[SlowSix]

Well, since my car accident, my wheels currently look like hell.
Any ideas on what I should do? Try to buff them? Paint them? They're the machined aluminum (I think they called it "satin" ) finish.

pics of the scratches

[brokenweasel]

I'm going to guess they're clear-coated, and they definitely look like it. At that point if those scratches are as deep as I think they are, you're going to have to wet-sand them out but even then you're risking getting down to bare metal. You may have to re-clear them, but give them a shot with a DA or a rotary and some compound and see what happens

[SlowSix]

They're OEM 03/04 cobras, satin finish. So I guess they're clear coated? They seemed like it.

If I wetsand and then clear coat would that work out to get them to look decent?

[brokenweasel]

Originally Posted by 01SilverSixer They're OEM 03/04 cobras, satin finish. So I guess they're clear coated? They seemed like it. If I wetsand and then clear coat would that work out to get them to look decent?

I'm almost positive they're cleared. Do you have any buffer experience? Rotary or dual-action orbital? I would use one of those with some 4" pads and see where that gets you, but I'd say you'll probably need to wet sand. The problem is that rattle-can clear coats will take some time and work to make them look good, lots of wet sanding. And honestly, if you don't take the wheels down to bare metal it might not look perfect with multiple layers of different paint.

So my line of attack would be:
1. DA orbital with cutting pad and M105/compound
2. Wet sand 1500-2000
3. DA orbital again, polishing pad and M105/compound

See how deep the scratches are, see what happens. If you have experience with and access to a rotary, you can try that but I can't help you with that.


I have rattle-can clearcoat on my truck wheels and its lasted almost 2 years so far (outside 24/7), but the rims are painted green and look crummy regardless.

[SlowSix]

I don't really have much buffing experience, but do have a buffer.
I would most likely have a friend of mine who does a bit of painting/body stuff to help me out though.

[whyxitx]

plasti-dip?

J/K

[MothersPolish]

Try some Scratch Remover, like Mothers California Gold or any trusted brand, and see how it responds.

A PowerCone works pretty good with this and doesn't require much experience other than how to use a drill at low speeds (e.g., set gear range to low and pull the trigger). Work it with finesse.

That should make a pretty good improvement without wetsanding or compounding.

Apply a wax or plastic polish afterwards for protection, but the Scratch Remover should clean it up quite a bit.

[SlowSix]

I'll probably give the scratch remover a shot and see what happens.

[SlowSix]

Scratch remover definitely cleaned them up, but the scratches are still pretty visible.

[dannyboy281]

After pics

[SlowSix]

I'll get some tomorrow. The picture in the first post and the wheel I worked on aren't the same one though lol

[SlowSix]

after pic, sorry for the flash. As you can see, it cleaned it up a bit but they're still rather visible. (this was one of the less scratched wheels)

[Alente]

Plasti-dip them =P
would like nice on gray.

[SlowSix]

I'm thinking about painting them black, but I'm probably going to wetsand with like a 2000 grit first and see what happens.

[swift~six]

Wetsand, then mother's aluminum polish. That stuff will polish it to a chrome-like finish.

[dannyboy281]

Originally Posted by 01SilverSixer I'm thinking about painting them black, but I'm probably going to wetsand with like a 2000 grit first and see what happens.

When you polished with Mother Scratch Remover did you get alot of black residue while polishing? let me know this and then I can help you further But dont start wetsanding just yet.

[SlowSix]

Originally Posted by dannyboy281 When you polished with Mother Scratch Remover did you get alot of black residue while polishing? let me know this and then I can help you further But dont start wetsanding just yet.

black residue? hmm. maybe a little bit but very little. Should I be getting a residue? I cleaned the wheels beforehand.

[dannyboy281]

Originally Posted by 01SilverSixer black residue? hmm. maybe a little bit but very little. Should I be getting a residue? I cleaned the wheels beforehand.

I ask this because if you did get black residue that meant they were non-coated. But since you weren't getting any this means your wheels are clear coated and you will have to use a compound then follow up with a polish to get them looking good again. But your going to need one that is for paint not metal surfaces since they are clear coated I suggest you go to your local auto parts store or walmart and get yourself the following products an use them in this sequence.

Mothers Wheel & Tire Cleaner - to clean your wheels prior to compounding / polishing

Meguiars Ultimate Compound - if you have a d/a polisher use is if not then get your self you microfiber hand applicators or a Autoglym perfect palm applicator to compound with by hand. Your going to need to use very heavy pressure while compounding using back and forth motions only not circles.

Meguiars Ultimate Polish - your then going to use this to remove any hazing left from compounding using medium to heavy pressure using the same method.

Lastly your going to need a wax or sealant for your wheels. I suggest you get Meguiars Brake Dust Barrier its new and in an aerosol can if you can find it get it. If not Armor all makes there version its not as good but will help out dont over apply it because I hear it leave behind a white residue on wheels (its not anything to worry about as it can be washed off but it affects the look/shine of your wheels) This is the only time I will suggest using an armor all product.

Meguiars Endurance Tire Shine Gel or Mothers Protectant - you have to shine up those tires to get a nice over all finish so get something decent like these that are not super greasy. If your get endurance get use it sparingly I hear its pretty glossy, which I personally dont like.

Optional Mothers Mini Powerball or Cone if you have a drill to use will make compounding and polishing them alot faster and easier. I would probably use the mini ball because your wheels have a mostly flat surface to work with. I didnt suggest boutique products for you because you can achieve the results your looking for with the OTC products I suggested.

[SlowSix]

repped, I'll give that a shot and post some after pics!

[MothersPolish]

In a case like this there's a balance between removing the scratches and maintaining the integrity of the finish -- sometimes you can't do both.

My cautionary statement is that polishing aggressively with a machine on such a narrow surface like that is very likely to breach the clearcoat, especially on the edges, and in the long run that may open up a can of worms because you lose the integrity of the finish and it may peel.

If you remove that clearcoat from only the face by wetsanding and polishing, you still risk that peeling/lifting into the charcoal painted area in the future as they see weather and age.