Went a little crazy with the pressure washer on wheels.

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zarmstrong92

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Hello,

I posted this on the Audi forum, but didn't get much of a response. Not sure if it matters, but they are 19" OEM Audi wheels. Yesterday I was pressure washing the inside of my wheels that were almost pitch black from all the brake dust. The pressure washer worked fantastic for that, but then I got carried away. I pressure washed the front of the wheels, which also worked fantastic, but a little too fantastic. Luckily I only did it to two wheels. One wheel is very minor, and the other I would call mild/moderate damage. Basically it took some of the finish off of the lip of the wheel. I have included a picture of the wheels I have, although I could not find a paint code online anywhere. I have read that others have used silver Toyota touch up paint for Audi wheels, but I would like a little more advice before I go down that route. I may just buy some of that paint and try it on a small area if I can't find an exact paint match. I’m hoping I can find some paint and use an air brush to paint over the small spaces that need refinishing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

View attachment 48523

I can provide pictures of my actual wheels showing the damage if you guys think it would be beneficial.

Thanks
 
Dosent surprise me . I've seen paint stripped off before ,particularly with high pressure machines. I would take the rims in to a wheel repair shop they will fix it, likely cheaper than buying new
 
postaltwo said:
Dosent surprise me . I've seen paint stripped off before ,particularly with high pressure machines. I would take the rims in to a wheel repair shop they will fix it, likely cheaper than buying new
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The damage isn't really noticeable enough to warrant spending $100-$150 per wheel to have it professionally repaired. If I can find correct paint, it shouldn't be too difficult to do with an air brush. Just looking for solutions other than professional repair or replacing wheels.
 
what PSI was the pressure washer you were using?
 
zarmstrong92 said:
I read that Wurth Silver paint is no longer a "one size fits all" for German wheels?
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That may be, but paint codes (and touch-up paint) are impossible to find for wheels, as you have already found. Where are you located?
 
I've seen this personally on paint and read about it on various forums. If you get too close with the pressure nozzle on painted body panels, alloys or other wheels, trim, plastic, glass...you may do damage to them.

I stay 1-2 feet from all body panels.

How close did you get?
 
I'm wondering if those wheels were already "refinished" by the mobile dealer wheel guy. Have you had the wheels since new?

I had "dealer dude" refinish my wheels (was a freebee paid for by dealership) and the clear coat peeled off within a month. Then I paid to have them done right.

Factory wheels are powder coated - which is significantly tougher than paint sprayed from a gun. Of course, something could have went wrong with the factory powder coating process.

Pressure washers are very safe for factory wheels... Assuming this is an electric pressure washer and not some 4000 psi gas monster.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I have done this, luckily it was on my friends beater, so ever since then i have learned from that.

I now no longer try to do alot of cleaning with the pressure washer, i just keep it about 4 feet away get obvious lose dirt, and do the majority of cleaning with soap/tools.

The pressure washer isnt going to get the tire/wheel 100% clean if really dirty anyway.

Be happy it was just the wheels and not the paint, now you know to reapect the machine.
 
swanicyouth said:
Factory wheels are powder coated
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with that, I mean it may be that some factory wheels are powder coated, but not all. I used to think they were, but you and I go to the same wheel place, one of the owners corrected me and told me it's just paint. That's not to say that they don't powdercoat there, but it's not even an option for the factory-match wheels (I asked). Even on their price list it's "paint & clearcoat aluminum wheel".
 
zarmstrong92 said:
Hello,

I posted this on the Audi forum, but didn't get much of a response. Not sure if it matters, but they are 19" OEM Audi wheels. Yesterday I was pressure washing the inside of my wheels that were almost pitch black from all the brake dust. The pressure washer worked fantastic for that, but then I got carried away. I pressure washed the front of the wheels, which also worked fantastic, but a little too fantastic. Luckily I only did it to two wheels. One wheel is very minor, and the other I would call mild/moderate damage. Basically it took some of the finish off of the lip of the wheel. I have included a picture of the wheels I have, although I could not find a paint code online anywhere. I have read that others have used silver Toyota touch up paint for Audi wheels, but I would like a little more advice before I go down that route. I may just buy some of that paint and try it on a small area if I can't find an exact paint match. I’m hoping I can find some paint and use an air brush to paint over the small spaces that need refinishing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

View attachment 48523

I can provide pictures of my actual wheels showing the damage if you guys think it would be beneficial.

Thanks
Click to expand...
what color was the tip of the wand.Thats really hard to do,unless you were using like 4000 psi.sorry to hear that.
 
swanicyouth said:
Factory wheels are powder coated - which is significantly tougher than paint sprayed from a gun. Of course, something could have went wrong with the factory powder coating process.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI, factory Audi Wheels are painted and clear coated not powder coated. The factory stuff is tough as nails too.

The upside to all this happening is it could be an opportunity to buy dedicated summer wheels and some Pilot Super Sports :) You'll thank me later.
 
VISITOR said:
what PSI was the pressure washer you were using?
Click to expand...

It was a 2800 PSI gas pressure washer.

jmsc said:
I've seen this personally on paint and read about it on various forums. If you get too close with the pressure nozzle on painted body panels, alloys or other wheels, trim, plastic, glass...you may do damage to them.

I stay 1-2 feet from all body panels.

How close did you get?
Click to expand...

I got a LOT closer than that..... No bueno.

swanicyouth said:
I'm wondering if those wheels were already "refinished" by the mobile dealer wheel guy. Have you had the wheels since new?

I had "dealer dude" refinish my wheels (was a freebee paid for by dealership) and the clear coat peeled off within a month. Then I paid to have them done right.

Factory wheels are powder coated - which is significantly tougher than paint sprayed from a gun. Of course, something could have went wrong with the factory powder coating process.

Pressure washers are very safe for factory wheels... Assuming this is an electric pressure washer and not some 4000 psi gas monster.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. I just bought the car and all the wheels were "fixed" by the dealer shortly before I purchased it. How much did you have to pay to get them fixed correctly?

GSKR said:
what color was the tip of the wand.Thats really hard to do,unless you were using like 4000 psi.sorry to hear that.
Click to expand...

It was a red tip, the strongest one provided.

pdqgp said:
Just an FYI, factory Audi Wheels are painted and clear coated not powder coated. The factory stuff is tough as nails too.

The upside to all this happening is it could be an opportunity to buy dedicated summer wheels and some Pilot Super Sports :) You'll thank me later.
Click to expand...

As much as I would love to do that, I just cant justify spending 2k-3k on wheels and tires that I will have to store in the winter for a car I will only keep for 2 years.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I have to disagree with that, I mean it may be that some factory wheels are powder coated, but not all. I used to think they were, but you and I go to the same wheel place, one of the owners corrected me and told me it's just paint. That's not to say that they don't powdercoat there, but it's not even an option for the factory-match wheels (I asked). Even on their price list it's "paint & clearcoat aluminum wheel".
Click to expand...


90% or more are just paint not powder coat. If you blew the finish off, I am wondering if those wheels were repaired, are you the original owner?

Dealerships use hacks to repaint wheels in the parking lot. Our service dept had some jackass paint a wheel and when the mechanic went to balance the tire(he used brake-clean to clean the area for the stick-on weights and air compressed air to dry the area), the paint blew right off.
 
99monguse said:
90% or more are just paint not powder coat. If you blew the finish off, I am wondering if those wheels were repaired, are you the original owner?

Dealerships use hacks to repaint wheels in the parking lot. Our service dept had some jackass paint a wheel and when the mechanic went to balance the tire(he used brake-clean to clean the area for the stick-on weights and air compressed air to dry the area), the paint blew right off.
Click to expand...

I think this is your answer from the OP:

zarmstrong92 said:
I just bought the car and all the wheels were "fixed" by the dealer shortly before I purchased it.
Click to expand...
 
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