Polishing the rims - red or green??

[Guest]

So those of you who have done it before, when I polish the aluminum rim edge to get rid of the oxidization, do I use the red or the green compound?
Do I then seal it with something?
Thanks

[GateKeeper]

depending on the extent of the damage, you might need to start with sandpaper first, 880 grit, and go up to 1200, then use the buffing wheels and compounds


Black, Brown, White

see chart here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polishi...etalworking%29

then use this in the end




repeat with above as necessary

[platinum2]

you can use fine valve grinding compound as well then buff it,it helps get rid of corrosion, use the regular,non grease type, it was way better than sandpaper

[JEEPRUSTY]

The secret to buffing is to test the metal by going from a light compound to the more agressive ones.

When you find the one that works well for the work piece you can then move back toward red and white then fine polish.

[Clone]

I am new to this polishing thing, I have green and red compounds as well as valve compound. Which is more aggressive, the green or the red?
thanks

[Nessism]

When polishing I always use the heavy black cutting compound and a sisal wheel. This is the most aggressive combination I'm aware of yet it polishes to a near chrome finish. I can't figure out why so many of you guys mess around with fluffy wheels and white/red rouge polishes when it's less effective and more time consuming.

If the oxidation is heavy you will have to sand that off first. I typically start with 220 grit and then work up to 400 before going with the wheel. The Suzuki factory finish was about 600 or maybe 800 - more of a brushed finish than polished. No need to go higher unless you want that chrome look (higher gloss than Suzuki used).