Nicks in new wheels

[italiano362]

I have the Intro Sport wheels on my 67 Camaro and only have 200 miles on them but the car has been worked on to get rid of numerous bugs. With the wheels being on and off so many times I have some nicks etc from the sockets or whatever and am wondering how to get relatively minor marks out of these billet wheels.As you know they are pricey wheels (at least for me)and I dont want to cause more harm but I have time on my hands living in the frozen Tundra and looking for ideas. Thanks.

[Boesch]

Depends on the size and depth of the nicks, but I'd suggest some aluminum polish in the areas where the nicks are. Try and minimize the area where you use the polish. Be sure to remove all of the polish using an ammonia free glass cleaner once you're done.

Dustin

[italiano362]

Thanks for the advice. Am i wrong in assuming that to generally shine my wheels up that polish is not a good idea? I didnt think there was a clear coat on them or something which the polish would harm.

[Boesch]

Nothing wrong with polish, but when you use it you're removing the shine/aluminum from the wheel. Whenever you use polish your rag turns black in color, which is the aluminum that you're removing. The chemicals in the polish can also work to actually make the aluminum not maintain it's shine, thus the ammonia free glass cleaner to remove those chemicals when you're done. If you're ever at a show and look at our wheels on the stands, look how much they still shine. We take the wheels all over the country, moving them, loading them, setting them up and such. We've never polished a single one of them yet and some have been on the road for quite a few years. All we use is ammonia free glass cleaner on them.

[NOT A TA]

Boesch How should the aluminum be maintained then if not using polish? The brake dust, road grime etc creates small scratches that cause the dulling of the aluminum. Although I've tried to maintain the shine with polish they don't look like they did new.Perhaps you could start a thread on proper wheel maintenance?

Here's my tips to prevent those annoying little dings from installing/removing wheels.
Place a rag where the lug nuts will slip and ding the finish when removing or installing lug nuts

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/MVC009F2-1.jpg

I hate the marks on lug nuts from wrenches so I use a thin rag over them to prevent the marks. And yes I use a torque wrench to finish up when tightening with a rag in the socket.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/MVC011F2-1.jpg

[Boesch]

There are too many different options and situations to possibly list them all. All off the different grades of aluminum and the cast vs forged vs billet all make a difference. Heavy road grime is probably the hardest thing on aluminum wheels. A lot of times it will require the use of polish to get the fine scratched out, just make sure you don't leave the chemicals on the rim when your done.

Dustin

[dipren443]

Here's my tips to prevent those annoying little dings from installing/removing wheels.
Place a rag where the lug nuts will slip and ding the finish when removing or installing lug nuts

I hate the marks on lug nuts from wrenches so I use a thin rag over them to prevent the marks. And yes I use a torque wrench to finish up when tightening with a rag in the socket.

These will save you the hassle of using a rag. Lined with a composite.

From Snap-On's site:

Will not damage or scratch chrome, powder-coated, anodized, calcium-coated, phosphate-coated or painted fasteners. Protects surface surrounding or under fastener.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[italiano362]

Well I think on my wheels its going to take some light fine grit wetsanding on the nicks and then polish followed up with sealant.

[NOT A TA]

I've seen the coated sockets and they're nice to protect the lug nuts but I wish they were plastic coated on the outside also toprotect the wheel from slip and bump or turning marks.

[Project69]

I've seen the coated sockets and they're nice to protect the lug nuts but I wish they were plastic coated on the outside also toprotect the wheel from slip and bump or turning marks.

wrap it in lots of duct tape...thats what i do with my lug sockets.

[dipren443]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/mdsao7835-1.jpg

[shep]

Where do you get those

[dipren443]

Where do you get those

http://www.genuinehotrod.com/PartDetail.asp?PartId=5991

[perry mitchell]

Or get them through Summit. They own Genuine Hot Rod.

[NOT A TA]

Now we're talkin! Those look pretty good and I'm gonna drive by Summit in GA in a couple weeks so I'll check them out.