Should I Strip the Clear Coat off my Rims?

[DodgeViper01]

Hey Guys:

I am having my wheels refinished and the gentleman working on them asked me if I wanted to have the clear coat stripped off. What should I do? Without the clear coat, the wheels shine like never before. Opinions please.

Thanking you in advance.

Keith

 

[Ulysses]

He has to strip them to re-finish them anyway. THe question is do you want to have them re-apply a clear coat. They do shine nicely without the clear, but then again, I spend a lot of time polishing them. It's a real PITA that I have to do much more often than I'ld like.

 

[onerareviper]

How often do you drive the Viper? Do you drive in the rain?

If you answer 'frequently' and 'yes', I would personally get them clear coated. Polishing wheels is back-breaking and a PITA!

 

[DodgeViper01]

Oh man. Darn. I could imagine. But the shine is just so much better in my opinion. Does not seem like it is worth it. Keep the opinions coming.

Oh and ONERAREVIPER, I drive it often (15,*** last year) and once in a while in the rain. Maybe once a month

 

[99 R/T 10]

If you don't coat them, the brake dust may work into the pours of the wheel, will become very difficult to get out. I would get them re-coated.

 

[Matt M PA]

Friends of mine run a mag wheel store and advise EVERY customer against ploished wheels that are not cleared as the upkeep, even on a lightly used car is a nightmare.

 

[Bernard]

Get them chromed, that looks way better than a clear coat and it's very easy to clean.

 

[Anthony - 98 GTS]

Get them chromed, that looks way better than a clear coat and it's very easy to clean.

Bingo - #1 choice. If not - get them coated.

 

[ViperJohn]

If you are putting 15K miles a year, definately get them clear coated if you don't do chrome.

Polished aluminum wheels will oxidize quickly when exposed to the elements.

 

[onerareviper]

If you love the 'shine', I agree, get them chromed. And yes, the brake dust is a b*tch on raw aluminum. You'll get water spot as well that mix with the brake dust and inbed into the aluminum. I had this problem with a set that I sold. I was able to get the shine back with hours and hours of sanding/polishing (per wheel) before I sold, but I don't want to go that route again. Clear coat, powder coat, or chrome if it's a driver, IMO. A garage queen or track wheels get whatever looks/works best....

If you're up to the task of polishing every month, I've found Mother's or Eagle aluminum polish works the best. Wenol is good as well.

 

[01sapphireGTS]

ditto. If you like the shine chrome them, if you don't like chrome, get them recoated. Wheel upkeep is no fun, especially on a car that gets driven.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Chrome is too bling. Ever see chrome on a race car?

High polish and clearcoat is the way to go.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Sounds good guys. Thanks for all the info. Looks like I will be clear coating them again. Any other opinions?

 

[Shelby3]

Sounds good guys. Thanks for all the info. Looks like I will be clear coating them again. Any other opinions?

Yeah, You need to focus on getting your "A" game back on the golf course and quit worrying about your wheels.

 

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Is the chroming out of the question? I don't think it is all that expensive.
Really like the looks of that after seeing BO KNOWS car at Tators(stood right out from the stock wheels) and is what I plan to do to mine when I put a few more scratches on them. Everytime I even pop the center caps off,I seem to add another little scratch.

 

[Firecat F7 Viper]

Yeah, You need to focus on getting your "A" game back on the golf course and quit worrying about your wheels.

[/QUOTE]
LOL...

 

[DodgeViper01]

Yeah, You need to focus on getting your "A" game back on the golf course and quit worrying about your wheels.

That is too funny! I will try my best to get the game back on track.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Everytime I even pop the center caps off,I seem to add another little scratch.

Put a piece of electrical tape between the tool and the rim.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Finally made the choice and kept the clear coat on. The wheels are done and they look great. Thanks for the feedback guys. I am glad I decided to keep the clear on as I can not imagine having the horror stories some of you told. Now I just have to refrain from washing the car for a few weeks so the clear coat can settle. Oh well I will be gone for several weeks anyway so it should be fine.

 

[Nasty 10]

Chrome them! I just had my HRE's chromed at www.calchrome.com and they are awesome

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

How can I re-clear coat mine in Florida?

Had my wheels done by turbax. Over $500 striped and polished and the job looked rushed. But I found out that weekend at Homestead that they didn't but any wax on the wheels afterwards. So the first time I washed the brake dust off, they got water spots imbedded in them. Took me hours, per wheel, to get off. Was very pissed, and they still have some spots that will not come off.

Any how, need a company that will re polish and clear coat. Turbax said them do not clear coat or know of anyone that does.

 

[Ulysses]

Wheels America.

 

[garolittle]

Get them chromed, that looks way better than a clear coat and it's very easy to clean.

Yes. Chrome looks great!

 

[DLTARNU]

"Yes. Chrome looks great!"

Anyone got a pic of the 18" 5-spoke wheels after being chromed? Maybe even a side-by-side with polished aluminum for comparison?

 

[DodgeViper01]

Chrome looks great but it is pretty expensive and if you get curb rash I heard that they usually charge quite a bit to fix.

 

[JWVIPER]

Gotta tell you, just had my rims refinished for those who know my car, the lips are polished now with no clearcoat (had them originally) and they look great and they are easy to keep, but I have 4 cars and only use it for fun and it is back in the garage clean again. If you use it more often than just for fun I would stay with the clear coat.

 

[Bo knows]

Instead of worring about stripping, polishing, refinishing, & clear coating, for a little more money just pull the trigger & get them chromed. All the above mentioned are just poor mans chrome. Your driving a Viper, do it right !!

Bo knows

 

[DodgeViper01]

Chroming was too expensive.