Refinishing Polished Aluminum Rims

[JKVIPER]

Hi, Looking for some advice.


I have an 06 Viper Coupe and have some unusual white crusty patches in the clear coat on the 5 spoke rims. I am not sure what caused this since I garage the car and hand wash it using just car wash soap.

A couple times I have used quick detailer on the rims and not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Anyway, has anyone had their wheels refinished. That is strip the clear coat, re-polish the aluminum and then re apply the clear coat.

Any recommended vendors who do this?

Thanks!

 

[BlackSnake99]

I would consider taking this opportunity to have them chromed. Its a more durable and IMHO better looking finish.

 

[uvbnbit]

Got any pics?
Sounds like corrosion under the clear coat. That would need to be removed. You don't necessarily have to re-clear. Wheel wax/sealant would work after polishing if it's garaged most of the time. (or you could polish a couple of times a year).

 

[Smog Dog]

Motomotion offers the service you are looking for. You can check them out at motomotion.com However, they told me their clear powder coat was slightly different than the factory. That would stop me from doing it, as well as the fact the cost is about the same as chrome. I had some suface scratches that were deep enough you could feel them with your finger nail, and I polished them out with a product called Wicked Metal Polish, which I purchased from Motomotion. Wicked can be reached at 800-276-5474. That may work for you if the problem is in the clear powder coat. If it is, in fact, under the powder coat, I'm sure it will not. If you decide to get your wheels chromed Calchrome in Valencia/Santa Clarita, CA. is the way to go. Good luck.

Bill

 

[dave6666]

+ 1 on you have corrosion under the clear coat. What causes it? Moisture, and the fact that a polished surface ***** for coating adhesion. Water gets under the clear coat or penentrates via microscopic pinholes, and viola, you have corrosion. Also, many soaps can be alkaline - pH >7 - and aluminum is not resistant to that. Best bet for durability is bare polished aluminum or chrome.

 

[intense5.5]

If you want to deal local pm Joe Houss.He recommended a mobile guy to me but I don't remember their name.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Had my wheels chromed by LA Tire and Wheel. Great job and the wheels look awesome. $750 for the set plus shipping.

 

[Malu59RT]

I've had both wheels on the passenger side repaired and re-coated. I can't tell a difference between the wheels (the repaired side actually looks better, since I've got 21,000 miles on the other wheels). I've heard the non-factory powdercoat can be a little more cloudier, but I can't tell. I will be chroming my wheels in the future though.

 

[ROCKET62]

CALCHROME! Night and day difference:

 

[rudedawg]

Can anyone recommend a chroming shop in the NY/NJ area !!!