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Topic: Polished wheels

in Forum: C6 Car Care


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Polished wheels (1/5)
 3/29/11 9:56am
Blu Safr
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schererville, IN - USA

Vette(s):
2006 Lemans Blue convertible - Titanium Grey Interior - Z51 handler


Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 7

So, when I unwrapped my car from heated and dry winter storage, I started my list of clean up and "get her ready" projects. When I got the wheels off, I found them really dirty with brake dust as expected, but they have a host of pitting and small little scratches and other marks. These appear to be chips through the clear coat and resulting typical aluminum corrosion. The chips or dent pits seem to be from small stones and big dust particles going through the rotor and impacting the rim. Undoubtedly other small stones bouncing around must be part of the deal too. Now this car never sees rain and never sees winter so could the aluminum corrosion damage at the clear coat chip sites just be from the heated garage, humidity, etc.? Then, what is the method to prevent the damage to the aluminum and what is the remedy or repair for the yearly wear and tear and damage. Is this as detailed as a wet sanding or aggressive wire wheel clear coat removal and re-coating with new clear coat as the remedy? Is there a firm who specailizes in this type of repair?
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Polished wheels (2/5)
 4/1/11 8:02am
sdlong329
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Vette(s):
2001 Intimidator Corvette Coupe, Torch Red, 6 speed, 17K miles


Joined: 5/16/2003
Posts: 185

While I can't contribute towards the cause, I can comment towards the remedy.  While some owners may have the ability to make the repairs themselves, there are indeed companies that specialize in refinishing alloy wheels.  Most of these facilities have mobile trucks / trailers, and can often make repairs onsite ... though this is sometimes limited to making said repairs at automobile dealerships.  Some of these companies also have pickup and return service (again. sometimes limited to dealerships, or wholesale accounts).  In the suburban Philadelphia area ... these facilities can charge about $85 per wheel (including repair of curb rash and refinish the surface), and up to $150.  Pricing dependings on whether you are wholesale, retail, volume, etc.  Hopefully, others will chime in as to the cause of the problem.

______________
Steven
2001 Intimidator Coupe, 19K miles
Polished wheels (3/5)
 4/1/11 5:38pm
2Cruzn-07
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Poquoson, VA - USA

Vette(s):
2007, Coupe, with Z51 option, AT, Victory Red/Ebony Inter #2 1973, Conv. ,454, 4 Spd Blue Green, Saddle Leather


Joined: 4/1/2011
Posts: 1

Brake dust is a fine powder residue created from the brake rotor wearing away the brake lining. The pads contain carbon fibers, metal filings and an acidic adhesive. It is very sticky and collects in every nook and cranny of the wheel. If allowed to sit on your wheels, the highly corrosive brake dust can pit the metal. Wheels are one part that I keep after regularly. Moisture and brake dust do corrode in my opinion 2Cruzn-072011-04-01 18:41:10
Polished wheels (4/5)
 4/4/11 10:35am
CRMGSCoupe
Former Member

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Camp Hill, PA - USA

Vette(s):
2002 QuickSiver Convertible, 2007 LeMans Blue Coupe, 2010 Crystal Red Metallic Grand Sport Coupe (Heritage Edition). 6 Speed Manual


Joined: 4/7/2008
Posts: 46

Like Cruzin said - the worst thing you can possibly do is leave brake dust on your wheels (for even short periods of time).  This not only goes for aluminum polished or otherwise), but chrome wheels as well.
 
The "clear coat" on your wheels can be removed, and then the wheels polished (recommend you not try this yourself) but unless you stay on top of the brake dust, the pitting will come right back.
 
The scratching likely comes from wiping the brake dust off when dry.  Best to dampen the cloth you use with detailer spray and then lightly wipe it off. Follw that with another wipe using a clean side of the cloth.
 
Brake dust will stay in the cloth, and cause additional scratching - so make sure you always use clean cloths.
 
Polished wheels (5/5)
 4/11/11 9:58pm
Blu Safr
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schererville, IN - USA

Vette(s):
2006 Lemans Blue convertible - Titanium Grey Interior - Z51 handler


Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 7

Thanks,
I'm sure the dust can be a problem and so here I go to remedy the problem.
Hey it's only money!!
Gary
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