Need Advice Restoring Faded Black Satin Rims

[Thatllbuffout]

Hi All, First Poster Here.

Been detailing cars for a bit over 10 years with a stint of doing it professionally. I've recently been given a 2010 Jeep Wrangler. The previous owner didn't much care for exterior washing outside of the occasional tunnel wash. They put these HELO rims on it, which actually look decent when new, but are now completely faded. The center cap gives you an idea of the color the entire rim is suppose to be. I'm assuming this fading is caused from whatever crap detergent the car washes used and of course UV fading. The HELO website markets these as Black Satin, which I've actually never had to detail/restore.

I've tried reaching out to HELO on maintaince tips but they have never responded and do not have a customer service number that I can see. I've tried a 3M compound on a small hidden spot and it makes the rim shiny black instead of satin. I've also tried a high quality wax which didn't do much. Anyone have experience and can recommend something to restore these rims? I may just compound all of them and live with shiny black rims. Thanks all.

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[JDGolden]

I have no advice on making them satin, but I'd hit them with the compound and live with the shiny black. Have any pics of the test spot? How about the whole Jeep?

 

[FUNX650]

I've tried a 3M compound on a small hidden spot
and it makes the rim shiny black instead of satin.

I've also tried a high quality wax
which didn't do much.

I may just compound all of them and
live with shiny black rims.

•That’s a lot of intricate, hard to reach areas
to try to compound/polish so that the entire
wheel will have the same level of black sheen.

-But if you have the equipment/tools/accessories...
you never know what you can do unless you try.

Anyone have experience and can recommend
something to restore these rims?


I've recently been given a 2010 Jeep Wrangler.

•Since I have neither the equipment/etc.—or
the patience—to even attempt such a project:
-those wheels would be taken to a Powdercoater
first thing Monday morning.

-That, IMO, would be the perfect gift
for a vehicle that was gifted to me.


Bob

 

[fly07sti]

I have had great success with McKee’s paint prep polish on faded black wheels and smooth black trim. But I agree with Bob about having them powder coated. If you have the time and patience, Polish them and then coat them with McKee’s wheel coating.

 

[JDGolden]

On second thought, I agree with others, have them powder coated.

 

[spazzz]

IF you have the scratch, powder coat.

Otherwise kiss some hours goodbye. You will be pleased after it's done.

I did matte black new VMR710s with Menzerna HC400 and CarPro Essence Extreme to bring them more semi gloss
I then coated with CQUK3.

Then I made the mistake of bringing them to Firestone to get my tires mounted.
They messed up one of the fronts with the bar, like a lathe went at it for 120 degrees.