I bought a spare set of wheels the other day that im looking to restore and bring back to the original self. GM wheel # 5082. the previous owner took them off because the clear coat started to peel and he just left them sit for months. Since the clear coat peeled the original alloy started to corrode and oxidize heavily. Was wondering what the best method and products to use in order to get them back to the original shine.

 

They should be able to be refurbished. That said I have used Acetone or Finger nail Polish remover to take the clear cost off. Then if you can find a buffer/grinder you can use a Metal polish on them to remove the corrosion. I have restored some wheels that way, and it worked for me. You may need to use the metal polish on the wheel several times. I just saw a TV commercial for a Simonize metal polish that worked miracles the add said it is available in all major stores. If so and it doesn't work you can return it. Good Luck.

 

after you get them cleaned up and buffed out a bit, you could always look at having them anodized or powder coated but that is pretty expensive

 

Get some autosol from your local parts store, use some circa 1881 furniture stripper first to remove any clear coat, just put it on and wait a bit then wipe off, then use the autosol, it will make them look almost chrome in appearance, then get a can of clear coat and cover them with the clear coat and they are better than new. I use to do this on my harley's on the aluminum engine parts when I couldn't afford the chrome replacements.

 

Ahh i thought i put that i already stripped the clear coat off with paint thinner in my first post. I tried a 000 Steel Wool on a little section and the corrosion started to come out but it took a whole lot of elbow grease. Im deff going to need to use a buffer to get the rest of it up. any recommendation on what pads and wheels to use with the polish? I've heard that some polish's wont really work that well and that Head Light restoration by Rain-X works wonders, pretty weird