Clear Coating Stock Rims
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
Clear Coating Stock Rims
Hi all,
I just finished wet sanding my 84 stock rims. I started with 200 and finished with 1200 grit. I don't see myself getting them any smoother.
It's time to clear coat. I will remove the Mother's polish, (I wanted to see the final result). What do I buy? I understand you must clear coat the rims so they don't oxidize. I spent a ton of time sanding and don't want any problems.
I just finished wet sanding my 84 stock rims. I started with 200 and finished with 1200 grit. I don't see myself getting them any smoother.
It's time to clear coat. I will remove the Mother's polish, (I wanted to see the final result). What do I buy? I understand you must clear coat the rims so they don't oxidize. I spent a ton of time sanding and don't want any problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Clear coating is not necessary, and it will peel over time unless you have it done professionally.
You will just need to polish the rims, with Mothers or something comparable maybe 2 or 3 times per year.
My Dad stripped the clear from his 87 stock rims 7 years ago and polishes probably twice per year and they are in beautiful shape, and he lives 3 blocks from the ocean.
Well worth it for the improved look IMHO.
You will just need to polish the rims, with Mothers or something comparable maybe 2 or 3 times per year.
My Dad stripped the clear from his 87 stock rims 7 years ago and polishes probably twice per year and they are in beautiful shape, and he lives 3 blocks from the ocean.
Well worth it for the improved look IMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Sorry Scott, but I must disagree... (With tongue firmly in cheek…)
I would suggest Robert, that if you polish them out, you might want to polish them once a year, but that is probably optional...
I have polished two sets of C3 aluminum wheels now and once done, they are as nearly maintenance free as it gets. I would even put them up against most chromed wheels. During three years of living on the beach in Hawaii (I know life can be tough at times…) I probably polished them twice and they looked great regardless. If you try it, you won't be disappointed.
I did clear coat the back side of the wheels (baked them in the oven, I did!!) to keep road-grime from sticking and that has worked well. There are a couple of places where the clear seems to be lifting and I may eventually re-do it, but the fronts only require a bit of polishing once a year… or as often as you can stand not to lavish attention on your baby!!
(Actually Scott, you are correct, polishing aluminum is the best way to go…)
GUSTO
I would suggest Robert, that if you polish them out, you might want to polish them once a year, but that is probably optional...
I have polished two sets of C3 aluminum wheels now and once done, they are as nearly maintenance free as it gets. I would even put them up against most chromed wheels. During three years of living on the beach in Hawaii (I know life can be tough at times…) I probably polished them twice and they looked great regardless. If you try it, you won't be disappointed.
I did clear coat the back side of the wheels (baked them in the oven, I did!!) to keep road-grime from sticking and that has worked well. There are a couple of places where the clear seems to be lifting and I may eventually re-do it, but the fronts only require a bit of polishing once a year… or as often as you can stand not to lavish attention on your baby!!
(Actually Scott, you are correct, polishing aluminum is the best way to go…)
GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
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From: Mandeville, LA / Clemson, SC
What’s the best way to go about removing clear, polishing the wheel (Compounds to use???)??? I'm thinking about doing this in a couple of weekends. About how long would this take because this is my daily driver. Thanks. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Originally Posted by JA94vette
What’s the best way to go about removing clear, polishing the wheel (Compounds to use???)??? I'm thinking about doing this in a couple of weekends. About how long would this take because this is my daily driver. Thanks.
1. What kind of wheesl do you have (ie what year is your car)?
2. Assuming you don't have the 91-92 stock painted sawblades, you can strip the clearcoat with an automotive paint stripper. Then polish with Mother's Aluminum Polish. If you have machined rims (93-96 sawblades) after stripping you could also sand them down, working from 300 grit up to 1500 grit sandpaper, and then polish.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
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From: Phila., PA burbs
I think the amount of polishing you need is totally dependant on the conditions your car sees. I'm guessing you guys that polisl less frequently have cars that live in a garage and rarely, see rain, bad weather, etc. My daily driver truck has polished, non-cleared rims. The truck lives outside and sees all types of weather (rain, snow, etc) and the rims require a ton of maintenance. If I wanted them to look perfect I'd probably have to polish them at least 4+ times a year. As it is now I do them about once a year and they are always a total wreck when I do them. I'm sure they would last longer on my Vette as it is inside and rarely sees any weather.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Originally Posted by TA
I think the amount of polishing you need is totally dependant on the conditions your car sees. I'm guessing you guys that polisl less frequently have cars that live in a garage and rarely, see rain, bad weather, etc. My daily driver truck has polished, non-cleared rims. The truck lives outside and sees all types of weather (rain, snow, etc) and the rims require a ton of maintenance. If I wanted them to look perfect I'd probably have to polish them at least 4+ times a year. As it is now I do them about once a year and they are always a total wreck when I do them. I'm sure they would last longer on my Vette as it is inside and rarely sees any weather.
good point
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
The only reason I polished my rims is because I now have stock 86 rims on my 84. The rims are powder baked in gunsmoke gray. I bought a true set of 84 rims which are powder baked in black, which is what I want. The rims were very dirty from sitting in a garage for years. I drove out to Connecticut to pickup the rims and later that night I stopped at a members house while in Connecticut to look at his 84. The rims on his 84 were like glass and black powder baked.
I asked how he got the rims so smooth and he told me he wet sanded them using 200 to 1200 grit sandpaper. I did the same not knowing each rim would take about 8 hrs. The job is done and I have no regrets.
I'd like to give advise, but don't know much other then the rims are aluminum and take time and patience, but then as you all know by now just owning a Corvette takes patience!
I asked how he got the rims so smooth and he told me he wet sanded them using 200 to 1200 grit sandpaper. I did the same not knowing each rim would take about 8 hrs. The job is done and I have no regrets.
I'd like to give advise, but don't know much other then the rims are aluminum and take time and patience, but then as you all know by now just owning a Corvette takes patience!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
I stripped mine a few years ago. At first they looked good. I polished them and coated them with zaino. I plan to repolish them and coat them with the por product. I personally have problems keeping them looking even half ways good. The brake dust sticks to them and eats into the surface and they dull quickly. Could be a different climate, I just dont know. Mine is not a garage queen and has lived a hard life.