How do you restore original rims ?

[ReggieD]

How do you restore original rims back a nice looking appearance. I have a 1992 corvette. It has the original rims. The rim’s clear coat appear to be peeling in some places. I also see a discoloration as if some strong cleaner was used which caused run marks on the rims.

What can I do to restore the shine, and or appearance of these rims?
:confused

 

[FourAndAHalf]

you have to completely remove the clear coat, then get some mothers polish and polish them up if you want it to be shiny, forum member slashnick just did his, he has the 84 style wheels though

 

[PaulVette]

I can't remember if 92 had that grayish painted look below the clearcoat. I know my 93 has a machined appearence and 91 had the paint...

If you're just looking to "restore" them with a fresh clearcoat, I believe Mid America sells a restoration kit. I've heard the kit clearcoat isn't as durable as the factory stuff.

Many people go with the strip and polish look like FourAndAHalf mentioned.

Mine are beginning to peel near the centers and I'll probably go with polishing them

 

[44 Mag]

ReggieD

I just went through this with my '90. Had some curb rash on the passenger side wheels when I bought it plus the clear coat was really starting to show some age. Lots of scratch like marks etc.. Started looking for replacement (originals) rims with no luck. GM wanted $800 each for replacement. Found a place in VA/MD that restores originals. First they acid bath them, then make sure the rim is true and not bent, then rebuild and balance the rim. Last step is to repaint sections where they need paint (if originals were painted) and then clearcoat. When I picked the rims up, they had a protective sleeve around both rims as well as the entire wheel was wrapped for protection. They were absolutely beautiful and better than when GM put them on the car. Now they were balanced (no weights, trimmed) and perfectly true. And ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT!
I'm sure you could find someplace closer to you but if you can't, Im sure you could send yours to this same place. Oh, forgot to tell you, cost was $125. per wheel! If you want more info, email me and I'll give you the specifics (name, phone#) Hope that helps some. Best money I've spent keeping my sweetheart original.

 

[dburgjohn]

to ReggieD

Post the companies name or send it to me at dburgjohn@yahoo.com. My wheels need some TLC also!

 

[44 Mag]

Per requests....
HubCap Heaven-703-660-0000 or 888-794-3357.
Charged me $125 per wheel. Results- OUTSTANDING!

I also heard of another outfit, Wheels America-888-4fixrim. Don't know anything about them or their pricing.

Hope that helps....

 

[slashnick]

I used Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish for my 84 wheels. The clearcoat was already gone.

 

[paintdaddy]

Hey reggie d,Talk to nyernga.He striped his with acetone and they look great.

 

[ReggieD]

WHo is nyernga?

"Hey reggie d,Talk to nyernga.He striped his with acetone and they look great."

I will love to talk to nyernga. I need to strip the clear coat off first then I can hand poished the rims myself. Hopefully Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish will work for me too.

 

[FourAndAHalf]

Re: WHo is nyernga?

"Hey reggie d,Talk to nyernga.He striped his with acetone and they look great."

I will love to talk to nyernga. I need to strip the clear coat off first then I can hand poished the rims myself. Hopefully Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish will work for me too.

this is his profile http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=1626

send him an email or something, acetone works great

 

[ReggieD]

I used Mother's Mag and Aluminium Polish for my 84 wheels. The clearcoat was already gone.



How much effort do it take when using Mother Mag and Aluminium Polish. What tools do I use. What is the process, How much work is this process?

 

[slashnick]

ReggieD,

You just rub it on with one cloth until it turns black, then take it off with a clean rag. It's simple. The instructions are on the package. Just don't let it dry on the wheel. It's not that much work. I just washed the rims before I polished them. If you have clearcoat you need to remove it before you polish them.

Check out this thread for some more details, it's where I got the idea.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29170

Good luck, post some pics when your done.

 

[afree]

I have aftermarket rims but had the same problem with discoloration and chipping. I ordered the restoration kit from Mid America and it did a pretty good job. I also use Mothers polish to shine them up from time to time. I did not apply a clear coat yet.