Then remove sanding marks with higher 600 grit paper and then move to 1 000 grit and 2 000 grit.
Best way to sand aluminum rims.
If you are stripping aluminum wheels to add paint or powder coating aluminum oxide or crushed glass are good choices.
The best tips i can give are first always polish in the direction of the grain of the aluminum.
If you have it baking soda is a very mild abrasive and leaves a very nice finish the question is what are you wanting to put on the wheels after they are cleaned if paint then you want a smoother finish since it will show through if you are going to powder coat which is thicker then just go with the glass beads.
The finish is protected by a top coat that has to be removed before you can sand and polish the rims.
There are many different sand grades and picking the right grade will ensure the aluminum is not further damaged by the sandblasting.
I could easily spend 500 00 to find out.
Always remember that your first grit is the bulk of your work.
Before sandblasting aluminum it generally is a good idea to clean it to ensure all the imperfections are visible.
If the goal is to strip an aluminum surface to achieve a polished look glass beads or soda will be your best choice.
It is cast aluminum so it is soft and easily sandable.
Okay what is simply the best abrasive paper for my festool ro 150 3 to sand raw plate aluminum after a fine drum sanding.
The level of difficulty involved in sanding.
Diy how to sand and polish aluminum wheels rims in is video i show how to sand and polish wheels or rims links below to all the products i used in this vid.
Start with heavy grit sandpaper around 300 or 400 grit and sand the scratched area including the surrounding inch or so of wheel.
These will leave a anchor profile which will allow the new coating to grip to the aluminum substrate.
Second always start from the bottom and work your way up chasing that black product residue line going side to side in a slow and even motion.
So whether you start with 180 grit when rims are bad or 320 when rims are average that first grit will take most of your sanding time.
Aluminum rims are more easily scratched and damaged than metal rims and so require a little more care and attention.
Prepping and sanding aluminum is the secret to a deep clear shine.
Glass will give you a better matt finish than sand which will be coarser.
Aluminum rims come in a variety of shapes and styles.
For deeper scratches on bare aluminum wheels you need to sand the damaged area.