2010 Limited with 20" Wheels

[ROD1495]

My 2010 Explorer has the 20" brushed Aluminum Wheels. I really like the wheels, but there is some corrosion around the center caps and the valve stems on 2 wheels. I went to a place that refinishes wheels, and they say there is no way to clean them up and put a clear coat on them. The shop wants to blast them, and powder coat them. Has anyone had any luck just cleaning up and clear coating?

 

[94Eddie]

I have the same wheels and the same corrosion issue around the valve stems. The rims can be stripped, polished and clear coated or powder coated. I am not sure what I will do with them. It is about $300 per wheel to have them done right in my area. At that price it puts buying new rims as an option. The thing is I really like the design of the OEM rims and will probably have them refinished. There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to restore aluminum rims.\ if you want to take on the task yourself.

 

[ROD1495]

I have the same wheels and the same corrosion issue around the valve stems. The rims can be stripped, polished and clear coated or powder coated. I am not sure what I will do with them. It is about $300 per wheel to have them done right in my area. At that price it puts buying new rims as an option. The thing is I really like the design of the OEM rims and will probably have them refinished. There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to restore aluminum rims.\ if you want to take on the task yourself.

I have not been able to find a shop that will strip and clearcoat them. They say that when they media blast them to take off the clearcoat and corrosion, they would need to be "brushed" again.
I am considering stripping them as you suggested, then having them clear coated. Would like to get in inner wheel stripped, and powder coated.

 

[94Eddie]

I have not been able to find a shop that will strip and clearcoat them. They say that when they media blast them to take off the clearcoat and corrosion, they would need to be "brushed" again.
I am considering stripping them as you suggested, then having them clear coated. Would like to get in inner wheel stripped, and powder coated.

They can be stripped with chemicals instead of blasting. This might save the finish in areas where the clear coat is good and reduce extensive polishing to the corroded areas only. I had thought about getting an extra rim, polishing it, then putting it on the vehicle and polish the one just removed and so on. This would keep the vehicle in use and give me plenty of time to get all the rims done myself.