I was wondering whether clear coating a polished wheel would acutally make the polished wheel not so shiny. Does anyone know? Thanks in advance.
Ryan
Ryan
Applying clear coat on a polished wheel
- Thread starter RyRy210
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To tell you the truth I have no idea, but I am also interested in anything that would help make the stock wheels easier to clean.
Hopefully someone with a little more info will answer us both!
Hopefully someone with a little more info will answer us both!
To tell you the truth I have no idea, but I am also interested in anything that would help make the stock wheels easier to clean.
Every once in a while, after you've got them nice and clean, put a coat of wax on them. Seriously.
Every once in a while, after you've got them nice and clean, put a coat of wax on them. Seriously.
I would assume that the NSX wheels have clear coat on them. I've would also go as far to say, that I have seen polished wheels with clear coat, and it doesn't make them any less shiny. That said, most japanese wheel lips are polished, then clear coated.
I believe it all depends on how it's polished, and methods of applying the clear coat. Japanese wheel manufacturers have mastered the trade.
I had some Speedline wheels on my RX-7, and the lip was polished and cleared. Looked great, and didn't look dull at all.
The wax suggestion above works, and makes the wheels easier to clean.
I believe it all depends on how it's polished, and methods of applying the clear coat. Japanese wheel manufacturers have mastered the trade.
I had some Speedline wheels on my RX-7, and the lip was polished and cleared. Looked great, and didn't look dull at all.
The wax suggestion above works, and makes the wheels easier to clean.
My stock 01' wheels are definitely clear-coated. They appear to be more of a machined look than highly polished(prior to the clear coat).
How do I know they are clear-coated? Well, sadly I brushed a curb, and roughed the lip of the wheel a couple of inches. While polishing it back out, there was no doubt I couldn't match the stock machining, and could easily see the clear-coat paint edge. The section I polished has a brighter, more chrome like shine. I'll probably clear-coat the small section to help it blend in.
How do I know they are clear-coated? Well, sadly I brushed a curb, and roughed the lip of the wheel a couple of inches. While polishing it back out, there was no doubt I couldn't match the stock machining, and could easily see the clear-coat paint edge. The section I polished has a brighter, more chrome like shine. I'll probably clear-coat the small section to help it blend in.
I am thinking about getting some highly polished wheels. Trying to figure out would I have them clear coated because:
a. Less maintenance?
** For the people out there with polished rims and no clear coat, how often do you have to polish your rims?
b. After clear coating, they might not look as shiny as claimed by some rim maunfacturers.
a. Less maintenance?
** For the people out there with polished rims and no clear coat, how often do you have to polish your rims?
b. After clear coating, they might not look as shiny as claimed by some rim maunfacturers.
The clearcoat layer put on in the manufacturing is very durable and virtually maintainence free. Just soap and water is all it takes.
The problem is clearcoat does not last forever and the wheels can dull and start to pit. You can either polish them with something like wheel wax or mothers or have them re-cleared.
The problem is clearcoat does not last forever and the wheels can dull and start to pit. You can either polish them with something like wheel wax or mothers or have them re-cleared.
i think all factory wheels are clearcoated, simple test to check if you have clearcoat is take some mother's mag polish, attempt to polish the wheels, check the cloth to see if there is any black. If no black, your wheel is clearcoated. Don't waste any more of your time trying to "polish", put on a coat of wax instead.
Clearcoat does dull the polish finish a bit, but not enough for you to actually notice. HRE wheels are not clearcoated and they look just amazing if you take care of it properly, just involves lots and lots of work!
Clearcoat does dull the polish finish a bit, but not enough for you to actually notice. HRE wheels are not clearcoated and they look just amazing if you take care of it properly, just involves lots and lots of work!
Still trying to figure how often I might have to polish my wheels if they are not clearcoated
1TITENSX said:Still trying to figure how often I might have to polish my wheels if they are not clearcoated
Everytime you wash your car, which should be about once a week. If you drive your car in the rain i would wash it asap. Once the polished lips are stained it will take alot of elbow grease to take it out! Put lots and lots of wax even on your polished lip to make your life easier.
You can get HRE lips clearcoated at no charge, however they do not warranty the clearcoat finish.
Sounds like clear coating is the way to go 
I guess I'm lazy because I don't want to have to worry about polishing some wheels....just wash and go
I guess I'm lazy because I don't want to have to worry about polishing some wheels....just wash and go
Real wax on your wheels will attract brake dust like a magnet. It will also melt/evaporate very quickly.
Sythnetic wax/polymers like Zaino work much better and certainly last longer. There are several good polymers out there.
I use Zaino on my wheels even though I use another polymer on the paint.
I don't think there is a more durable finish than Zaino.
Sythnetic wax/polymers like Zaino work much better and certainly last longer. There are several good polymers out there.
I use Zaino on my wheels even though I use another polymer on the paint.
I don't think there is a more durable finish than Zaino.
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http://www.imperialrestoration.com/products.php?category=2 glisten pc clear as a bell for wheels polished ect hard to apply
yes...the answer is no! clearcoat can be applied to a high polish wheel but will not adhere properly,i have had numerous experiences with this and the clear will always peel off.in one attempt i actually used compressed air to peel the clear entirely off in one piece! Japanese polished wheels wheels are not clearcoated,they are anodized,this would need to be done before welding/bolting the cast center in due to the fact that anodizing will attack and pit to porous casting,if you are looking to have a low maintanance wheel,consider a machine polished a.k.a. diamond cut wheel,like the factory 95-01 wheel,the fine groves can hold paint(or clear)and should always clean up with soap and water (except maybe in the case of some aggresive brake pad compounds)
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Did You ck The Web Address above you
Angus is correct about Aftermarket wheels. They have an anodized coating. If you are talking about Forged Aluminum wheels like HRE or IForged, the stuff you want to use is called ZoopSeal. I have never used it, but am interested to hear how well it works:
http://www.zoops.com/zoopseal.asp
Clear-coat IMO DOES make the rim a bit more dull.
An easy polishing method for those on the go is,when washing your car,clean the wheels and then rub your favourite wheel polish on(while it is wet).Do not let it dry,wash off using soft sponge or cloth and dish soap.The dish soap takes the polish off without having to rub it.DRY and GO !!!
So to answer the question above,Every time I wash the car,it only takes a few minutes !!!
Stacy
My wheel faces are clear coated and there is no difference in the luster compared to the bare polished lip. Here are a few pics:
http://www.nsxprime.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=23644&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
http://www.nsxprime.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=23644&sort=1&cat=500&page=1
just wondering if the volk GTC has clear coat on the spokes or the polish lip?
The polished lip is anodized. I'm not sure about the spokes, but they're probably anodized too.
what should be used to keep the anodized lips nice and shiny?
Can I used the metal polish(Mother's) or even car wax?
well... if your anodized lips are in good condition,then soap and water is all you should need(as stated by rays/volk)but many"safe"and "all wheel"cleaners will dull/cloud the anodizing,(i have a set of GTNs that are like this due to a previous owner osing the wrong cleaner,Wax won't hurt anything i probably would not use polish but i doubt it would have any affect anyways. i'm actually considering unbolting my centers and having the lips re-anodized(the clouding is minor so it's hard to justify)butif your wheels are in good shape then not much will really make them dull (except chemicals)so dont worry, just soap and water
Yep, soap and water is all you need. Chemicals/wheel cleaners will mess up the anodized finish. Only thing is that I don't know anyone that can reanodize the finish. If you find a place, please let us know.
there are places that do anodizing almost everywhere,it's a pretty common industrial finish-i'm thinking you would probably need to have the wheels stripped and polished somewhere else first(or you can strip them yourself with oven cleaner-ask me how i know!),but then anyone who does anodizing can do it
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