suggestions on restoring stock wheels
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Rookie
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: winter haven, fl
suggestions on restoring stock wheels
Anyone have some suggestions for restoring stock aluminum wheels that have the factory clearcoat on them? My wheels look like crap from basically not taking care of them properly. They have some spots that have corroded or oxidized through the clearcoat. I don't think mothers polish is going to cut it. Maybe wet sanding would do the trick?
Champion
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NW Arkansas
Moderate User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,003
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From: Albany, NY
You'll never be able to fix them without seeing your patchwork and the patchwork won't hold up that well either....
If you wetsand, you'll need to buff the scrathces out of the under paint or else it'll be dull from wetsanding. You'd also need to chip back any clearcoat that is white or oxidized as that is underneath the surface. You can wipe and wash all you want, it'll never come off unless you dig underneath.
Anything in spray cans won't last. If you want them to last, take them to a powdercoat specialist. I phoned a guy in my area and they were getting $75 for 17" wheels to completely strip, powdercoat and bake them. $25 for any major rash fixes per wheel.
Now, at that point you might be better off buying better used wheels, but if you use any spray can type paint, wheel coating or caliper paint is the best to use.
Also, NEVER use anything labeled Wheel cleaner at the auto parts stores. They have very harsh acids that will eat through the clearcoat over time even if you do as they suggest and wash away quickly. No difference in pouring that stuff on the paint of your hood. It's baaaaad news. Stick to mild degreasers NOT full strength either. If you must use full strength, you have lacked maintenance.
I've done a TON of car cleaning in my day and have seen problem after problem with people using the aluminum "wheel cleaners" because they are made for bare aluminum, not clearcoated wheels.
If you wetsand, you'll need to buff the scrathces out of the under paint or else it'll be dull from wetsanding. You'd also need to chip back any clearcoat that is white or oxidized as that is underneath the surface. You can wipe and wash all you want, it'll never come off unless you dig underneath.
Anything in spray cans won't last. If you want them to last, take them to a powdercoat specialist. I phoned a guy in my area and they were getting $75 for 17" wheels to completely strip, powdercoat and bake them. $25 for any major rash fixes per wheel.
Now, at that point you might be better off buying better used wheels, but if you use any spray can type paint, wheel coating or caliper paint is the best to use.
Also, NEVER use anything labeled Wheel cleaner at the auto parts stores. They have very harsh acids that will eat through the clearcoat over time even if you do as they suggest and wash away quickly. No difference in pouring that stuff on the paint of your hood. It's baaaaad news. Stick to mild degreasers NOT full strength either. If you must use full strength, you have lacked maintenance.
I've done a TON of car cleaning in my day and have seen problem after problem with people using the aluminum "wheel cleaners" because they are made for bare aluminum, not clearcoated wheels.
