Lost Your Clearcoat On Factory Wheels?

jwalcher · October 28, 2009

What did you do?

I have a 2000 Silverado XTD Cab Z71 with the OEM 16" aluminum wheels. I love the machined finish, but at almost 10 years old, I've lost the clearcoat. They've started to cloud up. If you've experienced this situation, what did you do? Re-finish, paint, etc. Pics if possible.

I definitely want to keep the wheels as I prefer the OEM look, especially with 285 BFG's on them.

Thank You!

gmcsierra93 · October 28, 2009

Same thing happened on my 93 Sierra. What i did was take them off, sandblasted them, and repainted them. If you get the factory paint number for your wheels they look just like they did coming out of the factory.

WilliamBos · October 28, 2009

Same thing happened on my 93 Sierra. What i did was take them off, sandblasted them, and repainted them. If you get the factory paint number for your wheels they look just like they did coming out of the factory.

Sounds like his wheels are clear coated.

I am thinking of getting mine re-cleared eventually. Would not like the look of them painted.

Nytemare · October 29, 2009

Yeah man, just bring em in and get them refinished.

AK FiveO · November 1, 2009

Hand polishing is an option too. Did that on one of my Mustangs. Facory rims started to loose thier coating, so I just sanded them up, wet sand, then polish. Some work, but they look sweet ..and, no one else had "polished factory Mustang wheels" around town.

cerbomark · November 3, 2009

i like that idea. anyone done this on their truck and have pics? Do they then turn black as they get weathered again? i guess the painted sections of the wheels come off??

AK FiveO · November 5, 2009

i like that idea. anyone done this on their truck and have pics? Do they then turn black as they get weathered again? i guess the painted sections of the wheels come off??

The Mustang wheels had no painted areas, so it was straight-up polished aluminum. You could mask-off and repaint painted areas. With the clearcoat gone, the wheels do require a little more maintenance ...a rub of "Mothers" once in awhile usually works. Used to show (and race) the Mustang, and it really got a lot of great comments on the polished factory wheels.