I just purchased some used gloss black crown spoke wheels. The wheels have some marks on them and I'm not sure the best way to fix them. I don't exactly know how to describe them, but it looks like something that may have happened when they were being transported in the back of a car and got rubbed and you can see the mark in the finish. Based on how they were packaged for shipment to me, the marks were not caused by the shipment I don't believe.

I'll attach a picture and hopefully you can see what I mean. The marks on the outermost portion of the spokes/spines of the wheels. Any advice for how to make these look better would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Take them to an autobody / paint shop. They may be able to polish marks off the finish. If they cannot, I'm sure they can strip and re-paint them. Of course you should take the tires off if they're going to be refinished.

Good Luck!

 

Looks like there is some friction damage from shipping.

It also looks like it will polish right out. Either DIY, or find a local detailer to do it.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Stealth - can you recommend any polishing products? I've never polished wheels before. I agree, it does look like something that should polish right out - it's very shallow. You cannot feel a difference in texture on the wheel.

 

Just polish them and wax them with a pc and a small pad, or by hand but thats gonna kill you.

 

Most likely you are going to do this by hand? Power tools are best for this, but the hand method will not do any damage. If you don't have any clay, get some, & clay the wheels first. After never use the clay on the car, just the wheels. You can break the bar in chunks, & use like 1/4 of the bar for the wheels.

I would start with this, on a MF towel (microfiber) or foam applicator.
http://www.detailersdomain.com/1zein...ckpolitur.aspx
Put a dime size spot on the pad, then rub, rub, rub about 1/4-1/3 of the wheel. Your shoulder should hurt when you are done, try to get it almost to dry out. Repeat for each section, then wipe it all off, if there is still some marks left, redo.

Then wax with this
http://www.detailersdomain.com/1zein...ishandwax.aspx
Apply a pea size dot to a foam applicator, that should almost each wheel, work it in, but not like the polish. Let it sit for 3-6min, then wipe with a clean MF towel.

If that doesn't work, you need a heavier polish, & power tools. A good detailer will charger around $100-200 to do this if you bring them the wheels.

 

Try 3M rubbing compound and then go over with the wax of your choice.

 

Stealth - Thank you for the detailed information! That is outstanding. I need to invest in some supplies to work on this - I knew that I needed to do this - it was just a matter of time! That Metallic Polish and Wax looks like exactly what I need after the clay job! Awesome.

I don't have any power tools for detailing yet... I've been trying to figure out which package(s) to order from Griott's to take care of my new MINI. I've never done much in the way of car detailing & waxing for my previous cars - I used a mobile detailer who did a very good job. I was looking at the 6" orbital for waxing. I suspect the 3" would be more appropriate for the wheels... Therefore I probably will be doing the wheels by hand for now as my budget for tools and supplies is not endless.

 

Can't go wrong with Griot's, there stuff is almost idiot proof. However, it's also all on the mind side, so you tend to us a little more, & take more time to get the end results.

Griot's also has started to have sales like 15% OFF. I live 5mi from them, & visit a couple of times a month.

The 6in is the way to go, the 3in would take a week to do the whole car. You can use the 6in on the wheels, you will just most likely kill a pad pushing it in the corners. You can get the package with polish, towels, pads etc. However I do feel the Einszett stuff is better for a little less $$.

 

I love einszette