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      06-03-2007, 11:04 PM   #1
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What to do when your aftermarket rim

clearcoat get chips. The first problem is that once the chip is made the corrosion starts. No, it doesn't look like rust....aluminum alloy rims don't rust but they do corrode AND discolor. There goes the notion that a simple repair will get them back to their glorious and original look.

I took all the rims off the car as I knew it would not be a weekend fix. In fact it took several weekends. I used a clearcoat remover that one can find at most reputable car shops. The one I bought could be sprayed on but only the lip is polished and clearcoated on my rims, so I had to spray some in a cup and use a 1/2" flat paint brush (they sell them at Michaels craft shops) to apply the remover.

From this point the dirty work begins. Dirty because aluminum is a dirty metal. I started using 400 grit wet sandpaper, then 600/1000/2000. What I wanted was a polished mirror finish and that will take some serious elbow grease. I finished by using Mother's Mag & aluminum Polish. Blackfire also has some great products to be used for metal polishing as well. Since I travel on a regular basis, I always take the small hand towels from the hotels. I use them exclusively for projects such as this, then just throw them away after they become soiled.

I didn't take any pics of the actual process itself, nothing noteworthy or interesting enough to take a pic of actually. I'll post some pics of the final result tomorrow.


Cheers,
Greg
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      06-03-2007, 11:23 PM   #2
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helps to know which finish u had on ur wheels. im guessing brushed aluminum or polished.
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      06-03-2007, 11:36 PM   #3
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If it's a painted rim and you need to fix some deep curb rash there was a tech article over on AudiWorld froma number of years ago that describes the repair nicely:

Home Guide to Wheel Scuff Repair

Always nice to see cookbooks for this stuff but I hope I never have to use either of them.

Thanks 20Ducks.
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      06-04-2007, 12:17 AM   #4
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These DIYs have always looked way too difficult for me. Rather pay the $150 for a professional to do it. Still interested to see your pics though.
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      06-04-2007, 09:33 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by takedown8 View Post
These DIYs have always looked way too difficult for me. Rather pay the $150 for a professional to do it. Still interested to see your pics though.
I tried that route. When I was at Homecoming 06 I had Alloy Wheel Repair look at it....couldn't do it. It all comes done to some hard work to bring these back to Car Show standards.


Here are the pics.





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      06-04-2007, 09:33 AM   #6
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Looks nice!
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      06-04-2007, 12:23 PM   #7
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These are polished, however, when I removed the clearcoat they were less than gleaming. Meaning the clearcoat made them look better than they actually were. After wet sanding them, the finish looks like a mirror. I'm a happy camper now.
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      06-04-2007, 12:54 PM   #8
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Nice work, they look great
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      06-04-2007, 12:58 PM   #9
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I forgot to add: I'll never do a dirty project like this ever again!
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      06-04-2007, 01:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 20Ducks View Post
I forgot to add: I'll never do a dirty project like this ever again!
You must have some German in you, like myself, being stubborn enough to get what you want no matter how difficult it is too achieve..

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      06-04-2007, 02:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
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I forgot to add: I'll never do a dirty project like this ever again!
LOL... or, at least until next week.:rocks:
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