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From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
Curb Rash
Just got my 2004 Z06 CE about ten days ago, only flaw is a small section of curb rash on the r/front wheel. Any suggestions on how to polish this out or tire shop in Central Florida area that could do this, would prefer not to spend $500 on replacement wheel.
Here's the good news. You won't have to spend $500 to replace the wheel. I just repaired curb rash and a deep scratch on my polished aluminum wheels and spent less then $15...plus my time. I got some 400 and 800 grit wet sandpaper and worked on the rash and scratch until they were smooth. The sandpaper will take of the clear coat, but that's OK because you can reapply that later. After I sanded I used SEVERAL applications of Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish to get the shine back. Next step is to get some clear coat for wheels. I bought mine from Mid America on-line for $9.99. Three coats of clear coat later and you can't see the rash or scratch unless you are right up on the wheel.
Here's the good news. You won't have to spend $500 to replace the wheel. I just repaired curb rash and a deep scratch on my polished aluminum wheels and spent less then $15...plus my time. I got some 400 and 800 grit wet sandpaper and worked on the rash and scratch until they were smooth. The sandpaper will take of the clear coat, but that's OK because you can reapply that later. After I sanded I used SEVERAL applications of Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish to get the shine back. Next step is to get some clear coat for wheels. I bought mine from Mid America on-line for $9.99. Three coats of clear coat later and you can't see the rash or scratch unless you are right up on the wheel.
but use water like you were wet sanding also get some 600 weight paper to do 3 sandings. Start with the 400 then the 600 and finish with the 800. I got new wheels from wheelindex on ebay black motor sports with a polished outside on the rim then had them mounted the guy who mounted them F_CKED UP ONE OF MY REAR WHEELS got 1 sheet of each weight 400, 600 and 800 you would never know that the wheel has been damaged.
From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
Thanks for the replies, I had hoped to be able to do something like this, but wanted to get some advise before proceeding, as usual forum members come though
From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
OK - Update on the curb rash removal. Followed the advise of C3andC5 and Quimbo for the project. Used the 400 grit wet/dry to remove the scratches. Change the paper frequently and use liberal amounts of water, it took about 45 minutes to remove all the scratches. The 600 and 800 grit were real quick to smooth out the area. I then used the Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish and the area blended perfectly. I'm waiting to use the clear coat to see if it will really be necessary. Anyway here's some pics, there alittle big but you can see the area real good that way.
Looks great! About how long did it take you to do this, form start to finish? I have about the same damage as you had, just wondering how much time to set aside. Thanks for the pictures.
OK - Update on the curb rash removal. Followed the advise of C3andC5 and Quimbo for the project. Used the 400 grit wet/dry to remove the scratches. Change the paper frequently and use liberal amounts of water, it took about 45 minutes to remove all the scratches. The 600 and 800 grit were real quick to smooth out the area. I then used the Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish and the area blended perfectly. I'm waiting to use the clear coat to see if it will really be necessary. Anyway here's some pics, there alittle big but you can see the area real good that way.
Looks like you did a great job. Congrats! The clear coat only acts as a protection to prevent discoloring, minor scratches, etc. Your choice if you think you need it.
From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
Originally Posted by Wildcat99
Looks great! About how long did it take you to do this, form start to finish? I have about the same damage as you had, just wondering how much time to set aside. Thanks for the pictures.
It took about an hour total, most of it was removing the scratches with the 400 grit, just be patient, like I said, switch the paper frequently and lots of water. I didn't use too much pressure and also taped off the wheel below the damaged area to prevent removing the clearcoat from that area
simple.. depending on how deep start off with 400 if its real deep then move up to 2000 wetsand.. then get the emoy, tripoli, and white rouge compounds and 3 different pads and make sure you have air tools or a rotozip something that spins at 2500 rpms or faster and apply the compounds in that order, once your done it will look like factory... lots of time and it gets messy when the compounds spin off the pads... if you want more details pm or email me... you can get everything from home depot...
simple.. depending on how deep start off with 400 if its real deep then move up to 2000 wetsand.. then get the emoy, tripoli, and white rouge compounds and 3 different pads and make sure you have air tools or a rotozip something that spins at 2500 rpms or faster and apply the compounds in that order, once your done it will look like factory... lots of time and it gets messy when the compounds spin off the pads... if you want more details pm or email me... you can get everything from home depot...