Any ideas on re-working stock wheels that are scratched?

[JohnWPaul]

I have stock wheels on my new 1999 XLT. The wheels have deep scratches on them that look terrible. Any ideas on how to get rid of them or make them look better? I do not have the money for new wheels but these make the whole X look bad. Looks like some may have happened when putting the balancing weights on...or taking some old ones off. I am up for any suggestions...thanks.

 

[Donner]

Not sure, but it would seems that there is something that can be done. You might also want to search the body/paint forum.

 

[briwayjones]

Sand them down smooth, polish them and then re-clearcoat them, or paint them, or powder coat.

 

[symon_say]

Google "how to repair wheels" and there will find a lot of tutorials about this.

 

[99SportX]

Send them off to Jon for powder coating, hehe.

 

[briwayjones]

Send them off to Jon for powder coating, hehe.

I would do that with mine if I didn't live so far away and shipping wouldn't cost about 3 times as much as they're worth.

 

[JohnWPaul]

Thanks for the replies. I bet Jon could do a great job on them after seeing his other parts. I am thinking of sand blasting them, polishing them and putting a coat of clear paint on them. Whatever I do, I will take before and after pics.

I saw a thread from another forum that said to prevent the oxidation caused from the wheel weights (most of my problems are due to this) have the tire company that balances the tire use tape on the inside of the wheel. The other option which I do not like is to have them static balanced which means the weights are only on the inner side of the wheel.

 

[conig]

are the rims just a clear powder over aluminuim? they feel almost rubbery.

could we just spray them in aircraft coating remover let them soak for an hour and pressure wash? i think id like to polish mine as i have machine polishers for working aluminuim.