Polishing alloy wheels

[rudibrown <rudibrown@domain.elided>]

Hello to all,
I am new subsciber to the Stag mail list and I have been scanning through
past files with great interest noting other members comments, question etc.
I recently completed a 'nut and bolt' rebuild on my own Stag (LE21533 '73
MK II) and I would like to make some comments and offer some advice on
refurbishing the alloy wheels. This seems to be a common question, I had
great results with mine,
so here goes.
Removing the old clear coat: I used aircraft paint remover, there are
several brands on the market.I used a brand called 'Mar-Hyde' commonly
available from any good auto paint suppliers. This when applied to the old
clear coat dissolved it almost immediately, a second application was needed
on a couple of stubborn spots. The stripper is neutralized with water, so
rinsing the wheel with a hose and a old brush and your done with this part.
Took me less than 5 mins per wheel.               Polishing: The main
reason people find this part so tedious and in the end finish with so so
results, is that they fail to use the right tools and polishing compounds
designed to take much of the effort out of the task. Don't waste your time
with all the metal polishes on the market there great for maintaining the
finish but do little to effciently remove deep scratches, pitting,staining
etc. What is needed are the proper buffing bobs, driven by a decent power
source and the right compounds. This brings me to the Eastwood company
where I buy my polishing supplies. I'm sure many people have heard of this
company but for those who have not, their # is 1-800- 345-1178. If you are
interested give them a call and request their free catalouge. They have a
whole section on polishing supplies plus all sorts of other goodies for the
restoration enthusiast. ( I can slso recommend their electo-plating kit.)
For a modest investment of less than $100 I was able to buy all I needed
for the job. They are as follows: mag wheel buff (tapered goblet buff
#2057) at least 2 one for each of the polishing and finishing compounds. A
couple of tapers #4068 to mount the buffs to a chuck. 1 flexible shaft
#5027, this I powered using a 1/3 hp pedsetal drill turning at 1600rpm or
there abouts. The flex shaft allows you to get down into the wheel with the
buffs.1 tube of the TRIPOLI compound and 1 tube of the WHITE ROUGE
compound. 1 buff rake, this helps keep the buff clear as it will clog with
old compound and metal residue with use. Eastwood sell many other types of
buffs, mandrels, compounds etc, take alook in the catalouge decide what you
think may work for you. They have clear application charts to help you decide.
To use: apply the Tripoli compound to the buff, the heat from the rotating
buff will soften the compound onto the buff, and attack that wheel! Using
the compound liberally you will be amazed (with a little practice) how
quite deep scratches etc can be quickly polished out. I had no problem
removing the original machining marks from the ribs of the wheel. When you
are satisfied that you have polished enough, you will more than likely
stand back, and say, "wow what a finish," and to be honest it will look
great. But if you take the time to go over the wheel again with a new buff
this time loaded with the white rouge ( this is called final colouring) the
final results will be very close to chrome. This is the polishers nirvana,
much like a runners high! Not that I would know much about that!
Clear coat: Eastwood sell a product called 'Nyalic' with they say is
designed specifically to protect the finish on polished rims etc. I cannot
vouch for its performance as I have not used it. I prefer to keep my wheel
finish up to snuff with an occasional polish with a conventional metal
polish. I think 'Mothers'is the best on the market. The car as not been
driven in the wet to date and will never be driven on salty roads and it is
those corrosive elements that really does a number on alloy wheels. If
anybody has used  Nyalic or is intending to use it I would be interested to
hear any thoughts on it.
Sorry to be so long winded with this message but I hope anybody struggling
to refinish their wheels can benefit from my experience. Just wanted to
pass this on.
I should add that other than my credit card I have no finacial connection
or otherwise with the Eastwood company, I just happen to like their
products. I think they trade in England for any UK readers. Happy polishing. 
Russ Brown.