Rims + Salt =
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Rims + Salt =
So there is a picture of the damage that salt will do to stock XLT rims. The clearcoat is bubbled and I can peel some off with my fingers.
I'm thinking that I can strip the clear off them and polish them up. Either way they won't get any worse.
The question is this: What would you use to get the old clearcoat off them? My brother suggested sandblasting them, but I'm not sure if it'd screw up the rims themselves.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
HI Pete,
Here's a link to a pretty cool tech tip I found on how to restore a wheel link this.
http://www.flashoffroad.com/features...on_wheels.html
Here's a link to a pretty cool tech tip I found on how to restore a wheel link this.
http://www.flashoffroad.com/features...on_wheels.html
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: eastern shore,MD
it is going to take a lot of work to pol;sih those rims. i tried it on another truck i had. IMO you should just save up and get a new set. to polish right you will need a clay bar of different grits and a small power buffer, and then some good metal polish. speedy polish is what the trucker guys use around here on there rims and fuel tanks(works real good) as far as getting the clear coat off. you could try a good wheel acid,or go to a body shop and get there paint remover. sandblasting with some superfine sand would work but might leave some pits not sure never done that to any rims.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
Thanks man.I'm thinking about trying it on my 04 Jeep Cherokee wheels. I live up here in New England and they're all pitting right where the wheel weights were.
I clean these wheels all the time too even in the winter,nothing stops the stuff.
I clean these wheels all the time too even in the winter,nothing stops the stuff.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: eastern shore,MD
i will have to try that trick, i have never had any luck with polished rims. always had bad spots or got real dirty real fast, mainly brake dust pitting them. thats why i went with a black rim the last time i got rims!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
My thoughts are this:
Try to polish them and if they come out good use them year-round.
If they come out crappy I'll save up for a new set of rims and tires but save the old ones for use during winter. First snowstorm to after a few rains once they've stopped salting.
Try to polish them and if they come out good use them year-round.
If they come out crappy I'll save up for a new set of rims and tires but save the old ones for use during winter. First snowstorm to after a few rains once they've stopped salting.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
The car wash soap has waxes built into it that tend to haze the wheels over,so by using the dish soap only on the wheels,it would help to keeep them clean and strip of any wax of impurities.
You don't want to use it on the main body of the car because it'll strip the wax off.
The mother's mini polishing ball works good too.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 4
From: Suffolk, VA
Dang, that looks like a neat trick. I've got nothing to lose. I was going to find some new wheels but just taking off the clear coat might work. My wheels aren't corroded, the clearcoat is just peeling off. Might save me some $ and trouble.
you can't fix stupid!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 2
well since im a powdercoating freak i am going to suggest getting them sandbalsted then PC'd. then you can get whatever color you want. my guy even has a "chrome" color thats actually pretty good but the powder will hold up real well against all the road grime and salty stuff............
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 643
Likes: 3
From: North Branford
It will take some elbow grease to clean up those rims. It can be done. A good paint stripper is your friend. After the clear coat is stipped. Some wet sanding of the bad spots. I start with 600 grit and finish with some 1200 grit.
Now the fun stuff. Polish. keep polishing until it looks like a mirror.
The only problem is that with no clear coat the wheels will go to hell quickly in the winter
. You might want to use a different set of wheels for winter use.
Now the fun stuff. Polish. keep polishing until it looks like a mirror.
The only problem is that with no clear coat the wheels will go to hell quickly in the winter
. You might want to use a different set of wheels for winter use.
