Looking for some thoughts on this boys. I have a friend that recently had a slight mishap with one of his BBS LM-R wheels. Hit a pothole, had the wheel repaired but now the wheel is quite a bit duller than the rest of them. Knowing what these babies cost, what is the best way to bring back the shine? I recommended a very light polish such as PO85RD, or even P21S Finish Restorer Metal Polish. Thoughts?
The face was removed, the lip was then bent back into shape, then the metal resurfaced, then I believe clear coated. It's duller than factory almost more greyish even. here are photos. The fixed rim is on the right Below is the repaired rim Non repaired rim Closeup of the lips
Aluminum Non-clear coataluminium wheels are an aftermarket product (not OEM) Uncoated (to test apply a mild polish, if the applicator turns black (a chemical reaction between nickel and the polish) then there is no clear coat on the paint finish. if Uncoated aluminium is always in a state of tarnish, the oxidation acts as a protection. Clear Coat finish; P21S® Polishing Soap – formulated with polishing clay and soap flakes, so it is simple, gentle, and effective, it will return metal to an OEM finish and it will remove most of the tarnish, as well as any other contaminants. It also works on any lightly tarnished aluminium in your engine bay, exhaust tips, or any other metals that are tarnished. P21S® Finish Restorer - this is a polishing product to refine a cleaned finish as opposed to cleaning, it’s formulated to polish - for any metal or plastic surface with or without a clear coat that is faded, oxidized, water marked, burnt, and dirty or built up with brake dust. This metal polish has some of the strongest restoring power of any metal polish available to consumers. Its deep cleansing formula helps release some of the most difficult build ups. Even on surfaces that look brand new you'll be amazed at how this polish works beneath the surface and removes hard to see contamination, leaves any metal surface with a shine Apply it to your wheels, exhaust tips, bumpers, trim pieces and more to get a jaw dropping pop out of your polished surfaces. If you're looking to restore a lustrous glow to your metal surfaces and refine their finish. Used after the surface has been cleaned with the polishing soap or as a finish restorer on metal that is only lightly tarnished. Caution- avoid metal polishing products that contain anhydrous ammonia, solvents or acids, zinc, which is often present in aluminium in large quantities and is dissolved readily by the related anhydrous See also Article # 119. Wheel Surface and Wheel Well Undercarriage Cleaning - http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/detailing-school/7782-wheel-surface-cleaning.htm
I had a BBS RGR wheel professionally repaired after a similar lip bend due to a highway pothole, and was somewhat disappointed to find that, while the color match was good, it wasn't exact on the face/lip, and the inner barrel wasn't even close - nor did they appear to use as high-grade of a paint/clear, because before long it started chipping (not a lot, but obviously worse than the 3 non-repaired wheels). This was from a nationally recognized, well-regarded wheel repair company's facility... not some fly-by-night operation. So, I came to the conclusion that, while you can get it repaired to where it's functional and the appearance is good, it's unlikely to be able to damage a wheel and get it back to 100% as if it never happened. YMMV of course.
if it's been clear coated, the discoloration maybe under the clear coat and thus not amount of polishing will get it out.
if there are not cleared than metal polish, and a lot of time polishing by hand and with a small polisher. Or find a place that refinishes rims and take it there
