stab at doing it by hand last fall...
Here is our establishing shot, taken after I finished.
Then I eventually bump into this site:
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/polish.htm
Why couldn't I apply this to my rims? They're aluminum, too...
The rims have always been a backburner project while I've chased the bigger problems. But now that I've eliminated all of the bigger problems (other than some bodywork - you'll see
) I thought I'd take a shot at the rims this weekend.Check it out. I used a small hand sander (you can see it in the first pic - it's blue) and 60, 180, 320 and 600 grit sandpaper. When I finished with the 600 the surface was smoooooth (I was expecting to have to use even finer grit before that would happen.) Afterwards, I used Mother's Aluminum Wheel Polish to 'seal' them.
I have to hit them again. I didn't go at it full-bore and there are patches visible where the pock marks were quite deep. And I only did the driver's side. It took about 2 hours to do each rim.
edit: I don't recommend doing this by hand - it will take FOREVER. I know - I took at stab at doing it by hand last fall...
Here is our establishing shot, taken after I finished.
Last edited by Amur_; Apr 27, 2003 at 06:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
If you can borrow the sander (like I did) then all you have to buy is the sandpaper and the polish.
Just mentioning that after looking at your sig.
Just mentioning that after looking at your sig.
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Full Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Just get some tal-strip and remove the clear cloat, then polish and re-apply the clearcoat.
That's what I intend on doing with my rims, not by choice, but because they are so falky that they won't hold a seal to the tires!
That's what I intend on doing with my rims, not by choice, but because they are so falky that they won't hold a seal to the tires!
Thread Starter
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Originally posted by BDoty311
PS- Please get both of your wheels facing the same direction.
PS- Please get both of your wheels facing the same direction.
Oh ****.
The last time I had the rears off, to do some surgery on the differential, I must have slapped the wheels back on without checking.
Full Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally posted by skydivr73
what is tal-strip? How much and where can I find it?
what is tal-strip? How much and where can I find it?
That guy did a nice write up, and no... that's not 3rd gen as in FD
Tal-strip is one hell of a strong paint/gloss/enamel/whatever remover. I think they use it with airplanes as well.
Thread Starter
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Originally posted by Cwaters
Looks nice, very nice. When you get the detail stuff knocked-out, you should post new photos (little higher res. if you can). I'm interested
Looks nice, very nice. When you get the detail stuff knocked-out, you should post new photos (little higher res. if you can). I'm interested
That I can do and will do.
Btw, I swapped the rear wheels so now the rims are all spinning in the right direction. And now I have one 'clean' rim on each side of the car.
I hope to sand at least one more tomorrow night...
Thread Starter
Refined Valley Dude
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 2
From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
It is mentioned at the link I posted, and I should have mentioned it in my initial post...
Do not sand your rims unless you are wearing a dust mask.
Aluminum dust is BAD for you. You do not want to breathe it!
Do not sand your rims unless you are wearing a dust mask.
Aluminum dust is BAD for you. You do not want to breathe it!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Morgan County, Indiana
hmm so how long did this take my grandpa is a rim cleaning expert and i have a drimmle style sander and i have the S5 gxl rims i want that crome look but they are mags so ill need to know if you would go about it differently..?