Easy method for de-polishing wheels?

[Pittdawg]

I'm not a fan of chrome or hi-polish for that matter. While I am a bit partial to black wheels, they sometimes appear cheap looking to me, especially when they blend in with the same color as the tires. In any event, is there a relatively simple method to "de-polish" my stock hi-polished wheels which have a nearly chrome look to them? I don't want to just end up with scratched up wheels. Thanks.

 

[strat81]

I'm not a fan of chrome or hi-polish for that matter. While I am a bit partial to black wheels, they sometimes appear cheap looking to me, especially when they blend in with the same color as the tires. In any event, is there a relatively simple method to "de-polish" my stock hi-polished wheels which have a nearly chrome look to them? I don't want to just end up with scratched up wheels. Thanks.

Have them sand blasted and re-painted with a satin clear coat.

I would not recommend painting a polished (near-chrome) surface. The surface would be too smooth for most paints to stick to well. Sand blasting (not bead blasting) will remove the polished look along with any clear coat that may be there. The sand blasted surface provides some tooth to which a protective satin clear coat will stick.

It's not difficult to do, but it does require you to remove the tire which requires specialized equipment. Blasting is also easy, but you need a blasting cabinet to do it. The hardest part would be getting an even coat of clear to stick. A tire shop can remove your tires (figure $25 or so per wheel) and a body shop or powder coating shop should have a blast cabinet. Many mechanics' shops have blast cabinets too. Talk with an auto paint retailer to see if they have a clear product that will stick to bare metal.

You don't need to clear coat them in satin, but maintaining raw aluminum can be a PITA. Clear coated wheels are much easier to care for and look better with minimal maintenance.

A body shop may be able to do all of the work for you. If you bring just the wheels (no tires), my WAG on price would be about $125 per wheel.

I'd expect an inconsistent result if you tried sandpaper or Scotch-brite pads. Maybe visit a junkyard and purchase a chrome wheel to practice with?

 

[lint]

I'm not a fan of chrome or hi-polish for that matter. While I am a bit partial to black wheels, they sometimes appear cheap looking to me, especially when they blend in with the same color as the tires. In any event, is there a relatively simple method to "de-polish" my stock hi-polished wheels which have a nearly chrome look to them? I don't want to just end up with scratched up wheels. Thanks.

You need to put up a pic. What are they Chrome ,Black , aluminum ,,,,, If you are saying that the are black and hi-polished , and are in perfect condition . you can use a ultra fine scuff pad on them with soap and water ,Take it to a paint shop and ask them to clear them with a flattener in the clear to make them satin ... if they are prepped and ready to paint . It cant cost that much. But need more info.

 

[Pittdawg]

You need to put up a pic. What are they Chrome ,Black , aluminum ,,,,, If you are saying that the are black and hi-polished , and are in perfect condition . you can use a ultra fine scuff pad on them with soap and water ,Take it to a paint shop and ask them to clear them with a flattener in the clear to make them satin ... if they are prepped and ready to paint . It cant cost that much. But need more info.

Boom.

 

[Pittdawg]

This is what I am looking for:

17" FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (4) OLDS BRAVADA GMC ENVOY BUICK RAINIER ISUZI ASCENDER | eBay

Any idea if these can be retrofitted with my current tpms sensors?

 

[lint]

I can't help you with the sensors, Don't know anything about them. But buying the ones on craigslist and selling yours would be the way to go. they look like the same wheels ,if they are the same stud size ,yours look polish or chrome .

 

[strat81]

This is what I am looking for:

17" FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (4) OLDS BRAVADA GMC ENVOY BUICK RAINIER ISUZI ASCENDER | eBay

Any idea if these can be retrofitted with my current tpms sensors?

I believe so, since the TPMS is part of the valve stem assembly.

Call a tire shop and see how much they'd charge to swap tires onto the new rims, along with your existing TPMS.