Alloy Rims
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 622
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From: Lincoln, NE
Sort of. Theres a place locally that does that. Really all you can do is polish polish polish. If the pits are deep, theres not a lot as far as I know. But a thorough polish job will remove the bulk of the small scuffs, scratches, and imperfections.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,191
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From: New York
Aluminum alloy's are tough for that problem. They are nice looking but do start to pit if you let them sit. Like twelvealpha said, superficial pits can be buffed out. If your's are deeper, you might want to look into a place that refinish's rims like "AAA Rims" Once you get them done though, a clear coat would be a good idea.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
There are places that will "rebuild" alloy rims. They will fill the pitting, straighten as needed, polish and clear coat the rims.
This is one place - I don't recommend it over any other, just posting the link as an example: http://www.rimpro.com/
Do a google search on alloy wheel repair
The only drawback is that you will be without wheels until thet repair your set.....and of course it ain't cheap.
This is one place - I don't recommend it over any other, just posting the link as an example: http://www.rimpro.com/
Do a google search on alloy wheel repair
The only drawback is that you will be without wheels until thet repair your set.....and of course it ain't cheap.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,130
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From: Massachusetts
I have the pre-05 lariet wheels. They are bright polished aluminum. The clear coat has fine scratches and the wheels have damage from lead wheel weight addition and removal. The damage has dented the aluminum, caused the clear coat to peel, and turn the exposed aluminum blackish grey.
I called a local wheel shop near me for a strip, polish, and re-clear. I was shocked. These wheels brand new from Ford run about $450 each. Aftermarket reproductions go for about $250-275. The wheel shop quoted me $375 per wheel.
I called a local wheel shop near me for a strip, polish, and re-clear. I was shocked. These wheels brand new from Ford run about $450 each. Aftermarket reproductions go for about $250-275. The wheel shop quoted me $375 per wheel.
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17
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Use paint stripper to remove the cleat coat then sand out the gouges and polish the wheel. Clean all surfaces and reclear coat. Make sure you use the clear coat for wheels. Costs much less than sending it out. I am doing this to a set of summer wheels this week.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 278
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From: MINNESOTA
Oldtom my spots are more then gouges its like the surface has lifted in spots and they are rough pitted areas(not many) up to the size of a 50cents piece, almost like its a chromed surface but there factory rims so I think there aluminum alloy. How thick is this clear coating and if this is what your talking about then what grit paper do you use and what to polish with?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2007
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First you need to make sure they are alloys, use a magnet. Some factory alloys were polished and looked like chrome and others were brushed finish. All were clear coated to protect the finish. The clear coat is several mills thick. My wheels got small nicks in the clear coat and over time the dirt and water got under the finish and lifted it. Now some areas are 1-2 inches in size. The stripper is removing the clear. Make sure before you paint that you clean ALL surfaces to be painted our you may have adhesion problems. A paint job is only as good as the prep work. The use 320 grit for the gouges and progress to finer grit until the repair matches the surounding area. You should feather the repair as you would body work on a fender.
Last edited by oldtom; Feb 13, 2007 at 07:15 PM.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 278
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From: MINNESOTA
Thanks OldTom I think I will give it a try when the weather warms, Wondering if I would strip the clear coat and sand and polish with out the clear coating would that be like some of the wheels come and you would have to use a mag polish of some kind of polish more offen.