negleted semi wheels

[crazieabe]

I got a costomer that wants his semi polished but the wheels are so pitted that it is as ruff as cast aluminum! There is also a coating of concrete slurry all over them. What is the quickest way to sand them down to polish them? The only way I can think of is with a little palm sander with 80 grit to 400 wet sand. Anything faster than this? Also, if anyone has done this before I am wondering how long it would take, so I can estimate what to charge?

[saiyan7]

Why don't you try greaseless compounds. They literaly rip the first layer of aluminum off quicker than you can say "concrete slurry". I polish sportbike frames, and I use the 120 grit greaseless on an 8" spiral sewn cotton wheel. works fast and easy. I have a set of rims in my garage right now and they need to be polished but i will need to buy a faster drill and 4" wheels to get in there. PAIN IN THE BUTT!

[crazieabe]

I hear these greaseless compounds work better than sand paper but will it work good on the cement slurry stuff that has litterally coated the damn wheel? Also, the rest of the truck was in great condition, I already did the rest of it, but what if the wheels are not bad at all, once the cement stuff comes off? Is there a way to get this stuff off without cutting into the aluminum?

[mcaswell]

I expect you'll need something more abrasive to get cement off. An abrasive wheel would probably work.

No - that's what polishing is....removing a small layer of the metal.

[saiyan7]

why don't you try saturating the cement slurry with WD40. I have seen this loosen hardened concrete from metal before, but it's just a thought. good luck.

[crazieabe]

ended up that the company didn't want to spend the money for the back wheels! I wish I could've tried the wd40 though, I will always wonder now!

[saiyan7]

oh well you're probably better off. It might have taken forever.

[crazieabe]

well, now the company wants me to come back, I told him not interested. play hard to get, and jack the rates up... hehehe