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MJ
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2004
16:00:10
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 Subject: Stripping & polishing rims
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I have a '98 Dak with the stock grey rims. I was thinking about stripping and polishing them. Has anyone done this? If so can you send me a "how to" guide or direct me to a good website that will tell me how? Also, I'd like to see pics if anyone has them. Thanks guys!
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Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2004
00:14:33
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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Are they steel or aluminum ?
Dr. D
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Martin
GenII
6/14/2004
10:07:00
|  RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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I also would like to strip and polish the aluminum rims on my '94 the clear coat is bubbling up around the edge and they do not look good anymore.
<----There Is A Real Dodge truck!
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MJ
Dodge Dakota
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6/20/2004
21:25:27
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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They are aluminum, at least I'm pretty sure they are. They are the stock rims that are the most common on the '97 and newer models.
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Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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6/20/2004
22:09:04
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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Metal polishing is an art and I suggest that you find a company
to do this job for you.
Dr. D
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2004
00:05:06
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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He's right, it is an art. It's also hard, dirty, and tedious work.
Check with companies like Eastwood for instructions books and videos. There are a number of on line companies that sell the supplies.
Then, get an old wheel from the junk yard, or any old alum part. Try and polish it up to a mirror shine. Then you can decide if you want to do more of that.
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jaggy
GenIII
6/21/2004
00:57:12
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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I and some of my buddies have polished motorcycle wheels. Same idea. both are aluminum the difference is that I had 3+ months to work on 2 wheels in between seasons instead of 4. This is not a project for sh!ts and giggles. Don't get me wrong they look sweet when finished, but after they are pollished you have to keep polishing them to keep the shine, unless you plan to clear coat them.
Its not that bad until you get to small joints where the metal bends and joins up to another. We used a dremal tool for most of it and usally tried to leave some of the original paint in those cracks and work out a design to make the work reasonable.
I would recomend taking the wheels to a professional powder coat shop. Then can media blast them and you could work from there, or look at some other colors they could do for you.
Most shops are pretty cool to work with and charge you for the oven space. so 4 wheels can be done fairly reasonably. (thats what I plan to do with my stockers.)
take .boB's advice and work on an old wheel to see where that gets ya, and if you go through with it post some pics they will look sweet!
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MJ
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2004
21:04:20
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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Actually, I'm testing it on the spare, since it is the same rim. Let me first tell you what my intent is before this goes any further; I'm looking to put in a little elbow grease to improve the appearance of my truck, without spending a lot of money. To have it professionally done would probably cost me as much as just buying new rims, which would defeat the purpose. Well, I guess I'll just follow some instructions from the motorcycle guys.
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mrhino
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2004
23:58:15
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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MJ I have polished 3 diffrent sets of wheels. the first thing you should do is have the tire and valve stem removed. next get some aircraft stripper and remove the paint and/or clear. Then get sheets of wet sand paper from 400 grit to 2000 or higher, than start with the 400 and wet sand till its as smooth as you want it. than step up your sand paper till you reach 2000 (each time you step up you should be removing the scrathes left by the previous grit). By the time you get to 2000 it should be nice and smooth than get some good alummum polish and rub it on and off by hand. It takes time but if you do a good job with the sanding, the polishing will almost do it's self. I hope this helps good luck
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jaggy
GenIII
6/22/2004
16:06:46
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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If you can start with the spare and don't mind driving around on the wheels in a partialy complete state then go for it.
I just want you to know that it is a timely process and will take you many evenings.(per wheel). I used to use some stuff call Blue magic polish on my exhaust pipe. I used a towel and a mouse sander to apply it with friction. The stuff is truely amazing and has a slick finish so dust does not stick. I know it can be done and I know it will look sweet when you are done. Good luck!
Oh, MrHino is right on the money, but try and start with something finer fist, the 400 grit will leave some big grooves and make a lot more sanding with the finer stuff. You can aways go back to a bigger grit if needed. ( I would only use something under 600 grit for a chip or ding.)
Good luck and keep us posted.
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MJ
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2004
21:01:31
| RE: Stripping & polishing rims
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Thanks guys! I also have a dremel tool to get to the hard-to-reach places. I appreciate the help!
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