Shining Polished Alumium Wheels
#21
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: Hopatcong New Jersey
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I have a bent aftermarket wheel, whereas the 13 year-old factory wheels were still in good condition when I sold them several weeks ago.
Luckily the guy who balanced it for me in Arizona on my last trip out there was really good. Between rebalancing the wheel and a good four-wheel alignment the shake I had to deal with on that trip is gone. I wouldn't think or know the wheel was bent if I hadn't seen it for myself.
Luckily the guy who balanced it for me in Arizona on my last trip out there was really good. Between rebalancing the wheel and a good four-wheel alignment the shake I had to deal with on that trip is gone. I wouldn't think or know the wheel was bent if I hadn't seen it for myself.
#23
Advanced
Thread Starter
That's pretty much what mine are like, they're not horrible and certainly not past the point of redemption, but as they are, after going all Adams on the car, they definately don't add to the cause. Thing is, I love the simplicity of the thin spokes and the overall proportion of the OEM wheels. It could be a long, long winter. Or I could send them out but I don't even know if you can chrome plate aluminum. The car isn't quite a daily driver but it would reduce the care.
#24
Racer
Member Since: Nov 2006
Location: Tampa Bay Area, U.S.A. (Zombie Nation)
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Once thin spokes get stoned pitted unless you spend several hundred to get them stripped and recoated you'll need to strip them yourself with aircraft grade stripper (coating is tough) and keep them polished yourself. It's a big job but they'll look better than brand new minus the coating. Just try to stay out of salty environment. If you can do that you just need a few hours of touch up once a year to keep them really nice.
#25
1st Gear
Member Since: Nov 2012
Location: North Granby CT
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Small, dark pits in corners of spokes
My 2001 C5 is a high mileage car and the wheels are really in 99% good condition. From 5-10 feet away they look fine. I would like to do something about these tiny pits which obviously are through the clear coat and oxidizing the aluminum. Can I polish just these local areas and then keep them waxed to "stabilize" the finish? Also, I need to polish the inside of the rims as they have clearly not been maintained. Any preferred polish?
thanks, Tractorjimm
thanks, Tractorjimm
#26
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If the clear coat on your factory wheels is getting cloudy, not much you can do to clean it up other than strip it off and re-clear.
#27
Melting Slicks
Ever one has an opinion and that is great. I had a set of high polished aluminum 5 spoke no clear coat loved them but every time I had to clean them my hands were done for days. had them for 10 years. could not deal with them no longer. sorry if 800 is cheap that is what I got and easy to clean. this is my third set of wheels