How to spruce up these old rims

[Orpedcrow]

Some wheel acid (aluminum brighter) and 0000 steel wheel with elbow grease might get you where you want.

 

[classman]

A quick way to mask the tire before painting the rim is to cut a strip of thin sheet metal with tinsnips long and broad enough to create an overlap ring/collar. Insert the collar in the groove between the tire and the rim. Use your imagination to fasten the overlap ends. I hold the overlap ends with my hand while spraying.

 

[Bob L]

My wife's old beater Grand Cherokee had wheels that looked like that . I sanded them with 220 then 400 painted them silver and clear coated them. They look great and clean up with soap and water. That was 4 years ago at least they still look fresh. I did prime them with epoxy primer.

 

[Caman96]

A quick way to mask the tire before painting the rim is to cut a strip of thin sheet metal with tinsnips long and broad enough to create an overlap ring/collar. Insert the collar in the groove between the tire and the rim. Use your imagination to fasten the overlap ends. I hold the overlap ends with my hand while spraying.

See post #10 for an easier way.

 

[jaybee]

The clear coat is shot, but I'd say there's a fair bit of oxidation on the aluminum where it's exposed, too. A coat of paint would sure help, but all that unevenness would come right through the paint without taking the time for a good sanding. They'd look good with the faces polished and the sunken parts of the spokes painted black, except that I'm not sure how well you could polish that fine line pattern.

 

[Spareparts]

Are the rims weight rated for a car or truck?

 

[Scooterwrench]

As was said that is clearcoat that is discolored and breaking off. Paint stripper,pressure wash and aluminum naval jelly to brighten the aluminum followed with another good pressure wash. I can still see the machined finish and if you want to retain that do not use any abrasives. Use a white rouge based polish and plenty of elbow grease to bring back the original finish then clean well again,dry and clearcoat to maintain the finish. You will never get that new machined finish back but with some finesse you can maintain the pattern.