How to clean up road rash on wheels?

[astronut1885]

Hey guys. I bought a set of 1997 GT 17" split spoke machine polished rims off a friend for my 5 lug. They have some curb rash on the edges, and I was wondering how I could make that go away. I was thinking of using a finishing sander and going over it, but I don't want to screw up the rims. Also, what else could I do to really make these things shine? They will be cleaned soon, but they seem to have a film on them (it's supposed to be there), so I don't know if metal polish would work at all. What are my options? I want them to look the best possible.

 

[85GTlover]

use fine grit sand paper start at about 220 or lower and finish with 600 or higher this should fix the problems and the fine paper should remove any scratches caused by the rougher grit paper. I removed all my aluminum parts and did this with all different sand papers and a "mouse" palm sander.......they look better than new.

 

[88mustangGT]

depends on the severity of the rash, a 200 wont to much for geting the actual goudges out, i did this to my rims a while back and they came out awsome. just get flat again with some courser finepaper and then basiclly use the polishing method.

 

[autoXr1]

The factory wheels have a powder coating on them. Metal cleaner might damage them. There are companies which specialize in restoring these wheels to new/factory condition. Typically, what is done is you send in your wheels as core units and (for a fee) you get a new set shipped back to you. Most reputable body shops, especially your local Ford dealership body shop, should have this information. I know there is a company in the Chicago area. Sorry, I don't have more specific information.

Or...you can try to match the powder coat color with a paint, do your touch up, and then use a really fine wet-dry (1000 grit, or better) and carefully try to polish them up.

 

[astronut1885]

they've got some good dings on the edges. I was hoping to maybe sand it down, just to make it less noticeable. Maybe I'll just leave it alone before I screw it up.

 

[autoXr1]

I not sure how bad those "dings" are, but depending upon how much damage there is and how much material is removed in an attempt to repair it, the wheel balance may be effected and how the wheel is balanced once a tire is mounted. As you know, aluminum wheels are more sensitive to the effects of potholes and curbs, so your situation is fairly common. As I said in my previous post, there are companies that will straighten the wheels, fix the wheel lip, and will either polish the aluminum or repowdercoat them.

 

[astronut1885]

How much does stuff like that cost?

 

[autoXr1]

I'm not sure. Check with your local bodyshop. I'm sure they get vehicles in all the time with damaged wheels. I know that some Ford dealership bodyshops will have sources for restored/reconditioned factory wheels they use in order to keep their estimates down. I'd start there.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

Don't waste your time on petty wheels. Get the ones you like, and make sure they are in good condition, and you will save a lot more money, time and hassle....i thought you just got these wheels so you could get the 5-lug done, then upgrade the wheels later....

 

[cjman15]

just get 2003 cobra wheels soon

 

[astronut1885]

I hate those rims. I want either Bullits, y2k cobra Rs, or 99 GT rims.

 

[trbkrb]

Those are the polished versions of the 96 painted wheels I got for mine. Mine were pretty scarred on the lips, and I did just like 85GTlover said, and used a palm sander with increasing # grit paper. They came out pretty good IMO. I still have a couple of gouges, but at least they are smoothed down and no where nearly as noticable. I planned to polish the lips, but I just left them bare, and they are fine. No problems with wheel balancing or anything. Wish I had some before pics, but I'll try to take some now. They had curb rash over probably 75% of each wheel, and two 1/4- 1/2" gouges. That is why I got them soo cheap!

I say spend a little time with them... it only took me maybe 30 min on each wheel, and it made a world of difference. When you sell them later... you should be able to get more for them!

 

[trbkrb]

Here is a picture of my worst dent after sanding it:

The whole vertical face of the lip edge was sanded on all 4 wheels. This is an example of how they look now.

 

[astronut1885]

Yeah. It looks like I might be scoring a mint set of the 99GTs, so I'll probably be selling my 98s.