How do I restore the machined lip on aluminum wheels?

Just picked up a set of American 200s [Daisy-Coke bottle] wheels.
Somebody used aluminum polish on two wheel lips and two are virgin machined.

I DON'T want to polish the lips..I want to make 'em look nice as machined aluminum as they were new.

Anybody know how to do this successfully? Thanks, Jim

 

Lathe.

 

Jack up the car, put the wheels on, put it in gear at idle, start sanding!

 

Correct way,,,

Cheap way,,but will work. HRP

 

Spin them on a wheel balancer and sand the lip.

 

Scotchbrite, on a lathe preferably, on the car or on a swivel stool will work too.

 

Yep, I've chucked some on my lathe and dressed them.

 

I'm not sure if 'sanding' them is the only way to go. I've done that a couple times before using both methods, a brake lathe and a running car...but the look is not the same as virgin machined. No better way huh......bummed.

 

The lathe and if the pattern does not match then you would have to do all four to match or put them on one side.

 

Yep, it will not hurt a thing to take .0005 to .001 or .002 off of them.

They actually have a shop here in town that restores aluminum wheels. Lathe is the way to go.

 

I just use 80 grit sand paper on a brake drum lathe.

 

I chucked one up today and first hit it with a scuff pad...too shiny for me, then I hit it with 320...still too fine , lastly 180 which was decent...I didn't try 80....but I will try 100, then 80.
Before...

After...

 

Looks good, wanna do two of mine?

 

For a Machined looked the lathe is the only way. If you are sanding it I would use 120 or 150 grit with WD-40 or PB Blaster. It will leave a nice finish. Here is a Ford grille with a Brush look.