polishing - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

rbidwell · 07-07-2005

I have been considering polishing my wheels and some of the suspension parts. I was hoping that someone could give me some advice on what tools and supplies I might need. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks. Ron

ZR-1Mom · 07-08-2005

Polishing the suspension parts are easy, all you need is any aluminum polish like from Mothers etc. Just use a rag to wipe it on and rub it off. No special tools are needed just elbow grease. I start with paper towels to cut down on the rags until it starts to shine.

The wheels are a different story. If they are stock wheels then they are clear coated. Take it from someone who did two sets, an '87 and a '93. You should think twice about it. You have to strip the clear coat first before you can polish the wheels. It takes a lot of work. Have it done by a professional or buy/trade in your set for some already polished.

Jim Jones · 07-31-2005

If you do decide to polish your wheels, check out this thread:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...heel+polishing

I am going to polish mine at some point in the near future and there are a lot of helpful suggestions on that thread.

Good Luck!

Jim

rbidwell · 07-31-2005

Thanks guys. I had read those posts on the Corvette Action Center, but did not go to the CarDomain site for the additional information. Should get me started. Ron

Jim Jones · 08-01-2005

Looking at the car domain site the difference is like night and day!! I'm hoping to get mine started this week.

Aurora40 · 08-01-2005

Just FYI, but factory wheels are clearcoated, so you'd have to strip that off prior to polishing the metal.

I've *heard* that aircraft strippers work very well for this, though I've never stripped wheels before.

Jim Jones · 08-01-2005

Yea, I read the cardomain site on the CAC thread. I had another member tell me to use acetone. I really want to polish the rims because the results on the cardomain site were just awesome and I think the bright polished aluminum rims will really look great when my black car is clean and polished.

Kevin · 08-01-2005

Suspension is easy. Get a rotary tool it will help a lot.

Mikez40 · 08-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZR-1Mom

Polishing the suspension parts are easy, all you need is any aluminum polish like from Mothers etc. Just use a rag to wipe it on and rub it off. No special tools are needed just elbow grease. I start with paper towels to cut down on the rags until it starts to shine.

To help make it even easier and a little less elow grease, use 00 steel wool with the Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish on your suspension.

Jim Jones · 08-03-2005

It never occurred to me to polish the suspension. Got any pics of the polished suspension? Sounds like a good idea though and much easier than the wheels. I'm guessing that there isn't any clear coating on the suspension.

07-07-2005	#1
rbidwell Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Limon, CO Posts: 117	polishing I have been considering polishing my wheels and some of the suspension parts. I was hoping that someone could give me some advice on what tools and supplies I might need. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks. Ron

07-08-2005	#2
ZR-1Mom Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 49	Polishing the suspension parts are easy, all you need is any aluminum polish like from Mothers etc. Just use a rag to wipe it on and rub it off. No special tools are needed just elbow grease. I start with paper towels to cut down on the rags until it starts to shine. The wheels are a different story. If they are stock wheels then they are clear coated. Take it from someone who did two sets, an '87 and a '93. You should think twice about it. You have to strip the clear coat first before you can polish the wheels. It takes a lot of work. Have it done by a professional or buy/trade in your set for some already polished. __________________ ZR-1 Mom

07-31-2005	#3
Jim Jones Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: I'm in a constant state of euphoria in the Z! Posts: 237	If you do decide to polish your wheels, check out this thread: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...heel+polishing I am going to polish mine at some point in the near future and there are a lot of helpful suggestions on that thread. Good Luck! Jim __________________ Life's too short to be unhappy! [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/koolaid117/Montage.gif[/IMG]

08-01-2005	#5
Jim Jones Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: I'm in a constant state of euphoria in the Z! Posts: 237	Looking at the car domain site the difference is like night and day!! I'm hoping to get mine started this week. __________________ Life's too short to be unhappy! [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/koolaid117/Montage.gif[/IMG]

08-01-2005	#6
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Just FYI, but factory wheels are clearcoated, so you'd have to strip that off prior to polishing the metal. I've heard that aircraft strippers work very well for this, though I've never stripped wheels before. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

08-01-2005	#8
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Suspension is easy. Get a rotary tool it will help a lot. __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

08-03-2005	#10
Jim Jones Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: I'm in a constant state of euphoria in the Z! Posts: 237	It never occurred to me to polish the suspension. Got any pics of the polished suspension? Sounds like a good idea though and much easier than the wheels. I'm guessing that there isn't any clear coating on the suspension.