Dirty cast wheels (how to clean?)

[scbill]

From best I can find, these are 82 bronco cast. Don't look clearcoated, how is the best way to clean? I thought about beadblast, maybe 0000 steel wool and a cleaner. What cleaner should I use? Don't want to make a bigger job than I already have.

Thanks, Bill

[Steve83]

Blasting will do a better job of cleaning them than any cleaner will.  I certainly wouldn't use any steel on Aluminum - the tiny particles that break off & embed will rust, causing stains.  Either clearcoat them after blasting & blowing the dust off; or polish, rinse, dry, then clearcoat.

[Gary Lewis]

I don't think they were coated from the factory from what I remember, and had what I would call a "raw" look.  So bead blasting them would work to clean them, but I'd use something like walnut hulls to do it as that will clean but not change the texture.  And, as Steve said, don't use steel shot to blast them.

I'm not sure polishing would be very easy.  Again, this is my remembrance, but I think they have a texture to them that will require a lot of sanding/polishing to smooth out enough to achieve a shine.

But, I may well be wrong.

[scbill]

OK....Meguiars as usual has a product that works really well, Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner Spray, states on the directions for uncoated wheels. I have tried on one wheel using gray (fine grade) scotchs bright pad to scrub after soaking the prescribed time.  Looks a lot better.

On the same line...where can I find the center part of this type center cap, only need one, have all the caps, just one has the "badge" missing.

[Steve83]

scbill wrote

where can I find the center part of this type center cap...

JY or new aftermarket knockoffs.