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I have been trying out different methods for refurbishing aluminum/alloy OEM wheels. Many vehicles have factory applied coatings that develop what detailers call white rust. This I have removed using aircraft paint stripper, after which they looked better but still would require hours wet sanding to polish down to a mirror-like finish. 10 hours to be exact per rim, using various Dremel attachments and polishing compounds.
New wheels run about $700 installed, at least good ones as opposed to the black spare tire look I see on some older vehicles.
Then I stumbled upon this vid, rims of which cannot even be purchased in the size I need for the vehicle:
I made a wheel painting turntable from a 2" dia. wire reel, a lazy Susan bearing and a stand. Put wheel on top and spin to make painting more smooth and even.
I removed one wheel at a time and filed any curb rash on the edge, sanded, masked the tire, and spray can painted, looks good.
I did this on my 88 CRX Si, 95 Del Sol Vtec, and 87 Prelude Si. Its a lot of work, I painted the hubs and calipers too when the wheel was off.
A lot easier to pay a wheel rebuilding shop. You can get most alloy wheels fixed, straightened, and repainted for less than $100 each.
I sent in 2 quotes to local shops for this, $130 each(same cost as new rims). And there is no guarantee their clear coat won't do the same as the manufacturers, white rust out within 2 years.
I sent in 2 quotes to local shops for this, $130 each(same cost as new rims). And there is no guarantee their clear coat won't do the same as the manufacturers, white rust out within 2 years.
That's the problem, you're trying to restore "cheaper" rims. Repair/restore is an option on mostly high end ($300+) rims.
Plastidip is easy and cheap. Can be removed easily if you don't like it. I have done it on some of my older cars and people think its professionally powder coated.
I've had mine professionally repaired before. I have neither the time, skill, nor patience to repair them to look as good as the pros can.
I had two wheels done, cost to repair the curb rash was $250, but they were chrome wheels so then they had to be rechromed, which was another $100 or so. Still cheaper than buying new wheels in my case.
I second the plastidip...They can look good and if you do not like it can be pulled off... And they have a variety of colors
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