Need help with wheel polishing

[HotRod]

I have a 2003 Ford Mustang GT, that has chrome wheels, and I believe they are clear coated. When I bought the car, the wheels were severely scratched, I am guessing its mostly washing induced or they polished them with something too abrasive. They almost look like they have been cleaned with steel wool or a brillo pad.

Here are some pictures.






The wheels actually look worse in person. Now, I have tried a few things to improve the look of these wheels, and here is what i have tried:

Polish with 3 inch griots polisher with orange pad and M105, the results were slightly better, but no scratch removal.

Then I got out my 6 inch griots polisher and used the megs microfiber pad and compound. And the results were no different.

So I grabbed my dewalt rotary with a heavy cut wool pad and M105 and figured this would work, well I was wrong. Then I wet sanded a small area of the wheel with 1500, 2000, and then 3000. After sanding I polished with my rotary and still no scratch removal.

I am coming to the conclusion that the wheels are not going to turn out the way I want them to. Do I need to buy new wheels? Can't really afford to do that right now.

Should I wet sand more with more aggressive grit? I don't want to remove all the clear coat.

Any more suggestions?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I have GM "high-polish" wheels that are the same way. This is the conclusion I came to...when they polished the wheels before they clearcoated them, it was not done to a mirror-finish Autogeekian standard. Therefore what you are seeing are imperfections that are in the aluminum wheel, not in the clearcoat.

 

[Meticulous-Detail]

I think they are done. New wheels or powdercoating is an option. You can find Mustang wheels all over ebay, CL and Stang sites. Don't waste you time and effort. Use these for winter or the track.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I'm sorry...I misread something in your original post--you say those are chromed AND you think they are clearcoated...IMO they are EITHER chromed or clearcoated--not both.

Those do look chrome plated, but I have people try to tell me that my wheels are chrome when they are polished and painted. Here's an easy answer--when you wet sanded, what color did the residue come up? If it was clear/white, it was paint, if it was black it was chrome. Chrome plating is very hard relative to paint, so if the scratches are in the chrome, they are going to be very tough to remove.

PS Your lug holes seem to be a different color than the wheel face which is some clue to the finish. Perhaps inyadreems or another member familiar with Mustang wheels can elighten us as to what the finish on yours is.

 

[HotRod]

I'm sorry...I misread something in your original post--you say those are chromed AND you think they are clearcoated...IMO they are EITHER chromed or clearcoated--not both.

Those do look chrome plated, but I have people try to tell me that my wheels are chrome when they are polished and painted. Here's an easy answer--when you wet sanded, what color did the residue come up? If it was clear/white, it was paint, if it was black it was chrome. Chrome plating is very hard relative to paint, so if the scratches are in the chrome, they are going to be very tough to remove.

PS Your lug holes seem to be a different color than the wheel face which is some clue to the finish. Perhaps inyadreems or another member familiar with Mustang wheels can elighten us as to what the finish on yours is.

When I wet sanded them the residue was clear, as if I were sanding the paint on the car. But the wetsanding did nothing to the scratches. Could somebody have clear coated over the scratches?

 

[HotRod]

I think they are done. New wheels or powdercoating is an option. You can find Mustang wheels all over ebay, CL and Stang sites. Don't waste you time and effort. Use these for winter or the track.

I may just buy new rims when I can save up enough money. I was just wanting to make these rims look better for the time being. I actually like the bullitt style mustang rims better for this body style.

 

[eboose7]

I have a 2002 Thunderbird that has chrome wheels. I believe that the wheels are made of aluminum that has been chrome coated. You can always have the wheels re-chromed, as an option to buying new ones. You may also want to try some Wheel Wax in the interim, since it does fill in some scratches. Good luck whatever you decide.