advise needed / clear coating wheels
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From: King George Virginia
advise needed / clear coating wheels
Anyone ever clear coated their own wheels? I like the look of polished aluminum but don't what to be forever cleaning the wheels. If anybody has any advise on doing it yourself, please let me know what you used and how things worked out etc..
Thanks in advance for help
Rich
Thanks in advance for help
Rich
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
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No reason why you can't in theory DIY. What finish is on the wheels now?
I've heard it said innumerable times that clearcoat does not like to stick to highly polished wheels. I may be all wet, but I wonder if this is why the OEM wheels on the vettes don't have as great a shine as, for example, a new CCW, which is like a mirror; it's on purpose so that the clearcoat has something to adhere to? Dunno.
I've heard it said innumerable times that clearcoat does not like to stick to highly polished wheels. I may be all wet, but I wonder if this is why the OEM wheels on the vettes don't have as great a shine as, for example, a new CCW, which is like a mirror; it's on purpose so that the clearcoat has something to adhere to? Dunno.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Winnipeg MB.
You can use automotive clear coat but the wheel has to be prepped properly so that there are no waxes present from polishing.
My local wheel shop was using lacquer based clear with an etching additive, not sure why they don't use urethane?
My local wheel shop was using lacquer based clear with an etching additive, not sure why they don't use urethane?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Bonita CA
I really advise against clearcoat! It is much easier to keep up polished aluminum than clear coat. Like clear coat on your cars paint, it will scratch easily and over time look dull. I had it on my HRE wheels for a year and it started to look horrible. I had it removed and repolished and now its much easier to care for. Just my $.02
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From: ABQ NM
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From: King George Virginia
thanks for all the feedback.. I guess I'm just getting Lazy in my old age.. lol. I just wanted to keep them looking new as long as possible. I'm not as worried about the vette but I'm getting ready to put a new set of wheels on my DD also and that is an f-350 Pu and I'm constantly on job sites etc.. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.. I just know they never seem look as good as they day they come out of the box..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
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From: King George Virginia
No reason why you can't in theory DIY. What finish is on the wheels now?
I've heard it said innumerable times that clearcoat does not like to stick to highly polished wheels. I may be all wet, but I wonder if this is why the OEM wheels on the vettes don't have as great a shine as, for example, a new CCW, which is like a mirror; it's on purpose so that the clearcoat has something to adhere to? Dunno.
I've heard it said innumerable times that clearcoat does not like to stick to highly polished wheels. I may be all wet, but I wonder if this is why the OEM wheels on the vettes don't have as great a shine as, for example, a new CCW, which is like a mirror; it's on purpose so that the clearcoat has something to adhere to? Dunno.
