C4 Stock Wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cassia Florida
C4 Stock Wheels
Ive had a nice,stock 85 for a few years,and just picked up a similar 86 last week. I had'nt noticed before,but apparently the stock wheels come "clear-coated" from the plant. I only realized this because the coating is peeling off on one of the '86 wheels.
So,there goes all my hours of aluminum cleaner,ect,polishing.This changes the ball game. Which raises the question of what to use on a clear-coated wheel for shine/cleaning?? I tried some plain old wax which didnt turn out bad....but....and is this clear-coating a well-known thing or what?My Black book is my bible,I eat,breathe,and live vettes and somehow this fact eluded me. Signed...an embarrased 30 yr vette guy:o
So,there goes all my hours of aluminum cleaner,ect,polishing.This changes the ball game. Which raises the question of what to use on a clear-coated wheel for shine/cleaning?? I tried some plain old wax which didnt turn out bad....but....and is this clear-coating a well-known thing or what?My Black book is my bible,I eat,breathe,and live vettes and somehow this fact eluded me. Signed...an embarrased 30 yr vette guy:o
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Pendleton IN
The claer coat coming off is a pretty common thing unless the car has hardly ever been in bad weather. They can be cleared again with uerethane clear. They look great when they are new. They tend to look not so great when the clear starts to come off though.
Chrome or polished A-molds look good though.....
Chrome or polished A-molds look good though.....
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Effingham Illinois
clear coat
It is possible to sand off the old clear-coat.There was a topic a while back ,someone will chime in and send you the link. Basically its a lot of good old hard work, once you have it off you can polish the surface to look like new. I have done it. The 85' rims are a different metal and don't shine quite like the later ones but look good. After approx 5 to 8 hrs of sanding and polishing per rim the shine will come up. there is a procedure for correct direction for sanding to mimimize the scratching effect of sanding, as you slowly change to the finer grit paper the scratches will be smoothed out. You might search for the thread. I dismounted my tires and made the job easier to handle. I planned to replace them anyway. Have fun! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
Ive had a nice,stock 85 for a few years,and just picked up a similar 86 last week. I had'nt noticed before,but apparently the stock wheels come "clear-coated" from the plant. I only realized this because the coating is peeling off on one of the '86 wheels.
So,there goes all my hours of aluminum cleaner,ect,polishing.This changes the ball game. Which raises the question of what to use on a clear-coated wheel for shine/cleaning?? I tried some plain old wax which didnt turn out bad....but....and is this clear-coating a well-known thing or what?My Black book is my bible,I eat,breathe,and live vettes and somehow this fact eluded me. Signed...an embarrased 30 yr vette guy:o
So,there goes all my hours of aluminum cleaner,ect,polishing.This changes the ball game. Which raises the question of what to use on a clear-coated wheel for shine/cleaning?? I tried some plain old wax which didnt turn out bad....but....and is this clear-coating a well-known thing or what?My Black book is my bible,I eat,breathe,and live vettes and somehow this fact eluded me. Signed...an embarrased 30 yr vette guy:o
As for the peeling clear, sanding/reclearing or sanding/polishing with aluminum polish are about your only options.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
If you elect to strip the clear coat, which I recommend, the finish under the clear is perfect for buffing. Get some Mother's metal polish. It has an element that gets into the aluminum, and helps prevent the tarnishing from coming back, and the wheels will stay shiny for over 3 months just like you polished them if you dry the wheels after every wash
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
If you elect to strip the clear coat, which I recommend, the finish under the clear is perfect for buffing. Get some Mother's metal polish. It has an element that gets into the aluminum, and helps prevent the tarnishing from coming back, and the wheels will stay shiny for over 3 months just like you polished them if you dry the wheels after every wash
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Clear coat issues
What's up guys. I sold wheels and tires for over
20 yrs and have a few things you can try.
The wheels can be dismounted and restored
For about 600$. Or if your ever in Indy I have a guy
That does it mobily for about $75. Let me know if I can help.
New wheels like zr1 wheels, c5, or zo6 wheels are
Available for under 800 a set also. I have
18" chrome zo6 on my 1990 lingenfelter
20 yrs and have a few things you can try.
The wheels can be dismounted and restored
For about 600$. Or if your ever in Indy I have a guy
That does it mobily for about $75. Let me know if I can help.
New wheels like zr1 wheels, c5, or zo6 wheels are
Available for under 800 a set also. I have
18" chrome zo6 on my 1990 lingenfelter
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cassia Florida
I appreciate all the responses Ive gotten,and Im not trying to re-invent the wheel here (pun intended),but....if the wheels come with Clearcoat,which seems to be the same clearcoat that goes on a basecoat/clearcoat paintjob found on cars for the last 20 years or so,then why not wax the wheels just like you would your car??
As Id mentioned,that was my original line of thought,and a quick wax-on/wax-off job shined up them sawblades pretty nice.Just thinking out loud here people.
As Id mentioned,that was my original line of thought,and a quick wax-on/wax-off job shined up them sawblades pretty nice.Just thinking out loud here people.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cassia Florida
Should have stressed that the wheels on my 85 are perfect condition.....NO peeling of clear,so I DONT want to strip them,I had just mentioned that upon buying my 86 the other day ONE of the wheels had partial loss of clear.Which I didnt know was even on the wheels.
So,I have 2 vettes with 7 sawblades in excellent condition.thanks folks
So,I have 2 vettes with 7 sawblades in excellent condition.thanks folks
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 2
I bought an 84 with the original rims and they looked like $h!t. The clear coat was peeling and pocked. I took them off and applied wet sandpaper starting with 160 and worked down to 400. I finally went over them three time with Mother's powerball. They are almost like chrome now. Every once in awhile I go over them with Mother's and they look good. It was a lot of work but IMHO it was worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: New Ulm MN
I bought an 84 with the original rims and they looked like $h!t. The clear coat was peeling and pocked. I took them off and applied wet sandpaper starting with 160 and worked down to 400. I finally went over them three time with Mother's powerball. They are almost like chrome now. Every once in awhile I go over them with Mother's and they look good. It was a lot of work but IMHO it was worth it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cassia Florida
I bought an 84 with the original rims and they looked like $h!t. The clear coat was peeling and pocked. I took them off and applied wet sandpaper starting with 160 and worked down to 400. I finally went over them three time with Mother's powerball. They are almost like chrome now. Every once in awhile I go over them with Mother's and they look good. It was a lot of work but IMHO it was worth it.
,so what was the time factor involved with this particular method?? Hey I do appreciate everyones suggestions by the way,just trying to shine the wheels up nicely without the extensive labor normally needed for a strip/removal.And yeah,would love to see a pic or 2 of your wheels,or anyone elses that has had good results with thier method.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 346
From: SC
I stripped and sanded/polished my 87 stock wheels last summer. The wheels are milled from the factory with tiny ribs on the surface. I started with 150 grit and progressed with 400, 800, 1000, 2000 grit to sand the surface smooth. Followed that with rubbing compound, then polishing compound. Finally used metal polish for a nice shine. A lot of elbow grease, but they look nice. I just wash them and polish.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cassia Florida
Has anybody thought about "bead blasting" the wheels to remove the clear coat??Or tried it?? Now that idea came straight from my arthritic shoulder joints!!!! Thats the kinda elbow grease I could handle
Drop them off at the shop and pick em up later!!
Drop them off at the shop and pick em up later!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 346
From: SC
When I did mine, the stripping of the clear coat was the easy part. I used an orange water based stripper. A few coats, let it sit and rubbed it of with a scotch guard pad. The sanding was the elbow grease part.