Detailing Corvette Slotted Aluminum Wheels

If your car wheels are dirty, everyone notices, no matter how clean the car is. So in this video, I take a deep dive into the art (and hard work) of cleaning and detailing C3 Corvette rims and tires.
Actually, this applies to pretty much any other vehicle, but in this case, I am cleaning the factory Kelsey-Hayes aluminum slotted rims and the BFG tires on my 1981 Corvette.
I am not a professional detailer, but I've been maintaining and keeping my vehicles clean for a few decades, so I think I've learned a thing or two over the years.
You can certainly have a professional detailer take care of this process for you, but if you'd rather save the money you can do it yourself in a few hours and obtain amazing results.
I hope you find the video helpful in making your car or truck wheels look fantastic!
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
CONTENTS
00:00 Detailing C3 Corvette Slotted Rims
00:03 Initial Wash
01:00 Hand Scrubbing
01:21 Cleaning the Raised White Letters
02:34 Stained Aluminum
04:46 Polishing the Rims
15:29 Dressing the Tires
17:44 Side-by-Side Comparison
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- Wheel Cleaner: amzn.to/3FOwXdc
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on my Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
I am a self-taught DIYer. If videos appear to give technical how-to advice, that is not my intention.
Working on a vehicle can be dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a mechanic.
#c3corvette #aluminumpolishing #cardetailingtips

[@vacuumtube1954]

Good morning C3 Corvette, wonderful video ! Thanks for posting. The Mother's polish is good stuff. I like the way your wheels turned out. Thanks again my friend. Also used the Jay Leno Tire/Wheel solution. Great stuff.

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@zeddie9625]

It's amazing on what some time, patience and good old fashioned elbow grease can do... looks GREAT!!

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@jamesizzo3939]

I use the same sanding pad on my letters. Works great!

[@davem6685]

Almost at 10K subscribers. I mask off my valve stems to eliminate paste around the stems. Great job!

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome job! Beautiful wheels!👍

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻

[@russellboyd-jb8jv]

ANOTHER GREAT, INFORMATIVE VIDEO, YOU ROCK DUDE, LOL RUSS BOYD FLORIDA...

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@russellboyd-jb8jv]

THANKYOU FOR FILMING DUDE, I LIKE YOUR CHANNEL FOR SURE.LOL RUSS BOYD FLORIDA@@76vette

[@msarria]

I really enjoy your content. I have a set of aluminum slots with the center colored black. Do you know if the black paint on the center can be removed? I noticed in one of your videos that you also had a set of rims with the centers painted black

[@76vette]

Thank you! 😊👍🏻 The black centers are correct for 76-79 wheels, the polished centers are correct for 80-82 models. I guess you could use a paint stripper to remove the black paint. 😊👍🏻

[@neighbormark]

And the 78 Pace Car has the polished centers as well! Thanks for all your great videos!

[@neighbormark]

Do you know if these aluminum wheels were clear coated from the factory? I feel like I’m seeing some peeling on my 78 wheels.

[@76vette]

@@neighbormark I don’t think so. I’ve restored three or four sets of slotted rims (early to 81) and none had clear coating.

[@neighbormark]

Thanks!

[@user-rj9ki9ub1m]

What is the grit level of sanding paper

[@76vette]

Try a 120 grit first, if you find it to be too aggressive, use a 240. The sponge pads are usually labeled as coarse, medium, and fine AFAIK. 😊👍🏻