Milky staining on rims?? How bad is this?

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Matador

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So I picked up these rims recently for a good price....but I failed to notice these stains on the wheels. They were pretty dirty so that probably covered it up. These stains are consistent on all 4 wheels unfortunately.

Used Griots heavy duty wheel cleaner, cleaned most of the tar in the wheel wells (they were filthy), but was left with the faces having some 'milky' stains on the spokes. I tried compounding by hand with a MF towel w/ Sonax Max Cut. It didn't do a thing!

So....I thought why not post pics here for some answers? LOL

My only fear is the wheels are too messed up.

Anyone seen this before? It looks like the past owner used something like acid that atee through the finish is what I was thinking...granted these wheels aren't in the best shape. I am just bummed I couldn't do more to 'bring them back' some....

I think these were his 'winter wheels' too..so maybe the stuff they put on the road?

Pics:

IMG-7045.jpg


IMG-7046.jpg


IMG-7047.jpg


IMG-7048.jpg
 
Not sure what that is....either something they picked up on the road or damage caused by an acid wheel cleaner would be my guess. Did those wheel come off of a Mercedes? If you got them cheap enough, there are places that refinish wheels....I've seen them do some amazing things.
 
It's more than likely from someone using harsh wheel cleaner on it when the wheels were hot and let it sit on too long, I've seen it before just like that.

I would use a compound and then polish...use a powerball I don't think hand buffing will cut it.

On another note, are those S4 wheels? I had a 2013.

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Cleankat said:
It's more than likely from someone using harsh wheel cleaner on it when the wheels were hot and let it sit on too long, I've seen it before just like that.

I would use a compound and then polish...use a powerball I don't think hand buffing will cut it.

On another note, are those S4 wheels? I had a 2013.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Acid js what I was thinking too. :(

I do have a powerball laying around somewhere for when I had aluminum polished lipped wheels for an older Mercedes Benz I had years ago...

I also have GG6 that I could put the 3 inch pad adapter on to try that out...is that any beter you think?

briarpatch said:
Not sure what that is....either something they picked up on the road or damage caused by an acid wheel cleaner would be my guess. Did those wheel come off of a Mercedes? If you got them cheap enough, there are places that refinish wheels....I've seen them do some amazing things.
Click to expand...
Came off an Audi. These are Audi S5 wheels.

Refinishing would be nice...but for the amount I paid...probably not the best option as it would have me in the hole... :(
 
Cleankat said:
It's more than likely from someone using harsh wheel cleaner on it when the wheels were hot and let it sit on too long, I've seen it before just like that.

I would use a compound and then polish...use a powerball I don't think hand buffing will cut it.
Click to expand...

Agree. I think it is something like a very strong wheel cleaner which ate away the finish or at least etched it pretty bad. I have a feeling a previous owner let the wheels get really bad, nuked them with a really strong cleaner which did the damage, and then they let them get really dirty again.

Does it feel rough to the touch? You can try to polish them out like with a Powerball, but if the clearcoat and possibly the paint underneath are etched, you won't be able to get them looking much better.

Might be time to get them powder coated.
 
Thank for that. Yea--the stains don't feel rough. Clear is still there. It's just damn hard lol. May even try wet sanding. We'll see. Powerball first with Sonax Max cut.
 
Matador said:
Acid js what I was thinking too. :(

I do have a powerball laying around somewhere for when I had aluminum polished lipped wheels for an older Mercedes Benz I had years ago...

I also have GG6 that I could put the 3 inch pad adapter on to try that out...is that any beter you think?







I don't think a 3" pad will do much good. Obviously you don't have a 1", so the next best thing is a power cone. Last resort would be your fingers.

Do a test spot with a mf wrapped around your fingers and a light compound..if that doesn't do anything you will just have to live with it.
Click to expand...
 
Are these OEM Audi wheels or replica Audi Wheels?

I see what looks like chemical stains, but it also looks like the Hyper Silver top layer is wearing off and you can slightly see the Black finish underneath on the sides of the spokes. If you've already tried cleaning them and compounding them and didn't help than I would say get them powder coated.

Good luck!
 
Matador said:
Refinishing would be nice...
but for the amount I paid...probably
not the best option as it would have
me in the hole...
Click to expand...
•Have you given any thought to contracting
a mobile wheel-repair business to re-finish
the wheels?
-Most offer very reasonable pricing;
along with Guarantees.


Bob
 
Bobby B. said:
Are these OEM Audi wheels or replica Audi Wheels?

I see what looks like chemical stains, but it also looks like the Hyper Silver top layer is wearing off and you can slightly see the Black finish underneath on the sides of the spokes. If you've already tried cleaning them and compounding them and didn't help than I would say get them powder coated.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
These are OEM wheels. Thanks. That's what it may look like at this point.
Rsurfer said:
I don't think a 3" pad will do much good. Obviously you don't have a 1", so the next best thing is a power cone. Last resort would be your fingers.

Do a test spot with a mf wrapped around your fingers and a light compound..if that doesn't do anything you will just have to live with it.
Click to expand...
Ironically, I did do just that....MF towel on my finger with the sonax max cut...did NOTHING. :(

Going to try the power cone or potentially even do a light wet sanding to see if it does anything....but looks like I may be screwed....but we'll see.

FUNX650 said:
•Have you given any thought to contracting
a mobile wheel-repair business to re-finish
the wheels?
-Most offer very reasonable pricing;
along with Guarantees.


Bob
Click to expand...
It's a thought...but at this point for how much I paid, If I can't get these stains out myself, I may just try and re-sell for the price I bought (which is actually a fair price). If I get the wheels refinished, I'd probably be losing money. :(

EDIT: May try some steel wool even! At this point what do I have to lose? haha
 
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