Alloy Wheels- correcting scratches?

[AdrenalineJunky]

I have a set of VW alloy wheels. When the tire installer mounted the new tires they left behind wear/scratch marks.

What products/method can I safely use to correct or minimize these flaws?

 

[Twister]

I assume they are clear coated? If they are I would treat them like the paint on your car.

Those machines can do some real damage if the workers aren't careful. I once had a wheel come out with gouges because they ripped off the weights and weren't careful

 

[AdrenalineJunky]

I also assume they are clear coated.. How could I be sure?

I've had high end wheels on other vehicles before and finding someone who actually knows how to mount/dismount tires without marking the rims is nothing but a hassle and still a gamble. You would think by now they would have an error free dummy run system that has next to no chance in marking up rims. Maybe I need to get myself a tire machine

 

[Ron Atchison]

Rub them with some alloy polish. If the rag turns black then no clear coat. I have a little experience polishing alloy.

 

[weavers]

I use ultimate compound and a terry cloth towel. You will be surprised at how well it works. Wheels tend to have deep scratches, but the compound helps clean them up a get rid of some of the scratches. I did this last weekend, had the wheels off and put opti coat 2.0 on them they look sparkling wet.

If you wanna make the job easy buy one of those mother's power balls/cones or the fritz. I would say get the cone so you can get into the smaller parts. I am looking for one that attaches to a dual action polisher. drills aren't that powerful.

 

[Twister]

Yes try some metal polish on a small spot on the the wheel if your applicator turns black then it's not clear coated. If it doesn't have clear then it will give you more options to correct

If you wanna make the job easy buy one of those mother's power balls/cones or the fritz. I would say get the cone so you can get into the smaller parts. I am looking for one that attaches to a dual action polisher. drills aren't that powerful.

I would think a rotary would be better since it doesn't oscillate. The rotation of the DA would make it difficult to use one of those. I've seen an atachemenr for rotarys that allows the use of a buffing wheel but that's the about it

 

[AdrenalineJunky]

RZ- Those look like some nice bikes.. What all do you have there?