Wheel pitting
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 115
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From: Odenville Alabama
Wheel pitting
I have a 2001 coupe with the polished wheels. I have some serious pitting on the wheels. It is not on the curb side. It is all on the inward side where the brakes are. It looks terrible. Anyone else hav this problem? If so what di you do about it?
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That is the sign of a wheel that was not taken care of. You need to keep a wax coating on the barrels of the wheels and keep them clean to avoid pitting. Once pitted, it's a major job to restore (refinish) them...
Team Owner
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From: Oklahoma City OK
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Keeping them clean even on the inside will keep that from happening. I know it's hard to want to do but you should take your wheels off the car and clean and polish the inside a couple of times a year at least. Brake dust can do some damage.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Odenville Alabama
I take great pride in my cars but I have just bought this car about three months ago. I noticed a little pitting, but when I had the wheels off to do the brakes I almost passed out when I saw how bad the pitting was. Is it possible to repair this? How labor intense will it be if I can? Also would it be cheaper to just get new wheels? THe whole car is show room quality except for the wheels. I can't imagine what the guy that had it before me was thinking. I also can't beleive I didn't look at the wheels better. I guess I was blinded by the overall appearance of the car and did not think this would be.
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From: Oklahoma City OK
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I'm sure that it can be polished out. I recently bought some supposedly low mileage i-Forged wheels from a guy that when they got here had the look of wheels that had never been cleaned at all! I took them to a guy here in OKC that's going to polish them and fix the curb rash. He says that they'll look like new.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Paducah Kentucky
I always take ours off a couple of times a year to clean and wax. It makes the clean vette look so much better than if they are all dirty inside the wheel.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Spring Hill Florida
Light sanding
I had the same problem - used car and wheels were terrible. Brake dust does it as it is a Florida car, so no salt. There was a post a few months back that told of actually sanding them. I went out and bought some fine grit and started on them. After much work and using a cloth buffer with rubbing compound they look decent. Unless the sun is hitting the surface it is hard to tell they have been sanded. Search for the post and the poster will walk you thru the steps. Cheaper than new wheels!
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I agree that a good shop should be able to polish out the pits in the barrel of the wheel and it should look like new. Might want to put clear on it to help protect it and then wax it regularly.
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I'm sure that it can be polished out. I recently bought some supposedly low mileage i-Forged wheels from a guy that when they got here had the look of wheels that had never been cleaned at all! I took them to a guy here in OKC that's going to polish them and fix the curb rash. He says that they'll look like new.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Use Rejex to protect.
IF already pitted. strip the clear and polish then protect....
It is a lot of work....
BUT a pro will charge at least $150/wheel.
Search/PM C5naples.... he did a post few years back on his phenomenal results.
IF already pitted. strip the clear and polish then protect....
It is a lot of work....
BUT a pro will charge at least $150/wheel.
Search/PM C5naples.... he did a post few years back on his phenomenal results.
Team Owner
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From: Oklahoma City OK
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hey jrose, fellow OKC here, who do you know that does the wheels? I've kept my stock wheels perfect for 4 plus years, and couple days ago, went through a cave in in a drive I couldn't see b/c low car, droping off, etc., and side of the cave in/concrete bit my chrome wheel and scratched, took a little chunk out, etc. Would love to get it looking perfect again. thanks