anodized wheels: how to remove these spots?

K

kepani

New member
i have a set of anodized volk te-37's. when i took my car to a dealer, they accidentally used some sort of harsh chemical on the rims (not sure what it was) that "tarnished" the finish.



does anyone have a definitive way of getting the finish back to normal? see pictures below.



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face of spoke has a white hard residue



30929579.jpg


notice spots on sides of spoke - they don't rub off



30929580.jpg


lip of rim has a "lathed" surface - white residue again



30929581.jpg


another spot near lug nut



30929582.jpg


more spots near lug nut



i've tried a 1:1 (simplegreen:water) solution; sprayed on dry and let soak for a few mins. however, the residue is still stubborn.



any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated. i've been trying to deal with these stains for several months and still can't seem to find a way to get rid of them.



thanks in advance.



kepani
 
Are they clearcoated? have you tried some metal polish?



edit: actually, since the dealer messed them up, make THEM pay for it. as I recall, those rims would be EXPENSIVE to replace.
 
nonameo said:
Are they clearcoated? have you tried some metal polish?



edit: actually, since the dealer messed them up, make THEM pay for it. as I recall, those rims would be EXPENSIVE to replace.
Click to expand...



they are not clearcoated. bare metal. but they have that "rough" anodized finish. i have heard to try metal polish, but wanna try something less severe if it is possible.



any tips on applying the polish?





the dealer won't fix them. :( i already fought... :mad:
 
I would NOT use metal polish - it will remove the anodizing.



I believe you are SOL. I have yet to find anything to fix marring of an anodized finish.
 
ps, I still don't understand why they don't clear coat their wheels. I've seen some volks in real bad shape after a few years
 
kepani:



I know this is a complete derailment of the thread, but I have to ask... do you have your original ITR wheels? Mine are pretty scuffed up, and I might get them re-powdercoated. However, I'd also like a set of wheels for the track, so if you have some mint condition ITR wheels then I could use my old ones for the track.



Let me know if you have the originals, and sorry for the derailment-- I really don't know what would help your situation.
 
Kepani if forrest can't help you ..I'd suggest that the place that marred them should rectify the problem.. why should you suffer accident or not. The tire dealer accidently marred one of my wheels .. he acknowledged it and replaced it.
 
Logik said:
kepani:



I know this is a complete derailment of the thread, but I have to ask... do you have your original ITR wheels? Mine are pretty scuffed up, and I might get them re-powdercoated. However, I'd also like a set of wheels for the track, so if you have some mint condition ITR wheels then I could use my old ones for the track.



Let me know if you have the originals, and sorry for the derailment-- I really don't know what would help your situation.
Click to expand...

logik - sorry, but i'm planning on keeping mine. ;) but thanks for the inquiry. :)





i stand corrected as far as the clearcoating. from another web forum, i was able to find out that these rims are actually clearcoated. it sounds as though the clearcoat was damaged. i'm going to try some 3m imperial hand glaze and see if it helps. hopefully the clearcoat can be "replenished". :(



thanks for the precaution forrest! won't do it.



as for the dealer issue, i'll have to try once again. :mad:



kepani
 
The problem is you'd most likely need to have clear proof that they weren't messed up prior to getting serviced and/or an admission of guilt from the dealer : (
 
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