Here's one place that does reconditioning....WW
Making Stock Wheels Look Good Again
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 5
Making Stock Wheels Look Good Again
Hi everyone. Haven't been here for a while. I have a stock 96 coupe and the rims clear coat are shot. Luckily the center caps with the logo still look good. I was wondering if I can use something to get the clear coat off and then use some kind of metal polish to make them look better? I would buy different rims but I like the stock rims better. Thanks, Ed.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
Your wheels have a machined finish and I'd guess it would be very difficult to accomplish a satisfactory polish without destroying that or maintaining a similar appearance to all four.
If you actually like the wheel I'd suggest you check locally for some wheel reconditioning services and "remember" that the services offered aren't always of the same quality. If you've little or no "curb rash" a professional service will likely make you happier than results you could achieve.
Some actually offer "lifetime" on their refinish. Not knowing where you're located I could only suggest you try maybe some "higher ended" auto dealers to see if they use or recommend a local service. A large reputable collision shop could maybe offer a referral. If yours are in good condition other than the clear you would rather yours be processed and NOT exchanged.
Don't limit yourself to the first you find, check a couple and maybe look at some of their finished product. The service if you shop is likely less expensive than you would think.
You can't duplicate the service of a quality shop. You also likely couldn't accomplish a strip and polish for substantially less because you've not got the proper equipment and expertise.
If you actually like the wheel I'd suggest you check locally for some wheel reconditioning services and "remember" that the services offered aren't always of the same quality. If you've little or no "curb rash" a professional service will likely make you happier than results you could achieve.
Some actually offer "lifetime" on their refinish. Not knowing where you're located I could only suggest you try maybe some "higher ended" auto dealers to see if they use or recommend a local service. A large reputable collision shop could maybe offer a referral. If yours are in good condition other than the clear you would rather yours be processed and NOT exchanged.
Don't limit yourself to the first you find, check a couple and maybe look at some of their finished product. The service if you shop is likely less expensive than you would think.
You can't duplicate the service of a quality shop. You also likely couldn't accomplish a strip and polish for substantially less because you've not got the proper equipment and expertise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Last edited by WW7; Sep 27, 2013 at 09:12 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
Exchanges are likely "collision cores" and you would normally want to avoid this.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
I have a 96' that had bad clear coat issues. I simply pulled my wheels and hit them with airplane stripper I bought from autozone. I used an orbital buffer with aluminum polish for only a couple of minutes and they look great. I did not recoat them because they look better without it and they still have some machining marks so they look original. I waxed them with some aluminum wax and they clean real easy. I was buying new tires so as a test I did it with the tires still on it and the stripper did not do anything to them or the valve stems. My center caps were also in great shape so I reused them without doing anything to them. They are plastic so be careful. My wheels were bad for years and I finally thought what do I have to lose. In the 15 years I've owned it nobody ever said anything about my stock wheels. Now that they are stripped I have had a half dozen great comments about them. It took maybe 40 minutes per wheel once they were off the car. That includes two coats of stripper, brushing with a soft bristle brush, hose washing, towel drying, and 4-6 minutes of polishing. I think in person they look better then they ever have.Here are a few pics.
Last edited by Klyde; Sep 27, 2013 at 05:36 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
Good looking wheels Klyde. My 96 wheels were just like yours. About a year ago I stripped the clear off and polished with Mothers polish. I put two coats of Collinite 845 wax on them. They still look great, just wash and dry. I think this is the best way to go.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
I used Sonus Aluminum Polish and then Sonus Aluminum Sealant Wax. I clean them every once in awhile but with ceramic brake pads it doesn't take much. If they ever need it a minute or two with the buffer will bring them right back. Aluminum without the clear coat looks so much better. On mine under the clear there was some form of grey paint on the spokes and I had to hit them twice to get rid of it. Underneath was a grainy matt surface that I really like.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 13
From: Indiana
Eakster:
Just do it. Get an orbital buffer and only use it for a couple of minutes. If you have really bad spots use a rag and your finger to clean them up first then hit it with the buffer. Ten minutes with the buffer would probably remove the machine marks so keep it short and sweet. It doesn't take long. Apply a coat of wax or sealant and just wash them as usual. You could hit them with a can of clear but you will diminish the looks if you do. I didn't worry about the outer lip with curb scrapes and they still look ten times better then they did before. Do it and stand back and look at your car and be real happy you did. A Saturday morning and your done. It really changed the look of my car and I think the stock wheels are a good fit for my 96'. I think its what the engineers were shooting for but they had to clear coat for production purposes.
Just do it. Get an orbital buffer and only use it for a couple of minutes. If you have really bad spots use a rag and your finger to clean them up first then hit it with the buffer. Ten minutes with the buffer would probably remove the machine marks so keep it short and sweet. It doesn't take long. Apply a coat of wax or sealant and just wash them as usual. You could hit them with a can of clear but you will diminish the looks if you do. I didn't worry about the outer lip with curb scrapes and they still look ten times better then they did before. Do it and stand back and look at your car and be real happy you did. A Saturday morning and your done. It really changed the look of my car and I think the stock wheels are a good fit for my 96'. I think its what the engineers were shooting for but they had to clear coat for production purposes.
