Accuride/Accu-Shield Aluminum Rims

[scrubs147]

I was approached last week and asked if I could possibly restore some RV Aluminum Rims. These particular rims have a coating on them and do require any buffing of polishing.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo2_zps0a8bcb3a.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo2_zps0a8bcb3a.jpg.html)

However, the coating or clear coat was broken when the lug nuts were torqued to around 425 foot pounds. Once the coating was broken, they became oxidized under the coating.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo_zpsb9d9dfe4.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo_zpsb9d9dfe4.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo3_zpsc3bc0ef9.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo3_zpsc3bc0ef9.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo6_zpsf3ae1d5f.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo6_zpsf3ae1d5f.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo7_zps003506b8.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo7_zps003506b8.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo9_zps2bcf7ee0.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo9_zps2bcf7ee0.jpg.html)

In order to even get to the damaged areas, I first needed to remove the coating from only the damaged areas.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo10_zpsd583a906.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo10_zpsd583a906.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo11_zpsd5ec5c88.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo11_zpsd5ec5c88.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo12_zps24783fde.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo12_zps24783fde.jpg.html)

Here you can see the coating starting to lift.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo13_zps7b244067.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo13_zps7b244067.jpg.html)

In order to keep the Aircraft Remover from spilling over onto other areas, I wiped the remover off using a folded damp rag.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo14_zpsc03d789c.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo14_zpsc03d789c.jpg.html)

Not all of the coating was willing to lift so easily, but with the use of the Aircraft Remover, it made sanding down to the effected areas much easier.

Aircraft Remover is very dangerous, so safety gear is a must such as rubber gloves and face shield. My tools were a rotary polisher with an extension and 3" sanding disks. I started with a 220 grit but would of preferred to start with a 100 grit. The oxidation had deeply scarred the surface and even though the 220 grit was removing it, 100 grit would of had moved things a little quicker.

I followed up with a 400 grit, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, and then a 3000 grit foam sanding disc. Final step was using an 8" cotton buffing wheel followed by some polish.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674

/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo15_zps88d56a5a.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo15_zps88d56a5a.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo16_zps4f4f32de.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo16_zps4f4f32de.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo17_zps9402d4bd.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo17_zps9402d4bd.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo18_zps73780d94.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo18_zps73780d94.jpg.html)

The transition from bare polished aluminum to the coated surface was feathered so there was no visible step, in fact you couldn't even feel the transition.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo19_zps3bd8c685.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo19_zps3bd8c685.jpg.html)

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p674/scrubs405/Aluminum%20Rims/photo20_zps582dc5df.jpg (http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/scrubs405/media/Aluminum%20Rims/photo20_zps582dc5df.jpg.html)

Needless to say, the customer was very pleased. These rims will maintain their appearance as long as the owner keeps them treated with simple aluminum wax/sealant every 6 or so months.

[Just02896]

Nice job! I'm curious though...why didnt you tape off and re-clear the areas that were corrected?

[kochdalton87]

Nice job!

[Pureshine]

Nice work :)

[scrubs147]

Nice job! I'm curious though...why didnt you tape off and re-clear the areas that were corrected?

The lug nuts on this rig get torqued to around 400 Plus foot pounds. This was the main reason that the clear coat didn't hold up in the first place. That amount of torque breaks through the coating and the problem starts all over again.

I contacted Accuride and they said that they have had this problem for a couple of years now which they're working on. When a shop installs these wheels, they're suppose to add a rubber washer between the lug nut and the rim, a procedure that is often ignored by shops. Not only does Accride include include a diagram and instructions, they also tell you that warranty could be voided by not using these rubber washers.

This gets ignored by shops trying to rush jobs, and why Accuride doesn't include a set of these washers with each rim I have no idea. Accuride only warranties coatings on their Accu-Shield rims for 60 months, which in my opinion is a fair amount of time knowing that these rims take a beating.

Between the shop & the customer, I was rushed... they both wanted this done in under 8 hours. The shop didn't want this rig tying up any room on their property as it was one of those last minute squeeze-in jobs (for the shop involved). The customer didn't want to pay extra to have these rims re-coated and I was already cutting into my profits with materials - not by much, but there's an area where you have to say "no" to how far your services will go for the amount of money you're getting paid.

The owner was putting this unit up for sale and simply didn't want to put a lot of cash into this.

[oldmodman]

I wonder if using the new version of Zoop Seal would eliminate the the clearcoat cracking problem.

I have some motorcycle rims that have been raced on the Salt Flats and it's been 20 years since they were Zoop sealed. No further maintenance was performed except for washing with soap and water.

But your removal and polishing method left the wheels looking like new. I hope the owner keeps them clean and waxed.

[scrubs147]

I use the wording "clear-coat" as a substitute to whatever is actually on these Accu-Shields, because I really am not sure what these rims are coated with. I have been told by hearsay speaking voices that the coating may be some sort of a ceramic coating which is suppose to be tougher than clear coat.

Zoop Seal is now called ShineShield and from what their website states, it's good for two years without any polishing, so if you're getting more years of protection from it than that's a good thing.

I have been experimenting with a Poli-Glow product called Aluma Glow, but I haven't really rolled up my sleeves to give it a thorough test yet.

[Just02896]

The lug nuts on this rig get torqued to around 400 Plus foot pounds. This was the main reason that the clear coat didn't hold up in the first place. That amount of torque breaks through the coating and the problem starts all over again.

I contacted Accuride and they said that they have had this problem for a couple of years now which they're working on. When a shop installs these wheels, they're suppose to add a rubber washer between the lug nut and the rim, a procedure that is often ignored by shops. Not only does Accride include include a diagram and instructions, they also tell you that warranty could be voided by not using these rubber washers.

This gets ignored by shops trying to rush jobs, and why Accuride doesn't include a set of these washers with each rim I have no idea. Accuride only warranties coatings on their Accu-Shield rims for 60 months, which in my opinion is a fair amount of time knowing that these rims take a beating.

Between the shop & the customer, I was rushed... they both wanted this done in under 8 hours. The shop didn't want this rig tying up any room on their property as it was one of those last minute squeeze-in jobs (for the shop involved). The customer didn't want to pay extra to have these rims re-coated and I was already cutting into my profits with materials - not by much, but there's an area where you have to say "no" to how far your services will go for the amount of money you're getting paid.

The owner was putting this unit up for sale and simply didn't want to put a lot of cash into this.


Makes perfect sense! Thank you for the detailed explanation! Knowledge is a powerful tool and I like to have as much as possible. Again, great job on the wheels! They came out perfect!