I'd like to learn more about anodized wheel care
05-18-2013, 11:43 AM
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I'd like to learn more about anodized wheel care
Hello all. I rescued this match set of 7-slot (sewer cap) wheels from going to a smelter for scrap.
Two are 16X7 and two are 16X8.
I've wanted to polish them but see folks say don't ever polish anodized wheels. I tried to use dish soap and some good rubbing with a sponge but they still have this cloudy look to them.
Aside from proper care issue from the past, if the damage is done then I suppose I can't hurt them more. I might as well carefully try to polish them.
Underneath the cloudy surface, there are certainly areas that want to shine quite nicely.
If I understand the anodized aluminum process properly, it's basically a chemical oxidation process. That being the case, aluminum oxide is also known as corundum when its naturally occurring, also known as sapphire when its in a nice clear crystal.
Sapphire or corundum (same stuff used in the old days for grinding wheels), has a mohs scale hardness of 9, which is second only to diamond in hardness (10).
If all that holds up under technical review, it would seem that any polish with a hardness less than aluminum oxide / corundum / sapphire / or less than nine (9) should be able to be used?
I'm going to try this as I don't have anything to lose with these rims. Worse case is I have them powder coated. Any further ideas how I might restore these classic rims? Thanks.
Two are 16X7 and two are 16X8.
I've wanted to polish them but see folks say don't ever polish anodized wheels. I tried to use dish soap and some good rubbing with a sponge but they still have this cloudy look to them.
Aside from proper care issue from the past, if the damage is done then I suppose I can't hurt them more. I might as well carefully try to polish them.
Underneath the cloudy surface, there are certainly areas that want to shine quite nicely.
If I understand the anodized aluminum process properly, it's basically a chemical oxidation process. That being the case, aluminum oxide is also known as corundum when its naturally occurring, also known as sapphire when its in a nice clear crystal.
Sapphire or corundum (same stuff used in the old days for grinding wheels), has a mohs scale hardness of 9, which is second only to diamond in hardness (10).
If all that holds up under technical review, it would seem that any polish with a hardness less than aluminum oxide / corundum / sapphire / or less than nine (9) should be able to be used?
I'm going to try this as I don't have anything to lose with these rims. Worse case is I have them powder coated. Any further ideas how I might restore these classic rims? Thanks.
Last edited by HandyRacing; 05-18-2013 at 11:49 AM. Reason: re-size photo
05-18-2013, 12:21 PM
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Found this link on a discussion board, but it doesn't seem to discuss the hardness issue in technical terms:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...eels-care.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...eels-care.html
