Here's a "before and after" to give you a basic comparison:
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/BEFOREAFTERA.jpg)
Here are the supplies I used. Nothing terribly fancy and not a power tool in sight.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4308.jpg)
As you can see, there was a LOT of road tar and crud stuck to the inside of the wheel. Since the spokes are fairly open, this was quite noticeable from the front side.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4303.jpg)
The first step was to use Bug & Tar removal to get the large chunks of crud off the wheel.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4307.jpg)
Step two was to (gasp!) WET-SAND the wheels with 2000 grade paper and a clay-bar lubricant. This is a very fine finishing paper used in body shops. I went at the wheels long enough to cut through the pits and scratches.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4309.jpg)
Next was to use paste polishing compound (I skip using rubbing compound) on a hand-held buffer with velcro-replaceable foam pads. The pad-holder really helps make the job easier.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4311.jpg)
Once the wheel look very even and smooth, I move on to Mothers Aluminum Wheel paste (the small red tin) and a soft cloth for application/buffing. Work the paste into the wheel until the surface starts to turn black and then buff to a shine.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4314.jpg)
The finished result as a LOT cleaner and shinier (and my shoulder a lot more sore).
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/IMG_4316.jpg)
Here's a close-up showing the transformation. It took several hours on a cold, rainy day to do this but now the wheels look awesome and ready for the nice weather.
![](http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/pantera01826/Pantera%202281/Wheel%20polishing/BeforeAfterB.jpg)
Mark