How to Polish Mag Wheels

The original term of "mag wheels" was applied to any type of custom wheels made with a magnesium alloy. In today's vernacular, however, basically any lightweight custom wheels are considered "mag wheels." They can be made of a magnesium alloy, aluminum or virtually any other type of metal that is shiny, strong and able to be polished.

• 1

  Clean the mag wheels with an automotive degreaser. Spray on or apply the cleaning solution with a rag, allow it to loosen and dissolve the dirt and grease. Then wipe it off thoroughly with a clean rag.

• 2

  Smooth out any pits, scratches or dings by using an abrasive pad. Rub over any irregularities and sand them out. Start with a 600-grit abrasive pad and move to a 400-grit pad if needed. Never use a lower grit pad than a 400 or you will put scratches into the wheels that will not readily come off. Wipe the wheels with a damp rag to remove any dust or debris left over from this process.

• 3

  Apply a mag wheel polish or an aluminum polish with a buffing pad and begin the polishing process. Buff the wheels to bring out a shine. Plan on using a lot of elbow grease here. Wipe off the polish residue with a clean rag, inspect the wheel for any area that has been missed, particularly between spokes, and reapply the polish and buff again if necessary.