slicky rick

i have silver painted wheels that i want to polish. anybody with experience with this. the wheels have a diamond finish version so i guess the metal used can be polished. is it worth doing? even for just the lips?

Germanmarque

Hi, If the lips on yours are smooth however clearcoated, polishing is an option. Just completed a strip of the clearcoat on a set of AMG's which have the smooth outer lip. One can of CRC Gasket stripper stripped the lips on all four rims. They polish up well and personally look better than the duller finish under clearcoat. It means more effort to keep them clean with metal polish, but definately worth it. Am posting this as a reply and a dual purpose, as a reply and as a method of easily removing clearcoat! With respect to using the Gasket Remover, comes in a 300ml spray can. Spray an amount into a glass -egg cup will do. Apply by dabbing on with a 3/8" or similar artists paint brush (so you keep the stripper off the part of the rim you don't want stripped). Apply with wheel cool and in shade (doesn't seem to work with warm rims in direct sunlight -shake can well).
Leave for 5 minutes and wipe off with soft cloth soaked in water. Re-apply to any stubborn clearcoat and repeat. Finally hose off rim and tyre, dry and polish. The good thing is the gasket remover does not tarnish the alloy during the process! Good luck which ever way you go and hope this saves someone going down the wet and dry sanding path.