Repairing teardrop wheels

[toobladink]

I'm usually not one to care about the appearance of my car, but now I am. The wheels are all scratched up and dirty, what should I do to make these look brand new? I've seen people using sand paper, various cleaners, wire brushes, or even powder coating. I also have another set where there's like a plastic film coming off (I don't have picture on me) and I'd like to refinish those if I can. I really like how the factory wheels look so I'd like to keep them in an ideal world.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'm usually not one to care about the appearance of my car, but now I am. The wheels are all scratched up and dirty, what should I do to make these look brand new? I've seen people using sand paper, various cleaners, wire brushes, or even powder coating. I also have another set where there's like a plastic film coming off (I don't have picture on me) and I'd like to refinish those if I can. I really like how the factory wheels look so I'd like to keep them in an ideal world.
View attachment 454392

can you get a closer pic? is it the clear coming off? looks like it to me more than pitting. if so you can sand and clear it, make sure it can withstand high temps. or have fun & change the color

 

[Fix4Dirt]

if it looks like plastic peling thats usually clear

 

[toobladink]

can you get a closer pic? is it the clear coming off? looks like it to me more than pitting. if so you can sand and clear it, make sure it can withstand high temps. or have fun & change the color

when you say "clear" do you just mean clear coat? it's definitely pitting, sorry i just zoomed in on a pic that I have but yeah it's pretty bad. would i just sand it by hand and do like 120 grit and then move to something like 400 or even 800? i'm getting new tires tomorrow so i will definitely be taking pictures then.

definitely interested in keeping these shiny, i don't like the look of painted wheels that much.

the ones that are peeling are in storage, i was going to refinish one of them to use as my spare since the spare is all rusty and gross. it's probably some sort of clear coat, maybe i can use a stripper to get it off so i can sand those?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

when you say "clear" do you just mean clear coat? it's definitely pitting, sorry i just zoomed in on a pic that I have but yeah it's pretty bad. would i just sand it by hand and do like 120 grit and then move to something like 400 or even 800? i'm getting new tires tomorrow so i will definitely be taking pictures then.

definitely interested in keeping these shiny, i don't like the look of painted wheels that much.

the ones that are peeling are in storage, i was going to refinish one of them to use as my spare since the spare is all rusty and gross. it's probably some sort of clear coat, maybe i can use a stripper to get it off so i can sand those?

yes sir. clear=clearcoat

is the metal pitted or the clesrcoat peeling? if it looks papery or plasticy thats clear

as far as grit, i cant remember sorry. i want to say around 1k or theresbouts? but i dont remember to well its been a while since ive refinished rims.

 

[dvdswan]

lots of research is your best friend... and watching videos.

how to repair aluminum wheels - Google Search

 

[Turdle]

How much do you really like those wheels? More than the cost of new custom?

To properly redo those wheels will cost 100+ each, tires must be removed, you'll be on jack stands for wheel time

 

[dvdswan]

You could buy a set from a local j/y. I know one near me asks 35 a rim. Those are plenty to go around.

 

[toobladink]

lots of research is your best friend... and watching videos.

yeah i just find the insight of people who own the same/similar car as me valuable, and often like hearing people's previous experiences. i also know that Fix4Dirt details and is super active, i'd be shocked if he hadn't been the first to reply to my thread

How much do you really like those wheels? More than the cost of new custom?

To properly redo those wheels will cost 100+ each, tires must be removed, you'll be on jack stands for wheel time

yeah, i don't really like how any other wheels look on these. for a while, i wanted the vision turbines, then a guy moved into my apartment that has them on his ranger and i changed my mind pretty quick. i am getting new tires today and i bet i'll change my mind later. i'm not looking for perfection, just want them to look 90% better.

what about removing brake dust? i was just going to get some sort of aluminum cleaner, maybe try something i already have sitting around (goof off), or ordering the permatex kit. seems like a lot of people like that. anyone have anything they swear by? most the cleaners look like they all do the same to me.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

yeah i just find the insight of people who own the same/similar car as me valuable, and often like hearing people's previous experiences. i also know that Fix4Dirt details and is super active, i'd be shocked if he hadn't been the first to reply to my thread


yeah, i don't really like how any other wheels look on these. for a while, i wanted the vision turbines, then a guy moved into my apartment that has them on his ranger and i changed my mind pretty quick. i am getting new tires today and i bet i'll change my mind later. i'm not looking for perfection, just want them to look 90% better.

what about removing brake dust? i was just going to get some sort of aluminum cleaner, maybe try something i already have sitting around (goof off), or ordering the permatex kit. seems like a lot of people like that. anyone have anything they swear by? most the cleaners look like they all do the same to me.

haha, ill look back at my notes, since it's been a hot minute since i restored rims

for built up brake dust i tend to lean meguiars wheel brightener & then polish out as needed for what doesnt come out. but really any wheel cleaner & agitation should do the trick. but alot of times for caked ones, i need to still follow up & polish out.

 

[Turdle]

Just fyi

It's all those cleaners mentioned aboved that harm the clear coat in the first place.

Warm water, a bit of dawn dish detergent , a sponge, and a good rinse. One wheel at a time.

Wheel cleaners big no no for coated wheels.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

checked my notes: VHT clear coat is the stuff. sand w/ 500, use graese & wax remover to make sure its all good, and heres what i did on a blazer steelies: high temp primer, i think the VHT graphite i wrote, then VHT high temp clear. it looked almost factory, and was one of the glossiest steelies i ever seen.

i think on yours you could spray VHT on directly, but i tend to lean toward a primer. so in your case, im nto 100% sure, but i can say that graphite looked clean on the blazer, but its not quite as light a shade as our Xs

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Just fyi

It's all those cleaners mentioned aboved that harm the clear coat in the first place.

Warm water, a bit of dawn dish detergent , a sponge, and a good rinse. One wheel at a time.

Wheel cleaners big no no for coated wheels.

ive never run into an issue w/ wheel brightener... BUT what i will say is its super effective, but if not used right, can be harmful definitely. its on the line between effective & dangerous...

 

[Turdle]

 

[Fix4Dirt]

turtle is right powder coats take additional attention & for that soap & water is ideal. but for clear coated rims, dawn & water works well, but i often find for caked rims wheel brightener (please, please, please, USE SAFELY! (or just use something else entirely thats safer)) works wonders, and polish out as needed.

 

[toobladink]

can you get a closer pic? is it the clear coming off? looks like it to me more than pitting. if so you can sand and clear it, make sure it can withstand high temps. or have fun & change the color

Just wanted to post a better pic, this is after going to the car wash. I went to one that has those pressure washers and got in there as best i could. I’ll have to try and clean em up. But yeah it isn’t the worst i’ve seen out there. I’m more concerned about polishing them up now, but i will probably try that wheel brightener on the inside for the brake dust.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Just wanted to post a better pic, this is after going to the car wash. I went to one that has those pressure washers and got in there as best i could. I’ll have to try and clean em up. But yeah it isn’t the worst i’ve seen out there. I’m more concerned about polishing them up now, but i will probably try that wheel brightener on the inside for the brake dust.

View attachment 454546

be careful w wheel brightener. it works wonders bht its really aggressive. i suppose tou could take the clear off snd leave it uncoated? idk how that would look but may be worth a shot since its free maybe someone esle can chim in

 

[Turdle]

Get some frog tape. Cover teardrop holes, trim with razor blade.
Get a few scotch Brite wheels for a drill, and go to town on that clear till it's gone.
Wipe with acetone till clean, then spray on new clear. Remove tape when dry.

 

[CDW6212R]

The clear coat doesn't last 20 years hardly ever, each slight break into the clear exposes the underneath surface, and usually moisture erodes the clear from below. The entire wheel is coated, to do something at home yourself is the most feasible answer. Any refurbishing service is very expensive these days.

I might suggest a product like vinyl wraps, there are some made to do well on wheels and any exterior parts. I got some metallic grey long ago to do my 18's that the clear died on due to machine work(needed to correct the bolt pattern). I never got to that, the wheels are still on the truck. But for under $100 I think the product would have worked well.

 

[C420sailor]

What’s happening is called filiform corrosion. Aluminum generally doesn’t oxidize too badly in the presence of oxygen. It fades, but the bad corrosion and white powder you’re seeing is the result of aluminum corroding under the clear in the presence of moisture. It spreads like a cancer.

Regardless, the clear has to come off, and the aluminum has to be cleaned/polished to some extent. Whether or not you re-clear, paint, or just leave it bare is up to you. Just know that this white, powdery corrosion can ONLY happen if you coat the wheels in something. Something to think about.