I started refinishing my wheels today. They are looking really good too. 1991 Z28 16" wheels. Tal-Strip II and some black paint.

I have been sanding my wheels and I am having problems removing the machining lines. Anyone know a way to get these to come off that way it will be much smoother. All I really have is 220/400/800/1500/2000 grit. Think maybe some 100 would remove the small side-to-side lines?

 

I bought a mouse sander from sears for about $25 and used 60 grit paper with that. Took the machining lines right out. And I can honestly say it was worth the $25. Saved me a lot of work. If you get one, make sure you get plenty of extra sand paper for it.

 

Would 100 by hand work? I also gotta find a store around my house that sells Tripoli and White Rouge and some wheels.

 

I don't know if that would work. There's a sticky at the top of the Auto Detailing and Appearance board for polishing wheels. Check that out, it can answer pretty much all your questions.

 

I used a hand sander with 800 Grit to get my machine lines out, had some trouble around the end of the rim though.

 

800 grit!?! Did that take three weeks a spoke?

 

Eh, hehe, I went and looked at my stuff again, I used 400 grit to start. I just used 800 grit on my uncles rims, but they are already smooth.

 

I tried to use some 100 by hand and that took it out pretty much. Then went to 400. Its got alot of scratches on my spokes.

I think I am gonna go back over all of it with 100/220/400/800. I hope I can get it nice and smooth. Also have some buffing compound.

 

A few months ago I talked with a guy from Eastwood Co. and he told me to go to 1000 grit and to not use the Emery compound with the sisal wheel, but to instead skip straight to the loose spiral sewn with tripoli, followed by the white rouge with the canton flannel buff. If your going that route. He said because the wheels were aluminum and the sisal wheel would be too harsh on them after the sanding was already done. Just something to think about if your going by the polishing steps.

 

Yeah, I have some Tripoli and some White Rouge. I have read the "polishing your wheels" sticky at the top. Went from that one link about Buffing info. Gonna try some 1000 to pull these scratches out.

 

werd