02/02/2023
Rims high gloss sealing and rims polishing
We have already informed you about the right rim care in our article. But how can you give your rims a glossy finish? Does the cleaning and following care really cost a lot of time? In this guide, we answer your questions about polishing aluminum rims, polishing chrome rims and glossing up rims.
Polishing rims: How to give your rims a new shine
Before your rims can shine again, you must first clean them and then remove the protective layer of paint from them. Only then can you properly polish the actual rim. You can find out how to clean your rims correctly in our guide to rim care.
How to remove the paint from your rims properly
After you have cleaned your rims as recommended in our article, you should first remove the previous clear coat from the rim. To do this, it's best to use sandpaper with a grit of about 40 and then work your way up to a grit of 600 over a few intermediate steps. If you have the time, you can also use an etchant to loosen the paint beforehand. This makes it much easier to remove the paint from the rim.
Tip: The rim is easiest to clean after it has been separated from the tire.
You should always roughen the polishing wheels before use. To do this, rub them on a steel brush while the wheel is mounted on a grinder or drill. This will give you consistently good results.
How rim polishing and sealing works
After the rim has been freed from dirt and paint, polishing is the next step. For this purpose, you should use a polishing pad, which you attach to a drill. Then spread some rim polish on your rim and rub it into the rim with the polishing pad. It is best to start at a low speed and work steadily along the rim until you have worked the rim at maximum speed. Finish the polishing with a microfiber cloth and then check the result. If you are satisfied, you can proceed to the next step.
However, if you want to make your rim even shinier, you can now use an ultra-fine polish. Spread the polish again and polish the rim with a microfiber cloth until it shines like a mirror. If you are not satisfied with the result, repeat the process until the rim has the desired appearance.
Sealing the rims
Once the rims are polished, all that's left is a protective layer to keep them clean longer. The best way to do this is to apply rim wax to the rim and then spread it with a polishing pad. Make sure to distribute the wax evenly. With this protective layer, the rims will remain sparkling clean and will please the car owner for a long time after polishing.
Rims high gloss polishing
In addition to standardized polishing, some workshops also offer so-called high-gloss sealing. In this process, a pre-polished rim is clamped in a machine that uses a ceramic body to even out the most minute details. The polishing machine proceeds as if it were treating the surface of the rim with a hammer. In this way, the surface is strongly compacted and retains its shine for a long time.
However, the procedure can be carried out only in appropriate workshops, as a special machine is required for this purpose. The ceramic bodies are completely consumed in the process and are comparatively expensive to procure. In addition, the process must be permanently monitored by an employee to ensure that there is no imbalance in the rim. These factors make high-gloss compacting a price-intensive but worthwhile process.
High-gloss compaction not only makes the surface of the rim shine, it also makes it more resistant to the effects of the road. Rolling chips, stones, dirt and salt can hardly damage a rim compacted in this way. The surface also remains as shiny for a long time. In fact, it is so shiny that you will feel like in a commercial. With high-gloss compaction, you ensure a chrome-like shine, even on ordinary aluminum rims.