Need help restoring my HRE's

Ok guys, the time has come for me to sell my beloved Z06 and move on to something else. I have a set of 19/20 HRE 540's that came off the car and need a little(a lot) TLC. Satin black centers, bare polished aluminum lips. What steps should I take to restore them to new? The centers look dull and the lips are etched with crap. Any tips would help. I'm looking to bring them back to life so I can sell them. What do you guys think?

 

Could you post some pics of the wheels?

 

I just finished working on a car with 2 inch polished lips that were heavily oxidized. Optimum metal polish worked well but you will need patience if doing it by hand.

 

I'll have pics later on. I have a PC if that helps. What about using a fine steel wool?

 

Ok, here are some pics. Keep in mind that I did not clean them yet, but its not gonna make a huge difference anyway.

 

Have you looked if polishing them with something like M205 or other light polish removes the dull stains?

 

No, I havent. I wasnt sure I could use car polish on the wheels. The only thing I did in the past was use a fine steel wool to remove some of that crud and then used a metal polish by hand. I wonder if I can bring the color back to the centers? I have a PC and tons of different pads. i also have M105 and M205.

 

Any advice from the pros?

 

If the spokes are clear coated you can polish them with the same stuff you polish paint with. The outer lips need to be done using a metal polish though. You can use a cone polishing ball that attaches to a drill to make it easier.

 

I would take these steps before looking at polish steps
1st sonax or any type of iron removing solution iron x paste would probably work great
2nd strong wheel cleaner with lots of agitation like mg wheel brightener
3rd mild to aggressive clay then take it from there

 

IMO wheel brightener on a polished lip is pretty risky and could possibly make things worse. Clay won't do much for the etching either. Iv'e done a few sets of these and a metal polish plus elbow grease works the best.

These wheels looked the same as the ones the OP posted. OPT metal polish and half an hour of rubbing made them look like this:

 

Yeah, DO NOT USE wheel brightener on any exposed raw metal........ its acid.

it would be better IMO to send them to HRE or a wheels shop and have them professionally done.

 

P21S polishing soap?

 

How did your wheels end up in that condition to begin with it? Nice way to ruin a 6-7K set of wheels. Try AG CWC, probably won't do much those rims are like salvage/write off condition lol.

 

Did you do anything before using the wheel polish? I have OPT metal polish, PS21 polishing soap, and the polishing cone from mothers.

 

I wouldnt call them salvage/write off condition. They just need some time with the right products to bring them back to life.

 

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/auto-bliss/31507-official-hre-wheel-thread.htm

 

I agree with kilo, send them back to Hre or a reputable wheel shop. And next time take care of your wheels, no reason for a nice set of wheels to go to shit like this

 

I cleaned them with regular car wash soap and water before hand.

Give P21S polishing soap a shot first, then OPT metal polish and the polishing cone. Just take your time.

 

“Wheel Surface cleaning”- http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/138127-wheel-surface-cleaning.html