Refurbishing aluminum slotted mags
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=2822
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 5:42PM
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Topic: Refurbishing aluminum slotted mags
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Refurbishing aluminum slotted mags
Date Posted: 01-December-2009 at 6:32PM
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Just got my 15X10 aluminum slots today and they were a little ruff.
They have scratches and some nicks and dings in the aluminum but I didn't pay nearly what other 15X10 slots have been going for on ebay.
So I was working late tonite painting a Dodge Caravan at work and in between I started sanding down one of the wheels to remove the scratches,nicks and dings on the aluminum wheel.
I started with 180 grit on a 6in DA sander to remove the heavy scratches and deep nicks in the metal and smooth it out.I then switched to 320 grit on a DA, then 500 grit.I also have a 3 in DA sander which is great for the center of the wheel and tight areas.
Next I start wet sanding by hand with 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper removing the heavier scratches left from the DAsander then I switch to 1000 girt wet,then 1500 grit. I still have to remove some deep nicks in the metal but wanted to see how the wheel would polish up.
had I been done completely sanding I would finish off with 2000 grit wet before polishing with compound on a 3in buffing wheel then use a polish glaze with the buffer and sponge pad to really polish to a high shine and minimal swirls or ultra fine scratches.
You can also finish polishing with a metal polish to get a real deep mirror finish.
I'll post some before and after photos but the polished wheel is not finished yet and needs more sanding but just wanted to show the difference from before and after sanding and polishing.
Before
  deep scratches
  after sanding and polishing
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Replies:
Posted By: occupant
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 2:09AM
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oooh...shiny pretty things...*drools* ------------- 15 Cruze LT, 145K, for the wife 08 Uplander LS, 280K, broken again 08 Explorer EB, 248K, backup work car still looking for another something |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 2:56AM
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Sweet! Those look great. Gonna clear em? ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 5:36AM
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Damn Jeff...coming along smooth. I guess I would not have thought to sand them like that. I'm a bit of an air tool freak and would of gone the surface conditioning route and then power buffed the bejesus outta them.
What's sad is at the north end of my block there is a VW dune buggy and guess what it's sitting on?
 Been there at least 20 years and not moved.
They are 15x10's as far as I can tell, but deep offset. -------------  Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: ramair351
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 6:34AM
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looks like SpeedBuggy, does it talk? ------------- -Pete 1972 montego GT 1970 Torino cobra SCJ 1970 mustang mach 1 1965 Falcon futura |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 7:29AM
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HAHAHA
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: mcford
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 8:54AM
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vroom a zoom zoom! |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 12:50PM
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Ha...I think it gave up the ghost a long, long time ago. Nothing one of my 351c 2v / fmx combos couldn't handle...  ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: BIGEMUN
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 2:09PM
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Awesome, trash to treasure at only the cost of a ton of elbow grease! Great job!Andy- pick that vw up! I saw this one this summer at a car show- I told him it needed a huge whip and coon tail! Took half the afternoon to get a pic. without anyone around it.Way cool!!
 ------------- 1975 Gran Torino Sport |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 2:38PM
ok lets get back on track
No I'm not going to clear them as it gives it a dull finish when you clear aluminum wheels.you get more of a mirror finish from just polishing them with metal polish
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Psquare75 wrote:Posted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 5:26PM
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I didn't save the link but, there was a discussion about polishing rims before.
I followed the link and it took me to a site that showed...
Sand it down and then apply the sealer/primer and then the polish and it was supposed to be a super tough finish that DID NOT DULL!
Wish I saved the link!!!
------------- Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME! 1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 02-December-2009 at 5:40PM
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Zoop metal seal had a deal...something with their chemicals they use. ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: albo74
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 8:00AM
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I wanted to get some mags, re finshed down town , they told me to take the tires off. no problem, now they won't even return my phone calls. Whats wrong with people these days. ------------- albos73gts |
Posted By: albo74
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 8:01AM
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------------- albos73gts |
geePosted By: Regul8r
Date Posted: 13-December-2009 at 9:33AM
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my 10x15s are on the way from Uante!
Gonna throw some meats on them to get pics and measurements!
I have some REALLY slicked 295/50/15's I save from my Dakota. The PepBoys Futura's.
Just to put them on and see what it looks like.
Then of course when I paint the car I will back paint the slots and backside to match.
OLD SKOOL look! ------------- Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME! 1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |