Winter Damage to Polished Aluminum Rims, Please Help!

[Decepticon1069]

So I drove my Camaro through 1 winter....never again! My polished aluminum rims have a bunch of pits in them, and all the pits are discolored. I will try to get a pic on right away to help show what I'm talking about. Does anyone know how to get these pits out? Or at least get the color out of the pits so that they're not really noticeable?

[rebelyell22]

Will your insurance cover it?

[Decepticon1069]

Originally Posted by rebelyell22

Will your insurance cover it?

No, it's considered general wear and tear. I'm looking to fix it myself.

[myold88]

I clean my polished SS wheels at least once a week bucket style, even if it's to cold
to clean the entire car. My wheels still look new. I figured this is what would happen if I
didn't constantly get the winter salt off of them. There's not much you can do now imo.

[LBJ]

you could try mothers aluminum mag wheell polish it might help a little

[2014CamaroZL1]

Originally Posted by LBJ

you could try mothers aluminum mag wheell polish it might help a little

That may work if the wheels are not clear coated.

My silver 5-spoke ZL1 wheels also look like @#$%! after 1 winter.
The finish must be very cheezy.
I have never had factory wheels look so bad after less than 1 year.
The only real solution is to have them refinished.
When they come off for the summer, I will get them powder coated.

[Diode Dynamics]

You could always clean them, and plastidip them?

It's not the ideal solution, but at least people won't see the pitting and it won't get worse

Nick C.

[Decepticon1069]

Originally Posted by 2014CamaroZL1

That may work if the wheels are not clear coated.

My silver 5-spoke ZL1 wheels also look like @#$%! after 1 winter.
The finish must be very cheezy.
I have never had factory wheels look so bad after less than 1 year.
The only real solution is to have them refinished.
When they come off for the summer, I will get them powder coated.

Yes, I was shocked to see how badly damaged and corroded they were. Seems like polished aluminum is not what it once was...I'm thinking about just putting up with it for another couple years until I need new tires, then I'll buy some nicer rims with new, fatter, grippier rear tires.

[starscream88]

Hate to say, but I don't think there is much you can do about pitting. I have the same problem on the rims on my DD truck, so far so good on the Camaro though. Just be glad they aren't chrome!

[rebelyell22]

powdercoat them? That rotor looks like it's been through hell and back

[Decepticon1069]

Originally Posted by rebelyell22

powdercoat them? That rotor looks like it's been through hell and back

It's just rust build-up. It's been parked since September 2013. First run all the rust on the rotor will wear off.

[Cincy10SSRS]

Originally Posted by Decepticon1069

It's just rust build-up. It's been parked since September 2013. First run all the rust on the rotor will wear off.

I'm a little confused or I missed something... You say you drove thru the winter and your wheels got pitted but in the quote you say the car hasn't been driven since September?

[WelderNut]

Originally Posted by Cincy10SSRS

I'm a little confused or I missed something... You say you drove thru the winter and your wheels got pitted but in the quote you say the car hasn't been driven since September?

X2 besides that get some sand paper and start with something like 400 or 600 and work to 2000 and they will shine better than new
, then re clear and done. If your lazy dont bother lots of work!

[Decepticon1069]

Originally Posted by Cincy10SSRS

I'm a little confused or I missed something... You say you drove thru the winter and your wheels got pitted but in the quote you say the car hasn't been driven since September?

Sorry, I'll explain. I ordered and received my car in fall of 2012 though it is a 2013 model. I drove it through the 2012-2013 winter and have parked it for the 2013-2014 winter. I hope that makes sense.