Wheel cleanup

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Frankie84

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I have an original set of these wheels for my 84 dodge. The fronts are stained from brake dust and I'm trying to figure out what to use to get them looking new again. I've tried a few different things but nothing has done what I was hoping.
Before I send these out to be restored, anyone have any tricks? What type of metal are they?
I saw a ramcharger with these all cleaned up on mud terrains and I thought they looked awesome! I know this truck isn't 4wd but the look is cool.
Thanks!
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393784481.632587.jpg
 

PCA4208

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They are most likely steel or aluminum. You can take them off and spray them with a degreaser, let it sit for a while, then spray it with a power washer. If you don't have a power washer, go to a manual car wash. It should have a degreaser function, spray them down. Sit for about 5 minutes, then use the sprayer and spray them rigorously.
 
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Frankie84

Frankie84

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The finish is rough, and so the "pits" are dark colored and won't come out. I think I need some tough chemical that's right for the metal material
 

emjohn4

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The finish is rough, and so the "pits" are dark colored and won't come out. I think I need some tough chemical that's right for the metal material

No cleaner will get pits out.

The wheels need sanded / polished / restored. Not simply cleaned.
 
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Frankie84

Frankie84

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The finish is a "pitted" raw rough finish. The wheels are not erroding. I'll try to get a picture of a close up this week sometime.
Brake cleaner was the first thing I tried after car wash soap. I was hoping there was a trick, like using foil and soda on chrome wheels. I need to figure out what kind of metal they are
 
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Frankie84

Frankie84

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Ok that was my second guess after aluminum lol. The front of the spokes and the lip is a polished smooth surface. But the sides are rough and that's what I can't get to come out nice
 

dodge dude94

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Sounds about right from what I remember of those wheels. Get them as clean as you can sorta thing for the most part. lol
 
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Frankie84

Frankie84

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Yeah it's too bad the rears are perfect but the fronts are basically stained from brake dust. They look way better now than they did back in July when it was pulled out of the barn ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393896020.160281.jpg
 

dodge dude94

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Shame. They're good looking wheels too. Since they ARE magnesium, have you tried aluminum and mag polish?
 
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Frankie84

Frankie84

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I'll have to look and see what I purchased last summer. It may have just been a regular aluminum polish. I know I had really good success cleaning with some grease cutting solution and a cleaning pad. Really got most of it clean, but I feel it can be better.
 

dodge dude94

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I may be wrong, but you could probably use the aluminum polish on the mags anyway since I have polish that does both.
 

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