snowman0920

My '04 coupe has the OEM 5-spoke rims. There appears to be some kind of tarnish starting up in the V between the spokes. Are these rims steel or aluminum? Polished or chrome? And are they clear-coated? Is this damage due to delamination? And is there anything at this point that can done to stop it? Thanks.

Vetteman Jack

If they are the stock rims and have a shiny finish to them, then they are aluminum and are high polished with a clear coat finish. Most likely what you are seeing is the result of age taking its toll on the clear coat. Pics would have helped though. About all you can do if the clear coat is the problem is strip the clear off and then either run the wheels as bare aluminum or have them recleared.

Mike98SilVert

They are aluminum, every Corvette since 1984 came with aluminum rims. If they have the high polished appearance then they have a clear coat finish to protect the aluminum from the elements. If they have a grey appearance then they are painted and have a clear coat finish to protect the paint. Either way treat the finish of the rims as you would the paint on the body. If you can't get them clean then you will need to have the clear stripped and re-cleared or go full polished without paint or clear coat.

3sACROWD

Not to sound overly simplistic but are you sure it isn't just brake dust? Might need some decent cleaning.

I have different rims due to mine being a Z06 but if I do a quick wash job on my rims, that is where the dirt / brake dust remains. If you have metallic brake pads, it will make the rims appear to be rusting.