spankis Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 (edited) Sooooo, I bought a set of used wheels for my truck. Bought from an individual, used paypal. 3 of the 4 wheels look fine, the 4th has something going on with the clearcoat I believe. Before I file a grievance with paypal or question the guy about it, what is the deal here? I haven't tried anything really aggressive on them before I get some more info, just soapy water and some rubbing. They looked almost exactly the same before and after. It's my understanding that the wheels are forged aluminum, polished then clearcoated.... One of the good ones: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0363.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0359.jpg The bad one: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0362.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0358.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0360.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0361.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0357.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0356.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0355.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0353.jpg I'm a obviously a little bothered. Thanks in advance for the help. Edited August 10, 2012 by spankis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 That really looks like degreaser etching the clear. I bet it would buff right off with a paint polish.... still sucks Example: http://my.is/forums/f171/suggestions-taking-waterspots-out-wheel-418831/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 That really looks like degreaser etching the clear. I bet it would buff right off with a paint polish.... still sucks Can you be more specific on what product/process I might use? I had planned on wash/clay/polish/clear... but I wanted to stop and document the issue first. Edit: I see you added a link, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Yeah I have not personally buffed anything in a while so there are others who would know the pad and cut to use on them. Would be like someone spraying degreaser on a hood! Same type of correction IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Anybody else have any input, or a specific product to try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Scott, are these chrome, bare aluminum or clear coated? That will determine what you should use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Andy, I think etching like that would only happen on bare metals. I say just us a wheel polish on them... it's not that difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 It's my understanding that the wheels are forged aluminum, polished then clearcoated.... Scott, are these chrome, bare aluminum or clear coated? That will determine what you should use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Yea based on my research before I bought them, they are a polished aluminum with a clearcoat. They are made by Alcoa, who I've always thought is known for producing quality wheels. If I can fix it fine, if I can't then I need to follow up with the seller/paypal. Sounds like maybe the guy used something he shouldn't have on one wheel then stopped before he ruined the rest? Or is this something that can just come from neglect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Andy, I think etching like that would only happen on bare metals. I say just us a wheel polish on them... it's not that difficult. That's what I was thinking too, but I re-read his post where he thought they were cleared. IF they are cleared try a paint clearner first (Meguiars ColorX or #1 of the 3 stage are good, readily available options). If that doesn't work then step up to an abrasive polish like Meguiars scratchX also readily available. IF they are not cleared good old Mothers metal polish should work. or hell I'm not exactly right around the corner but if you stop over tonight I can try to fix...I'll be headed out of downtown at 4:00 if you can meet then and that's easeir. whatever works. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Andy thanks for the info and the offer. I will give it a shot myself first but I'll let you know. I have some scratch-x, but I'll try the color x first as suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted August 10, 2012 Report Share Posted August 10, 2012 Andy thanks for the info and the offer. I will give it a shot myself first but I'll let you know. I have some scratch-x, but I'll try the color x first as suggested. if you have scratch-x just go ahead and try that first on a test spot. Color-X or chemical cleaners are always a first suggested step for me but they're pretty mild, you certainly won't hurt anything with the scratch-x it may just be overkill but only slightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Well, scratch-x made a substantial improvement. The pad I used quickly turned black though, which seemed odd. There are also several places where the clearcoat is peeling, all smaller than a fingernail in size. I have to wonder what the hell the guy did to this ONE wheel though. For now it's quite passable and a decent fix, so I'll probably go ahead and get tires mounted this week hopefully. If it gets worse over time I'll consider having wheel medic refinish the set, since I don't have a ton in them. In some places the bad wheel actually looks better the good 3, so I'll probably use scratch-x on them as well while they're off the truck. Thanks for the help everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twistedfocus1647545489 Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Maybe he had a caliper dragging and drove around for a while spraying super-hot pad material/dust into the clearcoat. I have seen heavy clearcoat damage from really agressive brake pads before (looking at you, Carbotech), but maybe stock pads could do the same under the right conditions. Seems like no one lubes the fucking caliper slider pins on those silly GM/Dodge products... :gabe: Actually, most of my vehicles have used a similar slider setup. Including the Jeep of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaFark Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 The wheels look like they do not have a clearcoat on them. If you polished it with Scratch-x and it turned black that is a sure sign that there is no clearcoat on that wheel. Buy some real metal polish and those babys will come clean. Unfortunately you will have to repeat the polishing ever so often to maintain the shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Perhaps the small spots I see are actually the little clearcoat that's left? I suppose that could be... I know they have clearcoat on them from the factory. Sounds like I need to get some better pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 The wheels look like they do not have a clearcoat on them. If you polished it with Scratch-x and it turned black that is a sure sign that there is no clearcoat on that wheel. Buy some real metal polish and those babys will come clean. Unfortunately you will have to repeat the polishing ever so often to maintain the shine. This I've done A LOT of metal polishing. Wheels look bare aluminum. used a good metal polish and some time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted August 11, 2012 Report Share Posted August 11, 2012 Perhaps the small spots I see are actually the little clearcoat that's left? I suppose that could be... I know they have clearcoat on them from the factory. Sounds like I need to get some better pictures. If it was clear coated you should be able to tell around the holes for the lug nuts. again I highly doubt its cleared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Okay, so not a great picture, but this shows the improved wheel after using scratch-x: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0823-edited.jpg Hopefully, the rest of these pictures will help solve the mystery of clearcoat or raw aluminum. Here are the bolt holes on the "bad" wheel, as requested: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0824-edited.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0825-edited.jpg Here are the bolt holes on one of the seemingly fine wheels: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0828-edited.jpg Here are what I take to be clearcoat flaking in several places around the "bad" wheel: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0835-edited.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0833-edited.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0832-edited.jpg http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x33/spankis/Power%20Wagon%20Wheels/DSC_0829-edited.jpg Does that change any opinions? Or potentially confirm that there is (or should be) clearcoat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 I was wrong. Clear coated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Here's a color and exposure corrected version of that first photo: http://www.pbase.com/timothylauro/image/145332413/original.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted August 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 Alright so they're clear coated, I'm fine with that then. Clearcoat peel will obviously get worse, but they're perfectly fine for now and pretty much what I thought I was buying. They are a substantial improvement over my steelies, both in looks, weight, and strength. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll get some pictures up once they're mounted. I'm sure everyone is on the edge of their seats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicranium Posted August 12, 2012 Report Share Posted August 12, 2012 I know I am. *fart noise* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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