Hey everyone, I have the 18" Factory polished bullits and they have become a mess, One wheel has a big scratch mark on the outer lip... ANyone know where I can get it polished? Thanks everyone!


-John V

 

You can try these guys. They have done a lot of work on Thunderbird wheels.
http://paulschrome.com/

 

For wheel repairs you can't beat Wheel Collision in Bath, PA. They do exceptional work. I think it's wheelcollision.com. They often have an inventory of freshly finished wheels so you really don't have to wait. You just send them yours and they send your a finished set.

 

great people to deal with!! highly recomended

 

I wonder if the can fix "Wheel Rash"

 

Yes they can. I should clarify that they'll fix OEM or higher quality aftermarket wheels, but they shy away from replica cast wheels due to issues with the casting quality. If they're painted you'd probably be OK, but polished or machined never come back to their original luster after repairs. I've used them for years for repairing BMW wheels and couldn't be happier.

 

If you're talking about the 18" polished Bullitts, those are clearcoated from the factory. You'll have to have the CC removed before you can polish them. Factory polished wheels don't ever need to be polished per se (with Mothers or any other aluminum polish), only washed just like any other clearcoated surface. Using a metal/aluminum polish on those wheels will dull the finish since you won't be rubbing the metal, but taking the shine off the clearcoat.

 

It sounds like he's got some curb rash and his clearcoat is banged up based on his post. Good adivice none the less!

 

So should I just place another coat of clearcoat? or what? If I have to remove the clearcoat to redo it how do I do it?! please help!

-John

 

You would have to have the clear stripped off via glass beading or something. Then have them polished, then you could leave them raw (read: ALOT of upkeep on a daily driver), or have them re-cleared by someone.

As said above, you could send them out and have them done.

BUT here is a better solution. Go to newtakeoffs.com, buy 4 OE polished bullitts for 600-650. I bet it will be cheaper than the refinish work.

And you have four perfect snow tire wheels with the damaged ones.

 

It can be done, but it's a lot of work. You can use aircraft stripper to remove the clearcoat (Talstrip) but the polishing is the hard part. In order to get a decent gloss you need some pretty serious polishing equipment. Once done you want a high quality clear - not something out of a spray can. Your best bet is a wheel specialist. Snap a pic or two and send it to them for a quick quote. You might be surprised if the damage isn't too bad.

 

Not only that, but when clearing polished aluminum, there can be problems with the clear becoming hazy. The wheels really need to be in a heated booth to drive off the humidity.

Clearing polished parts and having them look nice is always a tricky endever. I would not doubt the factory ones are clear powdercoated actually.