Polishing 8 spoke empi rims

[loftus]

OK, so I have a set of these 8 spoke rims and I want to polish just the outer rim. I have read about guys taking off all tires and valve stems so they can mount them on the back of there bug. (jacked up and secured of course) Then they put their car in drive and let the engine polish the rim. My only question is a sand paper choice. Maybe one more question, is there a finish on the rims that can be destroyed by this practice? Any help would be great. If I do decide to do it, it will be well documented. Thanks, Curt

[firehawk356]

Dont do the "let the engine do the polishing" thing, your asking to break something (probably yourself). Sand the what you want to polish with 1000 grit paper. If its really beat up use 600 first then polish it with Mothers Alluminum and Mag polish. I have done many parts this way and it works great.

[Guest]

well, I did it, and man it worked like a champ! I first pressure washed the rims so there was no dirt on it. Next I sandblasted the spokes. Then I mounted it on the car and went to town on it. I had to wedge a stick on the other side because the pressure that I put on the rim I was polishing slowed it way down. I was also doing it in third gear. I didn't have any thousand grit so i started with 1500. That was too fine. I droped down to 400 and used water then finished up with 1500. The result was outstanding. When I was done, I polished it with some aluminum polish and it shines. I took some pictures and I should have them up by tomorrow.