Refurbishing Polished Alloys

Bill UK · 03-14-2010, 09:24 PM

Some advise please: I have a set of alloy wheels with polished rims (see photo when new) the protective clear coat has just started to lift in some places on the rims, allow corrosion to start. If I refurbish them by stripping the clear coat, re-polishing and then applying a clear coat I will be back to where I started in 12-18 months time. The problem is: being a polished surface there’s less mechanical strength for adhesion of the clear coat. The only options the way I see it are listed below. Appreciate any advise.

1. Forget the shiny bling look and re-spray sliver.

2. Strip the clear coat and re-polish, leave un-protective apart from applying a wheel wax/polish every 1-2 weeks or so.

3. Powder coat with a chrome/black finish, (shadow chrome) probably the same adhesion problems as the clear coat and expensive.

4. Research for a better clear coat, epoxy or solvent based.

cre · 03-16-2010, 01:57 AM

Powder coating will hold up better than most paints. I would contact a wheel refinisher and ask what they're using.

Bill UK · 03-16-2010, 07:36 PM

Most UK wheel refurbishment companies won’t touch polished alloy rims, the few that do don’t clear coat them (only hand wax them) As the lifting clear coat is only on the rims and has only just started, I can strip and re-polish them myself. I was hoping to discover a clear coat that had better adhesion properties, such as in the marine or aviation industries. This looked promising Link but there is no info on the product. I think your right cre powder coat seems to be the only reliable solution.

cre · 03-17-2010, 12:41 AM

The aviation industry is worth investigating further. he company I work for owns a wheel remanufacturing company, but I have no contact with them. I'll ask around and see if I can get a hold of anyone there, but it's doubtful... it's a completely separate entity really.

03-14-2010, 09:24 PM	#1
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	Refurbishing Polished Alloys Some advise please: I have a set of alloy wheels with polished rims (see photo when new) the protective clear coat has just started to lift in some places on the rims, allow corrosion to start. If I refurbish them by stripping the clear coat, re-polishing and then applying a clear coat I will be back to where I started in 12-18 months time. The problem is: being a polished surface there’s less mechanical strength for adhesion of the clear coat. The only options the way I see it are listed below. Appreciate any advise. 1. Forget the shiny bling look and re-spray sliver. 2. Strip the clear coat and re-polish, leave un-protective apart from applying a wheel wax/polish every 1-2 weeks or so. 3. Powder coat with a chrome/black finish, (shadow chrome) probably the same adhesion problems as the clear coat and expensive. 4. Research for a better clear coat, epoxy or solvent based.

03-16-2010, 01:57 AM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Powder coating will hold up better than most paints. I would contact a wheel refinisher and ask what they're using. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

03-17-2010, 12:41 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The aviation industry is worth investigating further. he company I work for owns a wheel remanufacturing company, but I have no contact with them. I'll ask around and see if I can get a hold of anyone there, but it's doubtful... it's a completely separate entity really. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

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03-16-2010, 07:36 PM	#3
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	Most UK wheel refurbishment companies won’t touch polished alloy rims, the few that do don’t clear coat them (only hand wax them) As the lifting clear coat is only on the rims and has only just started, I can strip and re-polish them myself. I was hoping to discover a clear coat that had better adhesion properties, such as in the marine or aviation industries. This looked promising Link but there is no info on the product. I think your right cre powder coat seems to be the only reliable solution.