Repairing a curb rashed wheel

[Rogue Leader]

Hey guys, so I posted int eh general forum about curb rashing a wheel and got some good suggestions which I used to try and fix it myself. 2 of the scrapes came out perfect, but the last one not so much. It was much deeper and on the face of one of the spokes. As you can see after a lot of sanding I could not completely get all the gashes out. I decided to give up and finish it so I completed the process and clearcoated, since I can always just start sanding again.

My other issue as as you can see the area doesn't match in shine and tone to the factory part of the wheel. Did I not sand enough? Not polish enough? I used the following grits 150, 180, 320, 400, 1000, 2500 (these were all i could get) and I used Noxon metal polish.

Any tips? I have some other scrapes I'm gonna work on once I figure this one out.

[2LTRS]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46149

Find a place like this near you..

[PHEOX]

Dealerships have people that can do it. My Dad got his curb rash fixed at his work, which is Volkswagon/Audi. Chevy dealerships should have a guy no matter what, because many people want painted bowties.

[midnighter]

I did the same thing to my polished stock 20"s on my 2004 Dodge Ram. My wheels, and I am pretty sure yours too, come clear coated. This is why the shine will differ if you sand through the clear coat. What I ended up doing is buying Klean Strip's aircraft paint stripper and carefully brushing it on the whole wheel face. I avoided getting any on the tire and on the valve stem. After 10 minutes I washed the wheel off with a garden hose with spray nossle until all the paint stripper comes off. I was surprized to see that with all the clear coat removed, the wheel looked almost like chrome plated. So I did the other 3 wheels and they bling like chrome wheels. Only thing you will need to do periodicaly is to polish them with mothers aluminum polish when they get dull after some time. Mine have not got dull in over 2 years. On another great note, if you get scratches and minor stuff, you can now sand it, and polish it all even again and again.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by 2LTRS

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46149

Find a place like this near you..

The place near me wants $125 per rim. And they take the wheel overnight. There is noone else around here. Not only that all 4 of my rims have this. I am not spending $500 to fix my rims when I can do it myself. And I don't have the time to lose my car for a day.

Originally Posted by PHEOX

Dealerships have people that can do it. My Dad got his curb rash fixed at his work, which is Volkswagon/Audi. Chevy dealerships should have a guy no matter what, because many people want painted bowties.

Yes its the place I mentioned above.

If I wanted to get the rim fixed by someone I would have just done that. I am trying to do it myself, so if you have a suggestion as to how I can finish this myself, great. Otherwise don't bother. The suggestions I got so far in the other thread were great and I am halfway there, now I just need some finishing touches.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by midnighter

I did the same thing to my polished stock 20"s on my 2004 Dodge Ram. My wheels, and I am pretty sure yours too, come clear coated. This is why the shine will differ if you sand through the clear coat. What I ended up doing is buying Klean Strip's aircraft paint stripper and carefully brushing it on the whole wheel face. I avoided getting any on the tire and on the valve stem. After 10 minutes I washed the wheel off with a garden hose with spray nossle until all the paint stripper comes off. I was surprized to see that with all the clear coat removed, the wheel looked almost like chrome plated. So I did the other 3 wheels and they bling like chrome wheels. Only thing you will need to do periodicaly is to polish them with mothers aluminum polish when they get dull after some time. Mine have not got dull in over 2 years. On another great note, if you get scratches and minor stuff, you can now sand it, and polish it all even again and again.

I had a set of rims on my Trans Am like that, and I am almost inclined to do that. I know it is the clearcoat that is the issue, however I don't think I even got the shine on the metal right and I want to know if its the sanding or the polish I didn't do enough of. Once thats done I think I can get the clearcoat on there to match up somewhat.

[midnighter]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

I had a set of rims on my Trans Am like that, and I am almost inclined to do that. I know it is the clearcoat that is the issue, however I don't think I even got the shine on the metal right and I want to know if its the sanding or the polish I didn't do enough of. Once thats done I think I can get the clearcoat on there to match up somewhat.

I just sanded until the scratches were gone, then I knocked it down with finer and finer sand cloth to finish with 2000 grt. Then I had to put some elbow grease into it by polishing the area with mother's aluminum polish. I chose not to reclear coat them.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by midnighter

I just sanded until the scratches were gone, then I knocked it down with finer and finer sand cloth to finish with 2000 grt. Then I had to put some elbow grease into it by polishing the area with mother's aluminum polish. I chose not to reclear coat them.

This is likely what I didn't do enough of... Well now I know my project for next weekend!

[Rogue Leader]

Anyone, any other ideas?

[PHEOX]

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

The place near me wants $125 per rim. And they take the wheel overnight. There is noone else around here. Not only that all 4 of my rims have this. I am not spending $500 to fix my rims when I can do it myself. And I don't have the time to lose my car for a day.



Yes its the place I mentioned above.

If I wanted to get the rim fixed by someone I would have just done that. I am trying to do it myself, so if you have a suggestion as to how I can finish this myself, great. Otherwise don't bother. The suggestions I got so far in the other thread were great and I am halfway there, now I just need some finishing touches.

Sorry to bother you. Most dealers or shops don't charge NEAR that. And I completely understand taking pride in doing something like this yourself. The best I can tell you is to go back and sand more. For getting the clarity back, try and find some 3000 grit. I don't know if you have tried, but ask Junkman about what polishes he would recommend. He isn't completely bias to Adam's, so trust that he will give you a reasonable solution. Honestly, he's the first person I would ask. Good luck!

[oldfriend]

IT WILL NOT MATER THE 3000 # YOU WILL HAVE TO GET RIDE OF THE GROVES FIRST THEN ONE CAN THINK IN MAKE IT LOOK NICE

[PHEOX]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

IT WILL NOT MATER THE 3000 # YOU WILL HAVE TO GET RIDE OF THE GROVES FIRST THEN ONE CAN THINK IN MAKE IT LOOK NICE

That's what I am saying. Let me rephrase, FINISH off with the #3000. Obviously the #3000 will not have anywhere near enough cut to get those grooves out.

[Rogue Leader]

Originally Posted by PHEOX

That's what I am saying. Let me rephrase, FINISH off with the #3000. Obviously the #3000 will not have anywhere near enough cut to get those grooves out.

Do you think maybe I should go down to 100 to start and work my way back up?
No matter how much i worked it this was the best I could get with the 150 on those grooves.

Or maybe I just need to hit the gym? lol

[Chrisrp454]

Search is your friend.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...highlight=coon