STAGE 2: CORROSION REMOVAL AND POLISHING
The first thing to do is to sort out any kerbing your wheel may have.
Major kerbing on the outer lip can be filed down using a large file. For minor kerbing and scuffs, I've used a flat needle file.
After filing, rub the area down using some 'wet & dry' or emery cloth.
Any sanding or filing should be done in the direction of travel, in other words, follow the circumference of the wheel.
Now we come to the real hard work. Removing the corrosion stains and polishing.
This is what we're dealing with...
Get your 'wet & dry' or emery cloth and start sanding. Once again, follow the circumference of the wheel.
Work on small sections at a time....bite sized chunks!
Once all the stains have been sanded off, your section should look like this...
Now you can start polishing. My polish of choice is Autosol, available at Halfords, but I guess any good metal polish would do.
Take your time to really bring the shine up. Once again, follow the circumference of the wheel.
It should eventually look like this...
The more effort you put in, the smoother the finish will be.
Carry on doing one small section at a time. Here's the centre section finished.
Move onto the outside, working on one fan blade at a time.
Here's the whole wheel finished.
I stuck the wheel in the bath with some washing up liquid to remove any polish residue.
It took me the most part of a day to do the one wheel.
Don't expect to get them done quickly. Your polishing hand will need about a week to recover.
In the meantime you can move onto the next stage......painting!
Below is a picture of three of the four stages;
- Wheel 1 = Untouched
Wheel 2 = Stripped, Sanded & Polished
Wheel 3 = Painted
The next instalment will be the painting of the 'teardrops' within the spokes and the wheel nut holes.
