How do you make aluminum rims shiny?
#1
cab horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
How do you make aluminum rims shiny?
Does anyone know how to make aluminium rims look shiny? Mine are quite dull.
#2
outlaw/fink
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pedal alley, u.s.a.
Posts: 32
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
Does anyone know how to make aluminium rims look shiny? Mine are quite dull.
or you may want to try eagle one mag/aluminum polish.
just take your time and keep rubbing on them.they will
get shiny'r the more you rub. you can make them look
chrome.
#4
cab horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
try never dull.
Originally Posted by MERTON
you're using disc breaks, right?
toothpaste
#5
outlaw/fink
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pedal alley, u.s.a.
Posts: 32
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE=operator]I'll see if I can find it at the local wally mart.
No, i'm using v-brakes, i assume it's a bad idea to polish the sides.
you can find it in the automotive dept. @ wally's.
if you have a prob. w/ braking. wipe the area of the rim
with rubbing alchol after polishing.
No, i'm using v-brakes, i assume it's a bad idea to polish the sides.
you can find it in the automotive dept. @ wally's.
if you have a prob. w/ braking. wipe the area of the rim
with rubbing alchol after polishing.
#6
One knee is enough
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: East Central Illinois
Posts: 281
Bikes: 1978 Fuji - now fixed and pegged. 1980s Cannondale Touring - pegged with 18 speeds. 2001 Cannondale CADD 3 - not being ridden
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Older aluminum rims were typically shiny on all surfaces including the breaking surface and they worked just fine. Recently (in the last 20 years) it has been seen as desirable to have anodized aluminum rims. Anodization gives a smoother look to the rim, is typically harder and more scratch resistant, but is more inclined to crack when stressed.
If you have newer anodized rims and you want them truely shiny, you will have to polish off the anodization. A better bet is to find some older rims. [curmudgen mode on] An even better bet is to ride the bike and spend less time looking at it.
If you have newer anodized rims and you want them truely shiny, you will have to polish off the anodization. A better bet is to find some older rims. [curmudgen mode on] An even better bet is to ride the bike and spend less time looking at it.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: south central Texas
Posts: 210
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
Does anyone know how to make aluminium rims look shiny? Mine are quite dull.
#8
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
toothpaste
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#9
cab horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
Just wanted to generally look shinier, anyways picked up a can of mothers mag and aluminum polish at the local wally mart.
#10
outlaw/fink
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pedal alley, u.s.a.
Posts: 32
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
Just wanted to generally look shinier, anyways picked up a can of mothers mag and aluminum polish at the local wally mart.
use very small amount @ a time, it doesn't take much.
rub it till its black, then buff w/ clean clothe. well.
follow directions on can. i've used mother's for a long
time. i suggested eagle one, its bout the same. just
figured mother's was harder to find these days. i seen
it @ wally's this morning. let me know how it comes out.
#11
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Touch them up with wax then I apply a coat of ArmorAll, they shine like crazy!!
#12
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by froze
Touch them up with wax then I apply a coat of ArmorAll, they shine like crazy!!
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#13
outlaw/fink
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pedal alley, u.s.a.
Posts: 32
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i wouldn't put armorall on them, as that stuff
is a dust magnet. as for wax, it wouldn't hurt,
but again is unessary, the mothers polish has
a wax in it, therefore if you try teflon spray, you
will only get "fish-eyed" affect. therefore resulting
back to step one. pam. dust magnet again. so, as
a professional metal finisher, i suggest to just keep
them clean by washing, & you can polish again with
the mother's as needed. good luck, & enjoy the shine.
is a dust magnet. as for wax, it wouldn't hurt,
but again is unessary, the mothers polish has
a wax in it, therefore if you try teflon spray, you
will only get "fish-eyed" affect. therefore resulting
back to step one. pam. dust magnet again. so, as
a professional metal finisher, i suggest to just keep
them clean by washing, & you can polish again with
the mother's as needed. good luck, & enjoy the shine.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 613
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't believe no one has recomended steel wool yet! Give it a try! Just use it to scrape off all of the "gunk" on the rim and you will have them looking brand new!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ohio's Cycling Capital, America's North Coast.
Posts: 4,617
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
0000 steel wool, stay away from the coarse stuff. Also, steel wool can darken aluminum in some cases.
#17
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
Don't forget to apply a nice spray coat of teflon to keep dirt and other nasties from sticking to them in the future. You can also use Pam if you're on a budget but won't last as long.
#18
Chairman of the Bored
Join Date: May 2004
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 5,825
Bikes: 2004 Raleigh Talus, 2001 Motobecane Vent Noir (Custom build for heavy riders)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
synthetic steel wool, get teh 000 equivalent.
It's not metal, won't rust, and is easily reusable. It's also not as flammable as 000 steel wool....yes steel will burn if it gets hot enough....we used to use 00 as tinder for campfires if it was too wet to find decent tinder around.
It's not metal, won't rust, and is easily reusable. It's also not as flammable as 000 steel wool....yes steel will burn if it gets hot enough....we used to use 00 as tinder for campfires if it was too wet to find decent tinder around.
#19
無くなった
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Posts: 5,072
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by catatonic
synthetic steel wool, get teh 000 equivalent.
It's not metal, won't rust, and is easily reusable. It's also not as flammable as 000 steel wool....yes steel will burn if it gets hot enough....we used to use 00 as tinder for campfires if it was too wet to find decent tinder around.
It's not metal, won't rust, and is easily reusable. It's also not as flammable as 000 steel wool....yes steel will burn if it gets hot enough....we used to use 00 as tinder for campfires if it was too wet to find decent tinder around.
#21
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
Ok I got outside and said screw polishing it and went for a nice bikeride around town
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#22
Former Hoarder
What about black anodized rims? Mothers Mag?
55/Rad
55/Rad
#23
outlaw/fink
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: pedal alley, u.s.a.
Posts: 32
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 55/Rad
What about black anodized rims? Mothers Mag?
55/Rad
55/Rad
(not the spray). wipe wd on w/cloth, dry w/ clean cloth.
this usually gives a good shine. using a polish like mothers on
those can sometimes remove some color. i'd try the wd
first. if you don't get the look you want. there is some stuff,
called "black chrome" designed for black ani-d . can usually find
it in the automotive section of the mart.i've allways had a
good result w/ the wd route in this area.
#24
Now with racer-boy font!
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: East Alabama
Posts: 1,272
Bikes: 2004 Litespeed Tuscany, Trek 5500, Breezer Storm, Bianchi road bike (fixed)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I love polishing my bikes. Last Winter, I took my American Classic seatpost and sanded on it using fine grit sandpaper and finally polished it with Mother's mag polish. It came out looking better than new!
Here's a pic of my 30 year old Super Champion wheels after a brief polish session with Mother's mag polish. I didn't do much around the nipples. I'll catch that when I respoke the wheels one day soon.
Here's a pic of my 30 year old Super Champion wheels after a brief polish session with Mother's mag polish. I didn't do much around the nipples. I'll catch that when I respoke the wheels one day soon.
__________________
www.eastalabamacycling.org
www.eastalabamacycling.org
#25
Sweetened with Splenda
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Brooklyn, Alabama
Posts: 2,335
Bikes: Too many 80s roadbikes!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Lonestar1
Are you trying to remove brake pad residue? A light rubbing with steel wool will polish them up & not hurt the braking surface.