Question About Corroded Wheels (pic inside).

P

P Rock

New member
I'm thinking about buying these wheels as a second set but as you can see, they're pretty corroded on the machined face. Is this something I can clean up myself or will I need to take it to a professional? I have experience compounding, orange peel removal via orbital etc... but never worked with wheels. 


 


If I choose to take it to a pro, how much per wheel is a fair price to pay? Trying to gauge if this is worth it. The wheels pictured below is the worst of the four and the other three aren't as bad. 


 


Thanks. 


 


c3n9l.jpg
 
Looks like the finish is gone. I think it needs refinishing. But, you might want to try some aggressive compound by hand and see what it does. Otherwise, it usually costs about $125 per wheel to have it stripped, refinished and powercoated. 
 
David Fermani said:
Looks like the finish is gone. I think it needs refinishing. But, you might want to try some aggressive compound by hand and see what it does. Otherwise, it usually costs about $125 per wheel to have it stripped, refinished and powercoated. 
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If it's clearcoated like most newer wheels, then a compound won't do anything though, correct? If it's refinished, will it look exactly the same as when it was new? I mean the color and texture of the spokes as well as the color, finish, and texture of the machined lip. 
 
The problem looks very strange to tell you the truth. Almost looks like mold or dirt staining from the pics. You  really need to try to see if any of it will lift/clean 1st. It could be on the top of the paint rather then underneath. 


 


Is there any paint flaking? I take it this isn't curb rash (does't appear to be). 
 
David Fermani said:
The problem looks very strange to tell you the truth. Almost looks like mold or dirt staining from the pics. You  really need to try to see if any of it will lift/clean 1st. It could be on the top of the paint rather then underneath. 


 


Is there any paint flaking? I take it this isn't curb rash (does't appear to be). 
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All I have are the pictures...I don't have the wheels in person because I'm considering buying them (at a greatly reduced price). Owner says there's no damage, very slight curb rash. You're probably wondering why they're so corroded for being newer wheels (2011). The owner said as soon as he bought the car 3 years ago, he took the wheels off and put on aftermarket wheels so these just sat in a damp basement for 3 years. 
 
I would just factor in the $125 per wheel for refinishing just to be safe. I just don't know what that black stuff is and not sure if it can be cleaned/removed?  
 
David Fermani said:
I would just factor in the $125 per wheel for refinishing just to be safe. I just don't know what that black stuff is and not sure if it can be cleaned/removed?  
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Yeah, I found a place that will recondition them for $100/wheel. But I'm really hoping I can get that crap removed myself...then I'd be stealing these. That outer machined part looks so easy to clean up....a sanding pad and some elbow grease. But the clear coat would make that impossible or more of a task than it looks. 
 
A sanding pad will probably be too aggressive and remove too much of the finish unnecessarily. 


 


If you don't mind me asking, what are they wheels from and what are they going on? I'm in the market for an A3 and I think they would look great on one. :) 
 
Those are off a 2011 S4 and going on my same year S4. They're off the titanium package Audi offered on some models so they're somewhat rare. I don't have the ti package on mine. 


 


I've seen them on an A3 and it looks gorgeous. However these are 19's which may look too big for an A3 BUT there's a very reputable company that makes identical replicas in other sizes and finishes for a fraction of the OEM price. 18" would be perfect on an A3 IMO. Here's the link....scroll down to wheels #10, #11 and #12. 


 


http://hartmannwheels.com/audi-wheels
 
David Fermani said:
 Otherwise, it usually costs about $125 per wheel to have it stripped, refinished and powercoated. 
Click to expand...


 


David, do you know who could properly re-finish a wheel like that?  It's going to be more complex that the typical wheel.


 


Rocks, it almost looks like the wheels were stored face down and they got wet or had been sitting in some kind of mess.  Look at the spoke at 9 oclock.  To me, that looks like peeling clear, but I agree with David, really hard to gage whether any of that may clean up.  Can't you press the seller a bit further about this issue?
 
P Rock- Unless you already know a shop that'll do the work to your satisfaction, I'd pass.


 


Just FWIW, there's no way that the people I've used could bring those back to *my* satisfaction.


 


You might want to check with a company called Wheels Tires and More (sorry, no link handy).  They sell refinished wheels at reasonable prices and their work is good enough to satisfy me (which is saying something).
 
Accumulator said:
P Rock- Unless you already know a shop that'll do the work to your satisfaction, I'd pass.


 


Just FWIW, there's no way that the people I've used could bring those back to *my* satisfaction.


 


You might want to check with a company called Wheels Tires and More (sorry, no link handy).  They sell refinished wheels at reasonable prices and their work is good enough to satisfy me (which is saying something).


 
Click to expand...


 


The shop I know has powdercoated a set of wheels for me in the past and friend's wheels too and those came out perfect ....but those wheels weren't in the condition of the wheel I posted above. Maybe minor damage or curb rash but they didn't look like the ones I posted above. 


 


I emailed Wheels Tires & More...


 


Thanks
 
P Rock said:
Those are off a 2011 S4 and going on my same year S4. They're off the titanium package Audi offered on some models so they're somewhat rare. I don't have the ti package on mine. 


 


I've seen them on an A3 and it looks gorgeous. However these are 19's which may look too big for an A3 BUT there's a very reputable company that makes identical replicas in other sizes and finishes for a fraction of the OEM price. 18" would be perfect on an A3 IMO. Here's the link....scroll down to wheels #10, #11 and #12. 


 


http://hartmannwheels.com/audi-wheels
Click to expand...


 


Thanks for the link. What are your thoughts on running a TT wheel like this on a A3:


 





 


 
tom p. said:
David, do you know who could properly re-finish a wheel like that?  It's going to be more complex that the typical wheel.


 


Rocks, it almost looks like the wheels were stored face down and they got wet or had been sitting in some kind of mess.  Look at the spoke at 9 oclock.  To me, that looks like peeling clear, but I agree with David, really hard to gage whether any of that may clean up.  Can't you press the seller a bit further about this issue?
Click to expand...


 


Here's a few in Boston, but I can reach out to someone in that area if you'd like to see who they recommend. 


 


http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/middlesex-ma/


 


http://www.rimpro.com/index.html


 


http://www.rimpro.com/index.html
 
David Fermani said:
 


Thanks for the link. What are your thoughts on running a TT wheel like this on a A3:


 





 
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I've never been a fan of those TT wheels, they look too old for the car....but they do look very easy to clean :) Scroll through all the Audi wheels on that link I sent, I think there are way better ones on there...all OEM style wheels too. 
 
P Rock said:
The shop I know has powdercoated a set of wheels for me in the past and friend's wheels too and those came out perfect ....but those wheels weren't in the condition of the wheel I posted above. Maybe minor damage or curb rash but they didn't look like the ones I posted above. 


 


I emailed Wheels Tires & More...


 


Thanks
Click to expand...


I would have suggested the same. There is a shop near me that does powdercoating and a friend of mine had his done. They did an excellent job and they only charged him $30.00 per wheel to prep and powdercoat black. 
 
Problem with the wheels posted is the outter lip would need to be remachined to make them look factory.  Thats what is going to cost you the most. 


 


Tom P - wheel repair specialists in peabody ma they do great work.
 
Thanks, Jokeman.  I'm very particular on wheel repairs.  I've use Rimpro in the past and was less than thrilled with their efforts.  It's hard to know who to turn to :(
 
So hard to find people who do this kind of work to a decent standard...


 


Speaking of powdercoating, I had the Addco front swaybar for my P71 (re)powdercoated because Addco's job wasn't satisfactory.  Just test-fitting the positioning rings by hand (didn't even tighten 'em at all) chipped my new powdercoating down to the metal :angry:  [Freakin'] hassle....
 
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