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[Br0]

Don't over complicate this OP, it's not hard. If you want it fixed take it to a wheel repair shop...it doesn't matter if it's clear coated or not they know what to do and if it's a good shop they will match the other 3 no problem, I've done it numerous times with expensive forged wheels. If you dont want to pay the 1 bill, don't get it fixed. Trying something yourself is going to lead to bad results.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by Br0

Don't over complicate this OP, it's not hard. If you want it fixed take it to a wheel repair shop...it doesn't matter if it's clear coated or not they know what to do and if it's a good shop they will match the other 3 no problem, I've done it numerous times with expensive forged wheels. If you dont want to pay the 1 bill, don't get it fixed. Trying something yourself is going to lead to bad results.

The more I dig into this, this might be the best answer...

My car is a DD, and rims are used, If I am expecting perfect looking wheels than I am crazy - I am not, hence why I bought used. The wheels look awesome - except that that on the chrome lips on the 2 rear wheels - minimal curb rash and the black paint has no nicks or scratches in all 4 wheels. Seems almost a waste to spend $200 repairing the 2 rear wheels when I barely paid mroe than that for all 4...

I was just looking for a "cheap and quick" DIY to get the wheels new looking, not sure if I want to spend 200 bucks to have them refinished.... and where I am OK doing work myself, stripping the polish off the lips and trying to re-surface them completely seems more than I want to get involved with...

was kind of hoping for some magical mother's polish that can fill the nicks in, polish the lips, and protect the wheel...


...maybe I should just be asking how to maintain their current coniditon and not have them get worse... there is NO rust, and I want to keep it that way...

[PSUSMU]

Do it once, do it right.

Options:
1. Don't do anything (free)
2. Do it yourself
- Use aircraft stripper or sandpaper to remove the clearcoat ($10?)
- Apply new clearcoat ($10?)
3. Have a shop professionally refinish it ($100?)

Up to you. Option #3 is doing it right. Option #2 is the cheap route.
You can't go the cheap route and expect great results.

[VMRWheels]

To the OP. As everyone stated, you'll need to make sure if there's a clear coat or not. I haven't seen something like that happen to a polished lip before so it makes me think that the clear coat is bad.

If it's cleared - You can either sand it down by hand to remove the clear or use chemicals to strip it. Make sure to go in only one direction if you go with the sanding method. OR, you can use aircraft paint remover but if you're not careful, it'll strip the paint off the face of the wheel too. It's like acid that you brush/spray on and it'll start to strip the clear/paint off. Amazing stuff, extremely strong. (Careful, few seconds on the skin and it'll really give you a nasty burn so use protection :P )


If it's not cleared - Simply use some elbow grease and polish&polish. You're going to need to polish it anyway if you're going to remove the clear and this is the product I recommend:


It's not a MUST for reapplying the clear coat. Just remember that if you have bare metal, it's exposed to the air/elements and it'll slowly oxidize and not look as shiny. All you'll need to do is simply re-polish it. I hope this helps you out!


-Don

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

To the OP. As everyone stated, you'll need to make sure if there's a clear coat or not. I haven't seen something like that happen to a polished lip before so it makes me think that the clear coat is bad.

If it's cleared - You can either sand it down by hand to remove the clear or use chemicals to strip it. Make sure to go in only one direction if you go with the sanding method. OR, you can use aircraft paint remover but if you're not careful, it'll strip the paint off the face of the wheel too. It's like acid that you brush/spray on and it'll start to strip the clear/paint off. Amazing stuff, extremely strong. (Careful, few seconds on the skin and it'll really give you a nasty burn so use protection :P )


If it's not cleared - Simply use some elbow grease and polish&polish. You're going to need to polish it anyway if you're going to remove the clear and this is the product I recommend:


It's not a MUST for reapplying the clear coat. Just remember that if you have bare metal, it's exposed to the air/elements and it'll slowly oxidize and not look as shiny. All you'll need to do is simply re-polish it. I hope this helps you out!


-Don

What about if the lips are clear coated, but it seems the "nicks" have scratched the clear off. if I rub my hand across, the nicks "indent" into the wheel... what polish can I use? I dont want to harm the lips if they are cleared.

[zeenon53]

Those aren't rock nicks, that's the cheap clear coat showing age. I had that same problem with a set of axis wheels I had a few years ago. I taped off the entire face of the wheel and used the aircraft remover, sanding with take much longer. The clear coat will instantly flake off with the aircraft remover. After you remove the clear you will have to polish the wheels at least once a month or the raw metal will start pitting very fast. I recommend stripping it off and re clearing the wheels. It will be mush easier to maintain.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by zeenon53

Those aren't rock nicks, that's the cheap clear coat showing age. I had that same problem with a set of axis wheels I had a few years ago. I taped off the entire face of the wheel and used the aircraft remover, sanding with take much longer. The clear coat will instantly flake off with the aircraft remover. After you remove the clear you will have to polish the wheels at least once a month or the raw metal will start pitting very fast. I recommend stripping it off and re clearing the wheels. It will be mush easier to maintain.

... instead of stripping the polish that is already on it off, can you just try to "polish" the effected areas and then get a clear coat pen or something to cover them up?

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

... instead of stripping the polish that is already on it off, can you just try to "polish" the effected areas and then get a clear coat pen or something to cover them up?

No, stop trying to cheap out. We told you your options.

[zeenon53]

Not going to happen.

[AllBlackBimmer]

.... ok then what about protecting them so they don't get worse...

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

... instead of stripping the polish that is already on it off, can you just try to "polish" the effected areas and then get a clear coat pen or something to cover them up?

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

.... ok then what about protecting them so they don't get worse...

There isn't much you can do to make it better. Best bet would be to strip the clear coat off and polish the metal underneath.

[bmw325i]

Can't you just wetsand the clear to remove it. I know it would take longer but you won't have to worry about messing it up. Using aircraft stripper I'd be worried about stripping the paint off the face.