Folks I've got the factory alloys on my SR5 and there is this funky film on them. I can scratch it off with my fingernail and expose the bright shiney alluminum beneath. Is there something I can spray on there or something that will take the film off? I'd rather not have to do the "finger nail" to all 5 rims.

 

I have a buddy that details cars and trucks. He has this stuff that is an absolute mericle worker! He calls it wheel acid? It will taks a horrible lookin rim and make it look brand new in like 5 min. Jst spray it on and hose it off!
-Kris

 

Sounds like brake dust.

 

rubbing compound and elbow grease

 

It's not brake dust. It looks like faded and peeling clear coat.

 

DO NOT USE on aluminum wheels!!!!!!!! Its a sure fire way to ruin a wheels finish. I ran a detail shop in college and we had to fork over 1000 dollar because an idiot sprayed that crap on some polished wheels.

Are you talking about the clear coat finish in the wheels? If so i guess you could strip it off and polish the wheels.

 

You can put the acid on polished alloy wheels, but you gotta IMMEDIATELY wash it off or it will etch them. If you value your wheels, don't do it, although I've never had a problem with it myself. Note that this only applies to polished bare-metal alloy wheels - it won't hurt painted/clear-coated wheels, which most are.

Hit the wheels with some degreaser (Purple Power, Greased Lightning, whatever) and scrub with a brush.

 

Maybe...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcEfqJNMmmU&feature=related[/youtube]

 

Yep, there's your problem.

 

IIRC there is a factory clearcoat on the rims. I remember reading an article about a guy who polished his SR5 wheels by using progressivly finer grit sandpaper. Made them look amazing! Then he used aluminum polish to keep them looking good.

either way, its gonna take some elbow grease and some time...

 

What about media blasting?

 

Possibly, It might damage the surface, depending what you use...

 

You can get aviation stripper from the auto parts store.

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm

Be careful this stuff is very toxic. You may want to get a paper respirator. Brush it on with a disposable paint brush. Give it about 5 minutes to work. The clear coat will wrinkle up. Then hose it off with water. It will remove everything down to the bare aluminum. Once the bare aluminum is exposed you will need to sand and polish it or use an etch wheel cleaner regularly depending on what look you are going for. Eagle One makes a good etch cleaner but you can't use it on polished wheels.

http://www.eagleone.com/pages/produc...=1001&cat=5006

 

I say strip and chrome em

 

Strip and powder coat.

 

Strip...then run around the street screaming "THE END IS NEAR!!".


You may get "media blasted" for that though.

 

And after you go to jail for that, you might get some more funky film on your "rim".

 

Uncalled for!! This was a serious thread before you came along.

 

that might explain the film too...
>shrug<

 

*LOL* Well this thread went to crap in a hurry!