Factory 20" Rim Help
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Bradenton, FL
Factory 20" Rim Help
Hey guys. I'm looking for a set of the 02-05 20" rims. Some questions...
These wheels are old by now and have aged, so which should be in better shape and the best buy, chrome or polished?
Were the polished wheels polished and clear coated from the factory, would it even be possible to polish them?
I came across a set of polished wheels w/ center caps, no tires, for $600 near me, good deal? I was going to offer more like $4-500.
Thanks.
These wheels are old by now and have aged, so which should be in better shape and the best buy, chrome or polished?
Were the polished wheels polished and clear coated from the factory, would it even be possible to polish them?
I came across a set of polished wheels w/ center caps, no tires, for $600 near me, good deal? I was going to offer more like $4-500.
Thanks.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
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Most I've seen are polished and clear coated from that era. The later ones come in either polished or silver paint.
You can use aircraft paint remover (AutoZone or whatever has this and it's safe for aluminum) to strip the clearcoat off. Then you might need to wetsand the really oxidized spots with 1,000 and 1,500 grit.
After that if you have access to a die grinder and compressor you can get some different buffing pads in cone and cylinder shape as well as some buffing compound for a few bucks and polish them up. They will look better than new but will require more maintenance once stripped. You'll need to keep them protected with wax or a wheel protectant and do some maintenance polishing once a year or so.
While you're at it you might as well clean up the back side of the rims, sand them a little and mask everything off and spray them with a silver paint or something. This will cover up all of that black oxidation from the brake dust and make them easier to keep looking good.
Sounds like a lot of work but I need to do it too.
I've never done wheels but I have done motorcycle engine covers that had similar treatments.
You can use aircraft paint remover (AutoZone or whatever has this and it's safe for aluminum) to strip the clearcoat off. Then you might need to wetsand the really oxidized spots with 1,000 and 1,500 grit.
After that if you have access to a die grinder and compressor you can get some different buffing pads in cone and cylinder shape as well as some buffing compound for a few bucks and polish them up. They will look better than new but will require more maintenance once stripped. You'll need to keep them protected with wax or a wheel protectant and do some maintenance polishing once a year or so.
While you're at it you might as well clean up the back side of the rims, sand them a little and mask everything off and spray them with a silver paint or something. This will cover up all of that black oxidation from the brake dust and make them easier to keep looking good.
Sounds like a lot of work but I need to do it too.
I've never done wheels but I have done motorcycle engine covers that had similar treatments.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Here's the kind of buffing pads I'd use:
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-h...uff-65000.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-...uff-65001.html
You could use a drill if you have a heavy duty one that can turn high RPM but the die grinder will turn faster and probably get the job done faster. If your drill has a metal chuck I'd wrap it in tape in case it slips and makes contact with the wheel.
Maintenance could be done with something like a Mother's power ball/cone, a drill and some power metal polish. 5-8 mins per wheel once or twice a year.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-h...uff-65000.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-...uff-65001.html
You could use a drill if you have a heavy duty one that can turn high RPM but the die grinder will turn faster and probably get the job done faster. If your drill has a metal chuck I'd wrap it in tape in case it slips and makes contact with the wheel.
Maintenance could be done with something like a Mother's power ball/cone, a drill and some power metal polish. 5-8 mins per wheel once or twice a year.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
BTW the going rate seems to be about $600 on Craig's list. I've looked because I would prefer to just get some painted '06+ ones to replace my flower looking ones. I wouldn't really want to spend money on something so cosmetic though.
