Rims - Polishing, Sanding

[Krisek]

Hi Guys,

Im Polishing my rims ... 18" RX8 Mazda
They been media blasted with glass beads so .. Powder coat is gone ..

I polished one by hand with sand paper ... and orbital buffer + Foam pad...
Results are nice .. It took me forever ...

2nd rim is half done .... some how it has DIFFERENT color .. one is chrome like silver this one is dark silver ?? dunno why ...

Problem is that there is lots of small "holes" its super hard to sand them out by hand ...

I wonder if those greasseless compounds 80 grit can be helpful ?

How much do I need to buy for 4 rims ?
is more lasting then sand paper ?

Can it be used with Drill ?

I guess I need to get some Spiral Sewn for it too right ?

PS, I Guys I was reading that great FAQ. but I would like to hear some real life cases

Thank You All,

[Brintiff]

Are these rims aluminum? If so I believe the holes are there because the rims are cast. If that's the case no amount of sanding is going to help, the more you sand out the more will appear.

If you need these rims to be a very high polish I think your only option is going to be plating them. Plating will not show the pitting if the rims are prepped properly. The pitting ,depending on depth, may be filled in by the copper plating. If not they can be filled with solder before copper and if needed, after the copper.

If plating is going to cost too much what about a nice candy powder coat? There are some guys on here doing very impressive powder coating.

[mpierich]

... If not they can be filled with solder before copper and if needed, after the copper....

What is the procedure and material for soldering before copper plating, please?

[Krisek]

Yes they are made of aluminum ...
And I was able to sand out holes ...

Beside the holes are only between spokes ...

Spokes are glass smooth

So I guess It can be done just time consuming doing it by hand ...

Thank You

PS. i got some 60g. sand paper ... I hope it will speed up process

60 > 80 > 120 > 300 > 400 > 600 > 800 > 1000 > Buffer

[TRX310R]

Try to use a palm sander or DA to speed up the process. I use these wheels in a die grinder and it saves me HOURs of sanding time. The red wheel removes casting marks with no effort, then smooth it up with the grey wheel. Start wet sanding with 400 grit and you're good to go, saves you hours of hand sanding.

[Brintiff]

What is the procedure and material for soldering before copper plating, please?

I just fill the pits in with solder, sand smooth, plate with acid copper, if it still shows I'll either solder again or plate a thicker layer of copper.

I learned about it from this site, it's explained under "acid copper" in the link below. Obviously the substrate has to be free of all dirt and grease, apply some flux, heat, melt solder. It's very easy to do but if there is a lot of pits it takes awhile.

I was having problems with aluminum until I found a flux made for aluminum.



Caswell Inc. - Bright Acid Copper Plating Kit

[mpierich]

Thanks. What is the manufacturer and/or brand name of the flux made for aluminum? What type of solder is used?

I just fill the pits in with solder, sand smooth, plate with acid copper, if it still shows I'll either solder again or plate a thicker layer of copper.

I learned about it from this site, it's explained under "acid copper" in the link below. Obviously the substrate has to be free of all dirt and grease, apply some flux, heat, melt solder. It's very easy to do but if there is a lot of pits it takes awhile.

I was having problems with aluminum until I found a flux made for aluminum.



Caswell Inc. - Bright Acid Copper Plating Kit

[Brintiff]

You are very much welcome, Thank you for answering all the questions you answer on here.

The link below is the exact kit I bought. Any aluminum flux and aluminum solder should work. I use a soldering iron, a lot more precise than a torch. I also try to clean out the pit with a dental pic.

Before buying the kit I used regular solder, most of the times regular solder will not stick to aluminum, as soon as you clean the aluminum oxide layer off it grows a new one if exposed to oxygen. What I did was to put a drop of oil right on the pit, cleaned up the aluminum which removed the aluminum oxide. Put the tip of the soldering iron right into the drop of oil, it smoked a little but it did work.

UNTIL I tried to plate it, no matter what I did it seemed oil leeched out of the repair and contaminated the plating.






Harris Al-Solder 500 Aluminum Solder Kit

[mpierich]

OK thanks, I'll look into it. I actually don't care about pits, but I'm looking for an easy way to fill dents and gouges in things like Harley primary cases.

[woodjames]

There are some aluminum alloys that accept solder, wrought will, cast won't.
Here's a link that lists the alloys, don't know how this would help on unknown parts.
Tips for Soldering Aluminum

You are very much welcome, Thank you for answering all the questions you answer on here.

The link below is the exact kit I bought. Any aluminum flux and aluminum solder should work. I use a soldering iron, a lot more precise than a torch. I also try to clean out the pit with a dental pic.

Before buying the kit I used regular solder, most of the times regular solder will not stick to aluminum, as soon as you clean the aluminum oxide layer off it grows a new one if exposed to oxygen. What I did was to put a drop of oil right on the pit, cleaned up the aluminum which removed the aluminum oxide. Put the tip of the soldering iron right into the drop of oil, it smoked a little but it did work.

UNTIL I tried to plate it, no matter what I did it seemed oil leeched out of the repair and contaminated the plating.






Harris Al-Solder 500 Aluminum Solder Kit