Best way to polish wheel surface

Secrets, tips, tools, design considerations, materials, the "science" behind it all, and other topics related to building the cars and semi-trucks.
Post Reply
mechanic
Apprentice
Apprentice
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:57 pm
Location: Dallas, TX

Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by mechanic »

After truing my wheels on the lathe I need a good method to polish them to get the tread shiny and glass smooth.
rpcarpe
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 736
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:58 am
Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Re: Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by rpcarpe »

Appearance is one thing, performance... that's another.

If you're working on a lathe, try some 400 grit wet sandpaper to lightly sand the wheel.

Others on DT reported that using graphite to polish the wheel tread slowed down their cars.

Good Luck!
My wife started a new support group... Widows of the Pinewood Derby.
mechanic
Apprentice
Apprentice
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:57 pm
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by mechanic »

Why would graphite slow down a car. I will try the wet 400 and see how that works.

I have always done a final polish of the tread with graphite, should I stop doing this has anyone done any testing to see what the differences are.
User avatar
Ickabod
Pine Head
Pine Head
Posts: 97
Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 1:50 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Re: Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by Ickabod »

mechanic wrote:Why would graphite slow down a car. I will try the wet 400 and see how that works.

I have always done a final polish of the tread with graphite, should I stop doing this has anyone done any testing to see what the differences are.
I believe the theory goes : if you polish the outer wheel surface too much, then the wheel will slide down the track instead of roll. Sliding = more friction.
There are only two seasons: baseball season and The Void. - Jonathan Yardley
chromegsx
Master Pine Head
Master Pine Head
Posts: 166
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:25 pm
Location: PA

Re: Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by chromegsx »

If I'm following all this physics stuff correctly... the trade off is... if you're alignment skills are not up to par... sliding might be a nice trade off that works to your favor.
User avatar
FatSebastian
Pine Head Legend
Pine Head Legend
Posts: 2803
Joined: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:49 pm
Location: Boogerton, PA

Re: Best way to polish wheel surface

Post by FatSebastian »

mechanic wrote:has anyone done any testing to see what the differences are.
You might find this topic of interest, including the embedded links. (Also this explanation.)
Post Reply