LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

I just got a used set of WS6 wheels and one has some pretty good flaking going on. They are the polished straight spoke style. I do have some spray on clear coat that I used on painted wheels but I'm not sure if it will stick on the polished wheel or not. Anyone ever re cleared a polished wheel? What did you use? Does GM use any special type of clear coat?

thesoundandthefury

iTrader: (3)

Here's the cheap route:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...iProductID=415

And here's the more expensive route:

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/cle...h_prodinfo.htm

If you were happy with how the wheels looked with the factory clearcoat, then go with the Eastwood stuff. If you're a perfectionist, or plan on re-polishing the wheels, go with the Clear4Chrome. (It doesn't dull the shine like the Diamond Clear.) Most off the shelf clears aren't good on polished metals because they don't contain self etching solvents and will begin to crack and flake rather quickly.
Also, be sure to degrease THOROUGHLY before you spray. I always use Easy Off over cleaner. Hope that helps.

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Damn that bottom stuff is pricey, it may be cheaper to find another used wheel without peeling and just sell this one off. Now if I use the top solution can I just spray the peeling area after cleaning it or should I risk stripping the whole wheel and taking off all the factory clear? I just want to get it right and not have to go back to it.

thesoundandthefury

iTrader: (3)

Strip the wheel first for sure. Re coating over the old clear will just dull the finish that much more. You can burn the factory clearcoat off with one or two coats of Aircraft Paint Remover that can be found at any paint supply store.

It helps the chemical work better if you wrap a plastic trash bag around the wheel.

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Have a guesstimate on how long the cheap clear would hold up? A friend of mine has some ZOOP seal, what do you think of that?

sercastiK

iTrader: (11)

Zoop seal is a ******* scam, it DOES NOT WORK and I guarentee you this..

J

thesoundandthefury

iTrader: (3)

Don't even waste your time with Zoopseal. The three main factors determing the life expectancy of a paintjob are: how well the part is prepped, how well the product is applied, and what kind've conditions you expose it to. Just take your time and do a good job and the Diamond Clear will last as long as the original OEM clearcoat job did.

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Alright thanks for the info.

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Alright sorry to keep bringing this up but do you have any first hand experience with the Diamond clear? (cheapo spray on) I'm pretty **** about my cars looks so I just want to get it right. Thanks again.

thesoundandthefury

iTrader: (3)

I used it to clear a TPI intake setup I polished 2 years ago. It DID dull the shine just a little bit, but not to the point that you couldn't tell it was polished. You need to be realistic in your expectations of an $11 product.

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Haha, ya. If it looks like factory I'm cool with that. Thanks alot.

98boilerWS6

Hello,

Does the paint stripper dull the original chrome finish?? I would like to get my wheels stripped.

1998 Stock Red WS6

thesoundandthefury

iTrader: (3)

Nope, doesn't harm chrome at all. Here's the stuff I use:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

I'm guessing you have chrome wheels that you painted?

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

Well we are on the topic of cleaning the wheels, is there anything that will take off brake dust residue off the inside of the wheel? I wouldn't even mind it if it stripped teh clear off teh factory wheels, as at least then I could use some mother's ploish on them and get them really shining good.

If anyone has anythign that will get that black **** off the inside, short of a sandblaster, lemme know. Thanks

LoudmouthLT1

iTrader: (2)

Have you tried wheel cleaner and a high pressure washer? Or just old fashioned elbow grease?

EDS01SS

iTrader: (30)

if your not worried about the finish then you can wet sand them and all that baked on dust will come right off.use about an 800 grit and some wheel cleaner and water.

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

I've tried wheel cleaner of every type I can find, a brillo pad and an insane amount of scrubbing, a pressure washer.. still pitted black. I'm at the point where only a chemical of some sort has got to be teh only way to get them to bare alum again.. and I figure that it's gonna take the clearcoat off at the same time. I will spend whatever tim eit takes to repolish them if need be, I just want somethign that will get the wheel clean, so I can have it powdercoated inside and out so this won't happen again.

jargan04

iTrader: (1)

Forget the clear. If you want polished wheels to look best, leave the clear off. It dulls the finish. I striped all the clear off my factory Y2K's and left my polished Z06's bare.