?'s about refinishing clearcoat wheels

[Hoytman]

I've got a '98 Buick Regal GS and the wheels are just terrible. The paint and wheels on this car didn't get the best of care over the last few years. The clearcoat has failed, there's some etching and deep scars from wheel weights. Two days ago I sprayed some Meg's all wheel cleaner on them to clean them up just a tad. I didn't waste much cleaner as I knew they were in bad shape. After thoroughly rinsing them I went for a short drive, had a short errand to run.

Today, on the passenger side, I noticed this whitish, silverish looking residue all over my brand new Michelin's. It's almost like that grime embedded into the tires from the cleaner rolling the dirt off of the wheels. I can clean the tires, but I wonder if that gunk that came off of the wheels was from the cleaner contacting bare aluminum?

Now to my main question.

Does anyone know of any online tutorials about refinishing these factory wheels? Products needed to complete the project?

I was in an autoparts store the other day that offered this service for $450 dollars. There's just no way I can afford that at this time trying to go to college and make ends meet for my family. No way! So, if anyone has any suggestions, or knows if or how this can be done I'd appreciate getting pointed in the right direction.

I want to do this right and not skimp. I may have to result to being cheap at this point in life, but I hate re-work. I have access to several large lathes if I need them.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT:
I'll see about getting some pictures posted.

Bill

[Tyrod]

Normally, the clearcoat on wheels is clear powder coating. You can go this route and do the polishing and refinishing yourself. Then take the wheels to a powder coater and have that done. I'd imagine the clear coating alone will run ya about $200.

Another route would be again to the wheel polishing yourself and then use a clear wheel paint. Duplicolor & Eastwood and others supply clear paint specificly for wheels.

Of course, it goes without saying the whole process will be much easier if you take the tire off the wheel. Although, I've know folks that didn't. You'd have to take the tire off the wheel if you go the powdercoat route.

If you have time and not a lot of money then the second option would be your best choice. Search youtube for instruction on how to polish wheels.

[Hoytman]

Here's what the wheels look like after using Meg's All Wheel Cleaner on neglected rims with new tires. Notice the streaking on the wheel below. It looks as if the wheels weren't rinsed enough. They were rinsed until there was no sign of cleaning solution.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels6.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels4.jpg

In the photo below it looks as if some sort of coating is coming off. I assume this is the powder coating someone mentioned.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels1.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels2.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels3.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/800_wheels5.jpg

These wheels were in bad shape, but they actually look worse after getting the brake duse off of them. I guess the cleaning just exposed what was underneath huh?

Any other comments after seeing photos?

P.S.

Kudos to Mr. Phillips for assisting me with uploading photos. Can't wait to do a write up on some paint corrections and write some product reviews. Looks like I'm on my way...hey...hey...hey!!!:awesome:

[Hoytman]

Just went outside and the wife asked me what I sprayed on the wheels to clean them. She said they look worse now than before. I have to agree with her as the streaks and cloudiness wasn't on the wheels before using the cleaner.

[ScottB]

look on Ebay and local UPik it lots ... betcha find some cheaper than professional repair. They were offered in painted and chrome.

[Setec Astronomy]

That $450 was for all 4? The best I can find is $150 each for an exchange for reconditioned (as new) ones. You might ask a local body shop what they would charge.

[C. Charles Hahn]

look on Ebay and local UPik it lots ... betcha find some cheaper than professional repair. They were offered in painted and chrome.

I agree.... plus there are lots of options for wheels that will fit a Regal GS and look better than those stockers ever did.

Did you know, for example, that Mustang wheels will fit and look awesome?

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2329/1601/30820800014_large.jpg

[Hoytman]

That $450 was for all 4? The best I can find is $150 each for an exchange for reconditioned (as new) ones. You might ask a local body shop what they would charge.
Yes, I'm fairly certain it was $450 for all four tires, but I will double check and post my findings. I will say that I didn't see the previous condition of the wheel on display, but they looked like new to me. If they can do it, I'm sure I can do it provided I don't need some sort of oven or the like. I have access to a large machine shop.

[Hoytman]

I agree.... plus there are lots of options for wheels that will fit a Regal GS and look better than those stockers ever did.

Did you know, for example, that Mustang wheels will fit and look awesome?

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2329/1601/30820800014_large.jpg

Yeah, I'm not a real big fan of the stock wheels either Charlie. I just thought it may be cheaper to fix what I have. Then again, it may not be.

I wasn't aware that Mustang wheels would fit, but I never much cared for that style of wheel either. They actually look better on the Regal though than they did on the Mustang IMO. I always thought they made the 'tang look cheap.

My Regal is dark blue and something with some shine would be nice. I'll have to look around some and take my time. What little bit of extra funds I have are going to go towards a polisher so I can clean the paint up on her. I've got some chips to fix as well.

[Setec Astronomy]

You're probably going to want to bead blast, and you might have to turn the lip where they corroded under the weights. I would think about going with a silver so you can sand and prime some of those corroded spots.

[Hoytman]

I would think about going with a silver so you can sand and prime some of those corroded spots.

Not sure I understand this how it is written.

[Setec Astronomy]

Sorry, I'm saying instead of clear paint you should consider silver to hide some of those defects under the opaque paint, and it will allow you to prime and sand to level the defects somewhat.