My rims are severely, SEVERELY pitted from brake dust

[imported_Auto Concierge]

What can I do about this? I cannot even scrape this stuff off with a blade. I don`t think any chemicals will work, I`ve tried Simple Green, polish, claybar, and kerosene. I scrub them with a bristle brush. Nothing works.



I was in an accident recently and got two reconditioned used rims out of it, but they are absolutely perfect. This are stock OEM VW rims, so they must have been on a Passat like mine at some point, and ALL Passats have rear brake pad problems. My question is, what did someone do to these rims to make them look like new? Some kind of professional shop?



Needless to say, I have been Klasse-ing these two new rims, and so far, so good. I really gave them a good coat, too.



*Update* Tonight I spent about 1.5 hours working on my rims. They are 8 spoke rims, but I only got about 4 spokes of 1 wheel done during that time. The important thing is that I changed my method. I`m still going the abbrasive route, but instead I alternated between a clay bar and a Scotch dish pad (one of the green ones, not too rough). The claybar was pulling out the easier pits, so I would start a section with that. After that I moved on to the Scotch pad, getting it soaking wet and buffing the surface of the rim in a circular pattern, kind of a wet sanding method I guess. It left 0 scratches that I could see, but it got the more difficult pits out.



I was removing layers of clear coat, there is no doubt about that. One section has a very small 1/4" spot where the finish is gone; I should`ve used more clay bar there and less Scotch pad. I finished up by polishing the rims with some Meguiar`s, then adding a coat of Klasse SG. I am VERY happy with the results. They look GREAT, with no pitting left whatsoever. And the layers of Klasse will provide protection. The key now is maintenance; washing the rims once a week and adding SG. I`m so stoked now, it`s like I have new rims again! :xyxthumbs



Due to some idiotic responses on other forums, PLEASE read this thread before you reply. I`ve basically addressed all the drawbacks of this method.

[Spilchy]

Sounds like you`ve tried everything. You may have to bite the bullet and buy a couple new ones or get them refinished.



Check these guys out for your Passat:



http://www.wheels-and-rims.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/volkswagen-passat-wheels.html?wheel_id=555



They have good pricing on OEM wheels

[//MMMGood]

May as well try brake parts cleaner if you are thinking about replacing them anyways.



Peter Hsu

[chris0626]

I second the brake parts cleaner suggestion. You can pick that up at any auto supply store or WalMart. Or some of the professional cleaners like EFHI or APC+. Do you have photos you could post here? I`m not familiar with these new cars; are the wheels steel, aluminum, or what?

[imported_Auto Concierge]

No way am I buying new ones, $400+ would put me well on my way to a set of nice used 16" or 17" rims. I`ll try the brake dust cleaner, but maybe dilute it somehow to start.



Anyone else have any more insight into what a professional shop would use? I know there are shops out there that can reform bent rims: maybe they could do this kind of work also. Like I said, my 2 new reconditioned rims don`t have any brake dust pitting, so it has to be possible.



Wheels are alloys, by the way.

[chris0626]

Originally posted by Lynn

I second the brake parts cleaner suggestion. You can pick that up at any auto supply store or WalMart. Or some of the professional cleaners like EFHI or APC+. Do you have photos you could post here?

BTW, you can`t (and don`t need to) dilute brake parts cleaner. It`s an aerosol can; use it full strength.

[shaf]

I think "reconditioned" rims would have come from one of these wheel repair shops that have been mentioned. Often they have both services - bend/dent fixing and repainting. Basically I think they sand/strip/blast, etc. and then repaint it, not use some miracle product or process on it. That`s AFAIK and I could be wrong though...

[Scottwax]

4DSC is right, they strip the wheels then recoat them. Changing your pads to a lower dusting pad would also help. VWs are notorious for nasty brake dust and PITA to clean rims.

[2wheelsx2]

Yup, 4DSC and Scott are correct. I was side-swiped by a 5 ton truck a couple of years ago and my truck at that time got one of the rims all gouged up. It was sent off to one of those refinishers and they beadblasted it and recleared it. Cost the insurance company $150 CDN. So it`s not cheap.

[Michaelwdes]

acid wash them, then have them polished.....select shops can do it 4 u.....

[LOTA OT]

Originally posted by Triumph

No way am I buying new ones, $400+ would put me well on my way to a set of nice used 16" or 17" rims. I`ll try the brake dust cleaner, but maybe dilute it somehow to start.



Anyone else have any more insight into what a professional shop would use? I know there are shops out there that can reform bent rims: maybe they could do this kind of work also. Like I said, my 2 new reconditioned rims don`t have any brake dust pitting, so it has to be possible.



Wheels are alloys, by the way.

I can`t help with the refinishing info, but there if you decide to get new rims, there is no need pay $400 plus. There are lots of places to get them cheaper. Which model VW rims do you have? If you don`t know the model a pic or a description would help.



Michael

[Spilchy]

Originally posted by Scottwax

4DSC is right, they strip the wheels then recoat them. Changing your pads to a lower dusting pad would also help. VWs are notorious for nasty brake dust and PITA to clean rims.



Sorry, I would have to humbly disagree. I have a 2001 VW Jetta and the brake dust is a BREEZE to clean off. A little P21s or Meguiars #36 and it rolls right off with slight agitation from a chenille wash pad. After I used Wheel Wax, the brake dust barely sticks. A little GC and water and it comes off in a second. An absolute joy to wash and keep clean. My Saab on the other hand is a pain in the kisser!

[LOTA OT]

Spilchy - I have a 2002 Passat with the Wellington wheels which are painted/clearcoated aluminum and I agree with you, they are super easy to clean, especially after a coat of selant.



But there are some VW wheels that are not so easy to clean (I don`t theink they are clearcoated), so that`s one of the reasons I aske which model wheel he has. Those wheels are usually pretty easy to find cheaply.



Michael

[imported_Auto Concierge]

I can`t help with the refinishing info, but there if you decide to get new rims, there is no need pay $400 plus. There are lots of places to get them cheaper. Which model VW rims do you have? If you don`t know the model a pic or a description would help.



If you know of somewhere to buy a set of FOUR quality 16" or 17" alloy rims for cheaper than 400 bucks, they gotta be stolen. Or I`d like to know where you`re buying them.



Spilchy and mpauly: I think what he means is that the VW`s are known for creating excessive brake dust, which they are. I just was negligent with my rims for too long, letting the dust bake on before trying to remove it. Yeah yeah, you`re supposed to take care of your rims, but people with Camry`s and Tauruses who don`t give 2 sh!ts about their car have cleaner rims than me! :o

[LOTA OT]

Originally posted by Triumph

If you know of somewhere to buy a set of FOUR quality 16" or 17" alloy rims for cheaper than 400 bucks, they gotta be stolen. Or I`d like to know where you`re buying them.



I thought you only had 2 bad rims and were looking to replace them with OEM VW rims. And yes, depending on the model, you can definitely get 2 for less than $400. Heck, some of the models like Swings, Boogies and Tangos can easily be found for less than that for a whole set of 4.



If you are willing to go used, on a Passat site I frequent people post all sorts of OEM wheels for sale. Someone right now is selling a set of Wellingtons (15" 9 spoke alloys) with tires for $400 with only 10K miles and no scratches. Lots of people there upgrade to 17", 18" or 19" rims and just want to get rid of their stock setup to offset the cost.



I was just asking which rims you have as I might be able to point you in the right direction to finding cheap replacements. If that`s not an option your interested in, I understand.



Michael