Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

When i bought a set of tires they came with a good set of wheels, only thing is the wheels' clearcoat is starting to spider and crack. How can i fix this? I was going to sand them down but i dont want to leave tons of scratches in my wheels. What do you guys suggest?

Cracking on the bottom part.

warpigg

you can try wet sanding with some like 800 and above sand paper, then just spray more clear coat on them.

HighLux

Try polishing it out? Those are aluminum right?

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

See i'm afraid that the 800 grit is gonna scratch the hell outta them.

What would i polish it out with? And i'm not sure it'd work. But yes they are aluminum.

HighLux

those mothers powerball jobs work awesome. dont last forever....but work great. Then get some aluminum polish....mothers makes some too

warpigg

notice i said 800 and above, and when you wet sand theres less friction so there are less scratchs. try 2000 grit and wet sand it, then im sure that wont scratch them at all.

HighLux

A non ferrous metal should be polished...not sanded to restore its finish.

warpigg

ya but your not sanding the metal your sanding the clear coat, otherwise i would use mothers polish.

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

Yeah i was going to use polish but thought about it and realized i wouldnt be polishing metal i'd be polishing clear coat. That's why i posted up here.

HighLux

Sand away then...

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

I guess, i'm just scared to start sanding away my wheels

HighLux

That is why you should listen to me and polish them with 3 stages of compound.

2DoorRunner

Yeah highlux is right. some decently "rough" polishing/buffing compound should get through the clear coat, then hit them with some aluminum polish if you want it to shine.

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

Alright i guess i can give that a try. You guys suggest Mothers stuff?

2DoorRunner

Mothers is good and has a good rep, but IMO for offroad wheels get whatever is cheap, and leave the expensive stuff for the show cars

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

Yeah true good call. So any buffing wax will work?

2DoorRunner

You can get some liquid buffin compound in bottles, i dont knkow how they rate the grit, so you will have to do a little research, but my guess is that you should get close to the roughest one you can.

Im no detailer so i can only tell about the materials i have used, but that liquid compound should do the trick.

2DoorRunner

This is the stuff i am thinking of.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2141516_buff...-compound.html

It should be pretty cheap for a small bottle. Let me know if it works!
But keep in mind i only THINK it will work, i dont know for sure

Oh and it will coat the wheels in black junk, it happens when polishing aluminum, a rag will wipe it off.

Hope it works out for ya!

2DoorRunner

Why didnt any of us think of this lol

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&h...36e88d83826287

Almost every link on the first page says to use some sort of paint stripper. You can decide what will work better.

Swimmerboy2112

iTrader: (2)

I guess i'll try the rubbing compound and buffing first then if that doesn't work i'll try the paint stripper. Thanks 2DoorRunner!