|
|
02-02-2013, 07:22 PM
|
#1
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 489
|
It's Polishing Time Again
For you do it yourselfers, here are the tools and polishing products I used today to put the shine back on my Journey Wheels. It took about 30 minutes per wheel for the polishing part of the job.
First I wash each wheel to remove all dirt and grime. Then I spray Magic Mix Aluminum Polishing Prep which helps to remove any water spotting. Next I polish using the Mothers Mini polishing ball and Flitz Aluminum Polish. To remove the nasty black residue in the final wipe down step, just sprinkle some cornstarch on your polishing rag and wipe off the remaining polish. I then rinse each wheel and dry.
Not real hard, but start to finish ate up about 4 hours.
Magic Mix Aluminum Polishing Prep
Flitz Aluminum Polish
Cornstarch
Mothers Mini Power Ball
Cordless Drill
Have Fun,
Sammie
__________________
2015 Tiffin Bus 37AP
2016 Ford Explorer
"A Job Begun is Half Done"
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 07:44 PM
|
#2
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: York PA
Posts: 5
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammie
For you do it yourselfers, here are the tools and polishing products I used today to put the shine back on my Journey Wheels. It took about 30 minutes per wheel for the polishing part of the job.
First I wash each wheel to remove all dirt and grime. Then I spray Magic Mix Aluminum Polishing Prep which helps to remove any water spotting. Next I polish using the Mothers Mini polishing ball and Flitz Aluminum Polish. To remove the nasty black residue in the final wipe down step, just sprinkle some cornstarch on your polishing rag and wipe off the remaining polish. I then rinse each wheel and dry.
Not real hard, but start to finish ate up about 4 hours.
Magic Mix Aluminum Polishing Prep
Flitz Aluminum Polish
Cornstarch
Mothers Mini Power Ball
Cordless Drill
Have Fun,
Sammie
|
Thank God my are Stainless Steel Covers...nice job..I feel your pain...I have to custom Harleys with tons of chrome or aluminum to polish...
__________________
2015 Forest River Legacy....2 Harley's and one Mini Cooper
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 07:45 PM
|
#3
|
Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Huntley,IL
Posts: 4
|
Looks Great Sammie!!!
I did mine this fall and didnt do a great job like you have done.
I am going to pull the lug covers and acid etch them this spring and then polish them with Adams metal polish!
__________________
2008 Fleetwood Discovery 40X "Hognest"
2013 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Limited
2004 American Ironhorse Texas Choppe
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 07:47 PM
|
#4
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boerne, Texas
Posts: 17
|
Great job Sammie. You have too much time on your hands.
Don
__________________
2009 Newmar 42 ft. Allstar 4188, Wheelchair Accessible, 400HP Cummins ISL, Allison 3000, Mastertow Dolly, '98 Riviera
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 09:51 PM
|
#5
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
|
Sammie,
Nice job partner. Polishing these wheels, to me, is kind of fun. I put on the outside stereo, plug in my I-pod, get some '50s and '60s music going and sit down and get at it. My wheels weren't too bad when we purchased the coach about 20 months ago so, I didn't have to work too hard to get them to the condition you see them in the pics.
I now spend about 20 minutes per wheel, about every 3 months to keep them like that. Then, they get covered between trips.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 10:28 PM
|
#6
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 489
|
Scott,
Your camera must be a better model than mine as your wheels look shinier than mine. Really, what brand polish do you use?
Sammie
__________________
2015 Tiffin Bus 37AP
2016 Ford Explorer
"A Job Begun is Half Done"
|
|
|
02-02-2013, 11:41 PM
|
#7
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
|
Hey Sammie,
Actually I have several different aluminum polishes. To get the really dull finish off or, some deeper scratches and corrosion off, I use a 3" x 1/2" cotton, tightly sewed buffing wheel and some brown rouge. Then, when I'm satisfied with it's results, I head on over to either semi-chrome, or Wenol. Then, I graduate into the Zephyr 40 which, at one time, was a "Costco Online" product only. But, the last time I checked, Costco on line was not selling it any more. Imagine that, Costco not carrying something the sold prior.
I use the yellow, micro fiber towels for most of the application of the polishing compound and, the buffing. I've not had to use anything to remove the black film. It comes off with the regular buffing cloth. Hope this helps some.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 01:01 AM
|
#8
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Santa Clarita, CA.
Posts: 1,222
|
Ummmm... I don't understand how to do it..
Can you show me on my wheels?
__________________
_______________________________
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 02:56 AM
|
#9
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 50
|
I too sorta enjoy the satisfaction of polishing my wheels. It's not too bad but doing six is a little like work. I used to polish ten on my Tractor and trailer and the fuel tanks!
__________________
American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 05:18 AM
|
#10
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 2,169
|
Sammie, the wheels look great.
For FireUP, only a retired firefighter with too much smoke in his blood would say polishing these wheels is 'fun.' .
I try to do mine once in spring and again in the fall. That little Mothers polishing ball and some Wicked metal polish do the job for sure.
__________________
'07 Country Coach Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit #31578, Cummins ISL 425; 2014 Ford F150 toad; Air Force One Toad Brake.
Glen Allen, VA; Smith Mountain Lake, VA.
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 12:15 PM
|
#11
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
|
They do look good. I pay to have mine done and it wears me out just watching the guy do it.
__________________
US Navy Vet, Liberty Tree Member of Oath Keepers, NRA & VFW Life Member, Alaska EMT.
2009 Safari Cheetah 40 SKQ
2009 Winnebago Chalet 231CR
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 05:37 PM
|
#12
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 813
|
Sammie and Fire UP -- NICE JOB!
So I'm still confused on these AccuRide wheels. Don't they have a coating of some sort on them which they recommend not using a wheel polish on???
I know it's been documented here before, and I'd love to do a buff-n-shine on my '07 Journey wheels, but I have always been under the impression if I do, it will harm them.
Please set me straight. Maybe this time, I'll get it!
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 05:43 PM
|
#13
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cosby, Tn
Posts: 124
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pusherman
Sammie and Fire UP -- NICE JOB!
So I'm still confused on these AccuRide wheels. Don't they have a coating of some sort on them which they recommend not using a wheel polish on???
I know it's been documented here before, and I'd love to do a buff-n-shine on my '07 Journey wheels, but I have always been under the impression if I do, it will harm them.
Please set me straight. Maybe this time, I'll get it!
|
If they are coated they will have "Accushield" stamped on them somewhere.
__________________
Steve Ownby
Full time since 2007
2003 Monaco Signature
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 06:08 PM
|
#14
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
|
Hey Mr Pusherman,
There are some wheels on these coaches that come from the factory with a coating on them. I could not even guess as to the ratio of how many come with a coating and how many don't. Or, if a certain brand of coach manufacturer stipulates to the wheel supplier that the wheels supplied to him have a coating or not.
Accuride wheels have a coating on some of their wheels called "Accu-sheild". And, to the best of my knowledge, it's printed right on the wheels if, it's there. If you have Accuride wheels and you don't see that moniker on them, then you should be able to polish your wheels to your hearts content without worry of damage. And, as I've stated to many folks here, two things. One, if a person is unsure of a coatings presence or not, then put a dab of polish on a rag, rub in a small spot and, if you've got black residue instantly, there's no coating and the polish is doing what it's supposed to do.
Second, the coating, if present, is seriously strong stuff. By trying a dab of polish on a spot on the wheel, you're not going to damage that coating within the time frame it takes to determine if you have black residue or not. If the coating was that weak, that a tiny bit of attempted polishing would do damage, then it would come off very easily and be damaged easily by common everyday contact.
If I had to guess, by the reports on this site alone, there's more folks that have uncoated wheels than there are with the coated ones. But, no numbers are there to back me up.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
|
|
|
02-03-2013, 06:20 PM
|
#15
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 489
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pusherman
Sammie and Fire UP -- NICE JOB!
So I'm still confused on these AccuRide wheels. Don't they have a coating of some sort on them which they recommend not using a wheel polish on???
I know it's been documented here before, and I'd love to do a buff-n-shine on my '07 Journey wheels, but I have always been under the impression if I do, it will harm them.
Please set me straight. Maybe this time, I'll get it!
|
Don, I'm not sure about Accuride wheels but I know Alcoa offered an aluminum wheel that had a coating on it and it was not to be polished. One way to know for sure is that when your wheels start to get that hazy look like the one pictured below it should be able to be polished. Take a dab of simichrome or blue magic or some mothers aluminum polish and try it in a small spot on your wheel. If the aluminun polish starts to turn kinda black, that is just the polish doing its job. It won't take much elbow grease to rub that spot and you won't hurt your wheel if it does have a coating. Just don't go crazy and start off with the drill motor and polishing ball.
Sammie
__________________
2015 Tiffin Bus 37AP
2016 Ford Explorer
"A Job Begun is Half Done"
|
|
|
02-04-2013, 10:26 AM
|
#16
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 813
|
First check of the wheels reveals the label AccuRide (not AccuShield). So my guess is they're polish-able.
Next test will be next week, when I get it into the warmth of the shop and try the polish test like both of you suggested. I'll let you know the results.
Thanks!
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|
|
02-04-2013, 02:08 PM
|
#17
|
Winnebago Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
|
Pusherman,
As you've read on here and possibly other RV forums, polishing these wheels can be a chore or, it may be a simple brush up to the luster you desire. It all depends on just what kind of condition they're in when you start the process. Really oxidized aluminum requires more agressive compound(s) or stronger rouges. The finer the surface becomes, the less agressive the polish has to be. And in the final stage, 99.9% of the time, only a liquid polishing compound will most likely be needed.
But, if they're heavily oxidized, and one trys to use a light duty polishing compound, it will be a lot more work and, the intended results will be a long way off. So, hope this helps some.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
|
|
|
02-04-2013, 04:09 PM
|
#18
|
Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 43
|
flitz
elbow grease and a set of polishing pads
and whammmmmoooooo
followed by a good coat of wax to seal them, now i just damp cloth wipe off the dust and dry em to a high shine
__________________
USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, no your eyes are fine, there are 6 slides
|
|
|
02-04-2013, 04:19 PM
|
#19
|
Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 489
|
powerboatr,
Jeez, I just went to your post and was almost blinded by the picture on my monitor. Nice job
Sammie
__________________
2015 Tiffin Bus 37AP
2016 Ford Explorer
"A Job Begun is Half Done"
|
|
|
02-04-2013, 04:31 PM
|
#20
|
Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 123
|
Very nice job on the wheels to all you polishers. I have the accushield on my wheels so I'm assuming I don't need to polish them. But they aren't as shiny as shiny as the ones in this thread even though they do have coating.
One question I have is how do I get rid if the corrosion around the lug nuts. It's on almost every wheel. I'm assuming the coating has come off the wheels due to the wheels being removed. I've attached a pic, but I took it with my iPhone, then uploaded it to photobucket and inserted it in this post all from my iPhone. Not sure if it'll work or not.
__________________
2008 Newmar Dutchstar 4023, 425hp Cummins ISL
SOLD: 2005 Winnebago Journey 39K, 350HP C-7 Cat
Toad: Flat deck car trailer hauling a 1932 ford tudor sedan
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Motoraid (Again)
|
RoadRohrers |
General Maintenance and Repair |
12 |
02-03-2009 12:53 PM |
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|