Repairing teardrop wheels

[toypaseo]

Bare aluminum will look terrible after a single winter.

I had a set of junkyard American Racing Magnum Stingrays on my Paseo. Their clear coat was not in good condition. I polished them with Meguiar’s Wheel Polish to near chrome appearance. I caught a few drives in light snow before swapping over to my winter rollers. Wheels were not cleaned before storage due to cold weather. Went to swap back to them in the spring, and they had mild corrosion spots all over them…

 

[SparkyGT]

i have same rims on my 98, what im having problems with is the bead is leaking/corroding. after a bit the tires just leak down when it gets cold. its a pain, i may have to replace if i ever get it running again.

 

[CDW6212R]

i have same rims on my 98, what im having problems with is the bead is leaking/corroding. after a bit the tires just leak down when it gets cold. its a pain, i may have to replace if i ever get it running again.

You probably have to have the tires dismounted, and smooth the bead surface. The corrosion has built up on that surface unevenly, and it created some leaking.

 

[410Fortune]

Anyone sandblast these suckers to remove the clear? Seems a lot less labor intensive

Could they then be powder coated with a clear? Better than clear coat paint?

 

[GRNMACHINE]

All here have great advice. Re: painting Turdle has some sound advice and what I did with some aftermarket wheels that were pitting like yours on Pathfinder I had. Used Duplicolor Graphite wheel paint, it matched the grey factory fender flares and would look good with your grey fender flares also. Was not too flashy and was very forgiving in covering with multiple coats. Just a thought, it was alot of work sanding all the pits out but the paint lasted many winters and alot of salt. Side note, I believe you are going to like those Falkens, bought a set for different vehicle.

 

[toobladink]

Anyone sandblast these suckers to remove the clear? Seems a lot less labor intensive

Could they then be powder coated with a clear? Better than clear coat paint?

I think the issue for people like me is good access to one!

All here have great advice. Re: painting Turdle has some sound advice and what I did with some aftermarket wheels that were pitting like yours on Pathfinder I had. Used Duplicolor Graphite wheel paint, it matched the grey factory fender flares and would look good with your grey fender flares also. Was not too flashy and was very forgiving in covering with multiple coats. Just a thought, it was alot of work sanding all the pits out but the paint lasted many winters and alot of salt. Side note, I believe you are going to like those Falkens, bought a set for different vehicle.

I love the Falkens so far! They haven't quite built the reputation as some other tire brands, based on review counts on those big tire websites. But I trusted some reviewers and I'm glad I did. Going to take them out for a spin in the sand next week and then I'm just waiting for winter! I am torn on the darker wheels; I like the factory look a lot.