I recently got new dodge rims put on my '07 Caliber. I have now noticed that they seem to scratch easy and I have a couple now. They look like surface and not too deep. I was told I would have to have them machined to get them out. Does anyone know any good methods to get the scratches out without having to machine them?

 

what are they?
if you could get pictures of them it would help

You may get lucky with a metal polish... try it

 

Here is a photo of the rims. I have circled the areas that have the most scratches.

[IMG]local://upfiles/43591/8A35A80EA7F84D9482489CE91C0A7DE6.jpg[/IMG]

 

With most problems, there are multiple solutions...

This is a bit of a tough one, Here is what I would do...

tape off the unpolished areas, so the only part exposed is the face of the wheel(not the sides of the spokes)
get a good wheel cleaner, clean it...
Shop around for metal polishes... you do not want something like a high shine, or chrome polish...
Make sure you polish the whole rim, not just that section, so the finish will all look the same

I would also get on of those mothers power *****, or power ball minis, I dont have one, but have heard nothing but great things about them.


If that doesnt work, try to wet sand and then polish

 

ok i will try it.

 

I dont think those are a polished rim, thats a clear coat finish. if they are, metal polish wont do anything for it, it may make it worse. Best thing to do for those is take them to a body shop to have them re-cleared.

 

they are clear coat and thats whats is messed up. The only thing you can do is have a shop strip them and redo them.

 

could try to buff them with a high speed rorary buffer. . . its good for clearcoat