Clear Coated Wheels

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Newfguy

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I'm not sure where to post this, so I will start here. I have a 2006 Monterrey Red Corvette with aluminum wheels (Not chrome). I believe that these wheels have a clear coat over them, and they have lost a lot of shine. Is it possible to strip the clear coat, and polish these wheels? If so, what would I use? Thank you
 
Treat them like you would treat paint.
 
Will they polish to a good shine without removing the Clear coat?
 
Post photos and others should be able to chime in. Removing the clear coat is asking for trouble. At least that is my opinion.
 
If they originally looked good, you should be able to polish them back to that shine (presuming that the clear hasn't been compromised by salt/corrosion). As Guz says, removing the clear is asking for trouble. I had a similar set of GM wheels that I had refinished at one of the premier wheel refinishers on the east coast, if not the country, and they didn't repolish them to the same "color" (shine, in polishing lingo) that they had been previously, and unfortunately I didn't put the wheels back on the car for a long time and didn't realize how dull they were until I had the center caps back on. No one will ever mistake my wheels for chrome again, that's for sure...they actually look more like silver painted now.

PS If I had known it was going to play out that way, I would have polished them myself after they stripped them. Do you drive yours in the snow? Are the barrels painted? Do you have black brake dust from driving down the block?
 
I have a picture, but it's not all that good. The Wheels are just getting "Dull". I drive the car in the winter, but not in actual snow, but yes, I would say that they get salt on them. The Barrels are not painted, they are factory wheels. I do get brake dust on them, but that is going to change this weekend, as I an replacing the Rotors, and going with ceramic compound pads
Here is what they looked like when I bought the car (used) a little over 2 years ago. They are not as shiney now as they are in this picture
View attachment 49047
 
Newfguy said:
I have a picture, but it's not all that good.

View attachment 49048
Click to expand...
It is difficult to tell from the picture if these
wheels are either the QG7 or QX3 option.
------------------------------------------------------
For example:

In the below picture...It's even kinda difficult
to tell which wheel option is on the 2007 I had.

View attachment 49050
-------------------------------------------------------

BTW:
Do you still have the build sheet/window sticker?


Bob
 
I would only strip off the clear coat from the factory wheels if they have clear coat failure. If the clear coat is in great shape and just oxidized then treat them like the paint surface of your car.
Clean - Polish - Coat
 
I believe that I have the window sticker at home. What would I be looking for?
 
How can you tell if painted clearcoat or powder coated? Powder Coated surfaces don't necessarily the same as paint. I have some freshly powder coated rims but they are very complex design. May I suggest you do test spot on barrels and go from there.
 
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