Roughness on Wheels

La Porta · 02-14-07, 08:15

Hey guys, name's John, and I am new to the forum. I've got an 06 Mustang GT. My wheels are the 18" clear coated aluminum ones that Ford sells as add-on options. I have noticed, during the last few washes, that the wheels have not looked quite as shiny as before (this part could be in my head). But what isn't in my head is that some areas of the wheel feel somewhat rough to the touch, and some areas in the corners where the spokes contact the rim are looking a bit duller for sure. I have used Meguiar's Hot Rims on there a few times, and I was wondering if that may be responsible. The car is a week and a year old, always garaged, only driven in sunny weather, and has about 3800 miles on it...so I don't think excessive bad conditions applies. Any idea how to potentially fix this issue (not even sure what it is yet)...or do I just go to Ford, feign ignorance, and try to pull some warranty action?

Attached is a shot of what the wheels looked like when the car was virtually new.

mikebai1990 · 02-14-07, 08:40

Do you have any pictures of the wheels as they are now? Do you protect the wheels with wax/sealant? You can consider claying the wheels to remove whatever roughness is on the wheels.

BigJimZ28 · 02-14-07, 09:10

since they are clear coated treat them just like the paint
wash, clay, polish & wax/sealant

the clay should take care of the roughness
the polish will make them look better
and the wax/sealant will make them easy to clean

DieselMDX · 02-14-07, 09:11

poorboys wheel sealant is awesome!

La Porta · 02-14-07, 09:36

I will get a picture this weekend. I am in Med school, and don't have all the time in the world to do anything with my car unless it is the weekend

. So you guys are thinking it is more something on the wheel rather than me somehow eroding away the clearcoat? That is what I am most afraid of.

Mike, whre are ya from on LI? I just moved from Suffolk to here in Arkansas for med school.

mikebai1990 · 02-15-07, 02:10

Nah. Hot Rims won't do any damage to your wheels. Just do a good claying, polishing, and waxing, and they will be nice and shiny again!

Danase · 02-15-07, 02:15

Yeah, I would wash, clay, polish, and coat them with Blitz Wax.

La Porta · 02-17-07, 05:08

Thanks guys, will do. I'll let you know how they come out.

beachcities · 02-17-07, 06:01

waxing wheels? how hot does a wheel get? how many shards of metal brake pads go onto a wheel(aka brake dust), how agressively do most people wash a wheel as opposed to the rest of the car? what wax holds up to that?

BigJimZ28 · 02-17-07, 06:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachcities

waxing wheels? how hot does a wheel get? how many shards of metal brake pads go onto a wheel(aka brake dust), how agressively do most people wash a wheel as opposed to the rest of the car? what wax holds up to that?

the point of using a wax or sealant on the wheel is so you don't have to
wash them any different then the rest of the car

also less brake dust will stick to a sealed /waxed wheel

I use the Klasse twins a max of three times a year so they hold up preaty good!

Sergei · 02-18-07, 12:00

I just had my wheels completely re-painted, re-clear coated due to damage caused by my dealer ( simple tire rotation). The job was perfect, but I did need to do some claying to make them smooth again. After claying, I resealed using my favorite sealant. The wheels are back to smooth. Plus I noticed there was also over spray on the paint. The clay took care of that as well. I think that is your secret weapon to getting your wheels back to smooth.

BigJimZ28 · 02-18-07, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergei

I just had my wheels completely re-painted, re-clear coated due to damage caused by my dealer ( simple tire rotation). The job was perfect, but I did need to do some claying to make them smooth again. After claying, I resealed using my favorite sealant. The wheels are back to smooth. Plus I noticed there was also over spray on the paint. The clay took care of that as well. I think that is your secret weapon to getting your wheels back to smooth.

you should have let the clear cure
it is going to be soft and swirl easy now!