Unpolishing Aluminum

[BDAZSVT]

I have a set of billet aluminum wheels and want the centers "duller" Is there a way to unpolish them easily?
Great Site here!

[jrow]

Originally Posted by BDAZSVT

I have a set of billet aluminum wheels and want the centers "duller" Is there a way to unpolish them easily?
Great Site here!

New wheels or old wheels? Normally aluminum wheels have some kind of clear coating on them that will have to be removed prior to any surface conditioning.

John

[BDAZSVT]

These are about a yaer old and there is no coating. I thought about bead blasting but masking them woukd be a night mare, but I may just scuff and paint masking for paint would be alot easier. I just wondered if there was a chemical of some kind that would dull them some. I will try to post a pic

[BDAZSVT]

[jrow]

Originally Posted by BDAZSVT

These are about a yaer old and there is no coating. I thought about bead blasting but masking them woukd be a night mare, but I may just scuff and paint masking for paint would be alot easier. I just wondered if there was a chemical of some kind that would dull them some. I will try to post a pic

If they weren't coated they would look lifeless and not shine. Is that the condition that your rims are in? They could be painted with clear paint, powder coated with clear, or anodized! If the backs are the same finish as the front then try sanding a spot on the back, that won't show, and see what you get!

John

[BDAZSVT]

They are very shiney. Fully polished front and rear. I will try again to post a pic, not a very good one but I just put a quick one on putfile...

[BDAZSVT]

Somewhat better pic

[jrow]

BDAZSVT,

If they are still shinny after a year then they have some kind of protective coating on them! Three options to see if they are coated. One, use some 120-150 grit sandpaper on the back an see what happens. Two, Aircraft paint stripper. Three, for anodized coating use "EasyOff" heavy duty oven cleaner. ONLY TRY IT ON A PLACE THAT WON'T SHOW.

Anyway you do it, it might not be worth the hassle, thats up to you!

John

[BDAZSVT]

Thanks Jrow. They are bare aluminum, I have just kept them polished. I am sick of polishing those spokes and think they would look better dull. I guess I will scuff and paint them.