Shining Polished Alumium Wheels
12-15-2012, 12:58 PM
#21
Drifting
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I have a bent aftermarket wheel, whereas the 13 year-old factory wheels were still in good condition when I sold them several weeks ago.
Luckily the guy who balanced it for me in Arizona on my last trip out there was really good. Between rebalancing the wheel and a good four-wheel alignment the shake I had to deal with on that trip is gone. I wouldn't think or know the wheel was bent if I hadn't seen it for myself.
Luckily the guy who balanced it for me in Arizona on my last trip out there was really good. Between rebalancing the wheel and a good four-wheel alignment the shake I had to deal with on that trip is gone. I wouldn't think or know the wheel was bent if I hadn't seen it for myself.
12-15-2012, 01:16 PM
#22
Melting Slicks
I'm in the same boat. These are showing some pitting in the corners after ten years and 87K, it's tempting to try and do something, but the options are just as everyone said...
12-15-2012, 03:07 PM
#23
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That's pretty much what mine are like, they're not horrible and certainly not past the point of redemption, but as they are, after going all Adams on the car, they definately don't add to the cause. Thing is, I love the simplicity of the thin spokes and the overall proportion of the OEM wheels. It could be a long, long winter. Or I could send them out but I don't even know if you can chrome plate aluminum. The car isn't quite a daily driver but it would reduce the care.
12-15-2012, 10:20 PM
#24
Racer
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Once thin spokes get stoned pitted unless you spend several hundred to get them stripped and recoated you'll need to strip them yourself with aircraft grade stripper (coating is tough) and keep them polished yourself. It's a big job but they'll look better than brand new minus the coating. Just try to stay out of salty environment. If you can do that you just need a few hours of touch up once a year to keep them really nice.
03-12-2013, 11:29 AM
#25
1st Gear
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Small, dark pits in corners of spokes
My 2001 C5 is a high mileage car and the wheels are really in 99% good condition. From 5-10 feet away they look fine. I would like to do something about these tiny pits which obviously are through the clear coat and oxidizing the aluminum. Can I polish just these local areas and then keep them waxed to "stabilize" the finish? Also, I need to polish the inside of the rims as they have clearly not been maintained. Any preferred polish?
thanks, Tractorjimm
thanks, Tractorjimm
03-12-2013, 12:20 PM
#26
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If the clear coat on your factory wheels is getting cloudy, not much you can do to clean it up other than strip it off and re-clear.
03-12-2013, 12:36 PM
#27
Melting Slicks
Ever one has an opinion and that is great. I had a set of high polished aluminum 5 spoke no clear coat loved them but every time I had to clean them my hands were done for days. had them for 10 years. could not deal with them no longer. sorry if 800 is cheap that is what I got and easy to clean. this is my third set of wheels
03-12-2013, 12:40 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
If you have the time and strong hands strip them you will have a nice set of wheels. This is my car with the old wheels witch I sold after ten years and the guy loves them