alternatives for not clearcoating polished aluminum

[jstn]

hey everyone,

i have a set of aluminum wheels that are currently being polished. i was going to have them powder clear coated but i was told that isn't a reliable process. these wheels will only be used 6 months or so out of the year.

i was also told there are silicone-based polishes that can "seal" the wheel preventing water marks and so forth? is that similar to a product like zoopseal?

my goal is to be able to run these wheels without having to polish them weekly and worrying about water marks, etc. (if that's possible).

any info is very much appreciated! thanks!

justin

[jstn]

bump... nothing? here are the wheels in quetion:

[vortechyank]

You're always going to have to maintain them if they arent coated, but if you get a decent aluminium metal polish, it should give it a sealed layer for a little while. I have never used that Zoopseal stuff but i hear its pretty good. I just use a home made metal polishing mix from a local chroming joint, works splendidly

[jstn]

thanks for the reply.

i purchased some cape cod metal polish which my polisher told me would help seal the wheels and prevent corrosion.

i think i'll run these wheels for a season and see how it goes. if they're a PITA to keep up with (as i suspect they may be) i'll have them coated...

[vortechyank]

You're welcome Yeah, for wheels i would recommend it, seeing as they are out in the weather and direct to the elements. If it were anything else, i never like to coat, but wheels pretty much need it, I use this metal polish stuff i mentioned on my polished engine parts, and really, they can go for a few months before needing any maintenance, probably even longer but i'm just fastidious. Plus, it washes off with water if you want to do something else, ie rebuffing etc. They will never tell me what's in it but i think i have a vauge idea. Definately toothpaste, is one ingredient. It's amazing stuff, you can rub it directly on cast by hand and get a shine, plus like i said the sealing qualities are excellent and it can be used on any metal you can think of

[smooth72]

I have never liked how the wheels look after sealed. I have polished wheels on my daily driver and I think the extra maintenance is worth it. The best polish I have found is English. If you want to get something locally mothers Billet polish is good, make sure you get the billet not the aluminum polish for final polish. After that use dp wheel glaze. Checkout autogeek forum lots of info there.

Metal polish for aluminum, silver, brass, chrome, stainless steel, copper and bronze from English Custom Polishing.


DP Wheel Glaze cleans and protects all types of wheels! Durable wheel polymer wax coating protects wheels from brake dust adhesion and corrosion.