Calling All Metal Polishing Gurus - Clearcoat Chipped on Aluminum Wheels

[pingable]

Any DIY tips on restoring clearcoat chips on Aluminum Wheels. The wheels halves are polished aluminum so I usually use Flitz followed up with Mothers Billet. Alot of work but I just put on the snow shoes so I have a whole season to get them ready for next year.





Less than a year and I`m sure taking a BEATING on these $$ HRE wheels. See pics below. Two areas are where the clear coat has chipped and it seems as times goes on, it will only get worse. I was thinking about using 2500G wetsand, then 3000Grit Wetsand, blend in & then followup with Flitz and mothers. Wipe it down with prepsol and then just spot respray with Wurth Clear Coat .





Does this sound like a good plan ?



http://alan.home.pipeline.com/hre/clear_1.jpg http://alan.home.pipeline.com/hre/clear_2.jpg

[wash-girl]

Hopefully, one of these links will help:



How To Strip & Clearcoat Aluminum Wheels (http://www.thepontiactransampage.com/clear.html)



Home Guide to Wheel Scuff Repair (http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext43.shtml)

[imported_Aurora40]

Are you saying you use a flitz ball and Mother`s billet aluminum polish on clearcoated wheels?

[lbls1]

I would look for a professional to fix that. Wheel clearcoat (or paint) repair can be more difficult than just dabbing on paint. Wheel clear and paint has to go through a baked on process in order to achieve its tough shell.



At least be prepared if you want to tackle the job yourself. Good luck. I use Flitz and/or blue magic, and that stuff is great too.



HRE if I am not mistaken, will also service your wheels (a friend of mine told me of this with his damaged wheels).

[pingable]

Yeap, I was thinking about using the Flitz & Mothers ONLY on the area where the clearcoat is chipped off / chipping away.



I`ve only had the wheels since March of this year....sending them back is an option but it $$. I plan to get one more season out of them before I send them back to get refinished. I`m thinking possibly next winter, I`ll keep the polished lips but get the centers painted black....

[lbls1]

Did they come cleared or did you have them cleared aftermarket?



Clear on wheels are usually fairly durable. Not saying that it can`t happen, but I`ve yet to see it on mine. I would continue to use the flitz even on the popped area until you can get it fixed.