refinishing wheels?

[RavoHimself]

have any of you guys attempted to refinish you're wheels yourself? i have aluminum wheels that i bought and they have all sorts of pitting in them im assuming from just age. anyway. yesterday i spent probably 4-5 hours on one wheel alone. i started with 220 grit sandpaper, then 400, then a scotch brite pad. and then i polished them like normal. its not perfect but its a lot shinier than before. theres still a little pitting but its a whole lot better. is there an easier way to do this other than paying someone? if not im gonna try to start with maybe 120 or 150 to attempt to get all the pits out

 

[RavoHimself]

i got a second wheel done. i started with 120 but got lazy on all the rest so you can still see some light scratch marks once its finished. overall im very pleased with the way its turning out

before. i cleaned them with an aluminum etching acid used for cleaning oil trucks

the finished product

 

[rangerbum]

Looks excellent! good work, I know doing refurb is insanely time consuming, so I can appreciate all your work man, good job.

 

[robmedina]

look on youtube. They are mostly machine polished, but you did a heck of a job by hand.

 

[RavoHimself]

Thanks. For free i'm happy with it. I know I can do better but my fingers are destroyed after just those two wheels. Is there something less abrasive than a scotch brite pad. I want to get it one step smoother before polishing. Maybe scotch brite with a lubricant?

 

[99supercab]

what color scotch brite if your useing green there is gray witch is even finer

 

[RavoHimself]

i believe its green. ill have to check and see if i have any gray

 

[brinker88]

http://www.rangerforum.net/f33/explorer-wheels-3529/

http://www.rangerforum.net/f2/found-what-seems-best-wheel-polish-out-there-3624/

Here's two good threads you might want to read.
FWIW tho, I've had great luck with the green scotch brite pads, Mothers wheel polish and Mothers cone drill attachment.