Scratched Wheels

[treynor]

I can't speak for each year's wheels, but my '01 wheels are just polished aluminum. For non-painted AL wheels, the fix for these scratches and minor curb rash is easy.
If the scratches are minor, they can be polished out. Get a tin of AL / Metal polish at your local car parts store, and after cleaning the area(s) involved, rub with a terry cloth.
If the scratches are deeper (i.e., they catch your fingernail), then first sand them gently with 1000-grit, and follow that with polish as described above.

 

[MES]

I second Steve above, if you have a clearcoat be very careful. Sorry I don't know of a solution.

 

[viperdoctor]

If they are clear coated, just treat them like regular scratches.

Use something like 3M's Microfinishing Compound to remove the scratches and then shine the clear coat with 3M Finesse It....Available at car paint supply stores.

 

[Ulysses]

You may well have chrome wheels if you bought used, but Gen II wheels came polished aluminum with clear coat. If they are light scratches, meaning you really can't catch a finger nail in them, you can use as Ben suggests metal polish (has to be a very fine abrasive) or, as viperdoctor suggests, a 3M compound.

If you can catch a finger nail in it, unless you know what you are doing, leave it alone. You can take those out with sand paper, but I wouldn't use 1000 grit, I'ld use 2000 grit wet sand (I believe you can get it in a tube). BUT!!! If you don't know what you are doing, you will take it down to the aluminum real quick. The clear coat on the wheels is really thin at some places, especially the curves. At the curves, it is very possible to take it down to the metal quickly even with metal polish.

In either case, though, there is the danger of completely going to the aluminum. Using fine abrasive metal polish or 3M compound will do the same thing as sand paper, just takes longer.

So keep this in mind if you are thinking about doing this yourself or you can be safe and live with it. Another alternative, if you have the means, is to send it off to have it repaired by a wheel shop that is recommended by someone here. I'm sure John Purner will know a good place to take it.

Personally, if it was my wheel, and they were light scrathces, I'ld live with it.

I know, it's your new baby and it ***** to have a scratch on it, but it's like Uncle Sam sticking you with a big tax bill or having to drive in traffic. It *****, but it's eventually going to happen.