Alloys cleaned with the wrong stuff

[domtoni]

Guys,

I bought some 15x6 Fuchs last year from the USA. They were supposed to be polished, the rims were, but the condition was not what I expected. I don't recommend DC Automotive.

Problem is I had the car washed last Saturday by one of the local hand wash people. They used some acid on the wheels, and the alu started to turn a milky colour. I bought some Autosol, and the wheels cleaned up, but the milky colour is still there.

It was suggested that the wheels need to be re-anodized. OK, part of the body restoration project to come along next.

But is there anything I can buy that will clean that acid milky colour off the wheels to return them to a nice finish?

Thanks
Dom

[Nige]

Sounds like they were polished and laquered with 2pk or celly. Wonderwheels kind of stuff will discolour this type of finish, its a mild acid.

I've had a similar thing happen before and managed to remove the milkyness with a wipe over with cellulose thinners, beware though though I did this on a set of rims I didn't care much about. The worst is can do is remove the laquer.

[domtoni]

Thanks Nige for the advise. Will give it a try.

Dom

[912uk]

Same here I was thinking that sounds like they were 2pk or Even Celli clear coated.... get that off..

See rainbow polishing Smethick ( some where in Brum )

[domtoni]

Thanks 912UK. I spoke to Rainbow, really they are not too far from here.

Very competitive with their pricing.

Best
Dom

[Barry]

Hi Dom: give then a quick squirt of WD40, or engine oil. If they improve, then it might be worth trying some paint restorer on them, followed by a good quality wax, silicon, or even vasaline. I would imagine that the acid has eaten into the finish, which has left it effectively porous, and it could be the air in the finish you can now see. With any luck, the restorer might smooth the top few microns of the finish, and the wax/silicon/vasaline might fill the 'air holes'. After all this is all that's happening when you restore damaged paint.

I suppose if the WD40 test doesn't improve them, then you can only assume that the acid has crept right under the finish: pretty unlikely though, I'd have thought.

[domtoni]

Barry,

Just took some WD 40 and then some Remington silcon / oil and the wheels look much better. Not perfect, but considerably better than before the exercise.

Will try the paint restorer, and then some wax.

Best
Dom

[Barry]

.