Wheel Refinishing?

[License2Bill]

I almost feel stupid bringing this up but...
I was over my buddy's apartment the other day and he was having the wheels on his Titanium Package 2011 Audi S4 refinished by one of those mobile refinishing trucks. After he was done, I asked him to take a look at mine since there are a few spots of curb rash and the clear is bubbling/flaking/peeling. He got closer to them and said there's nothing he can do because they're chrome. He absolutely refused to touch them. I kinda shot him a confused/you're kidding me look. Maybe I'm just young and naive, but in the short time since I've owned this car, I've always thought they were just highly polished aluminum alloys with a clear coat? If they were chrome, wouldn't the whole wheel be just as shiny? :confused:

Can someone enlighten me please?

P.S. I know these wheels can be refinished, I've seen the threads on them.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I had mine re-finished last summer and at first, the wheel refinisher, thought they were chrome too. After closer inspection (rims were off the car and no tires) determined they were not chromed. It was over $200 per wheel to glass bead, polish and then use a powdercoat clear. They look good but I personally still see the buffer swirls..moreso in just the right light sort of thing. It was not one of those mobile wheel re-finishers but Blackburns Wheel in Macedonia, OH...30 to 40 minutes away from me so I could avoid shipping charges.

[lji372]

You are correct, they are not chrome.

And I love it 3:57 a.m. on that post :laugh: that's awesome :D

[Mr. Man]

Well the wheels were not chromed from Mercury, but someone may have chromed the wheels on your car if you did not buy it new.

If they are chrome they can be polished to a bright mirror finish. If they are the OEM polished aluminum they will have a grayish tinge to them no matter how clean you get them.

[License2Bill]

Mine definitely weren't chromed by a previous owner. If I ever decide to have them refinished, I'll go somewhere other than one of those mobile deals. They clearly don't know as much as it would seem for the prices they charge!

[1Marauder]

My finish was scratched at an upscale tire store, after I had asked them to remove the OEM weight glue left over from the stock Tires... And wipe out the inside of the wheel... (Yes just 12,800 miles--but 10 year old rubber)... The kid grabbed a scotch rite pad and scratched all the wheels, taking off the seal on the inside and Seriously scouring the inside and some of the "polished" areas.

Upscale wheel repair said they'd have to strip, buff/polish and reseal....

Tire place is paying for the repair. Will see the virgin stock re-worked wheels next Thursday and let you know. $150 each plus... Seems about right.

Polished aluminum is my favorite....but the wheel repair guy said that these wheels are notoriously thinly coated. Will photo mine when completed.

[Mr. Man]

My finish was scratched at an upscale tire store, after I had asked them to remove the OEM weight glue left over from the stock Tires... And wipe out the inside of the wheel... (Yes just 12,800 miles--but 10 year old rubber)... The kid grabbed a scotch rite pad and scratched all the wheels, taking off the seal on the inside and Seriously scouring the inside and some of the "polished" areas.

Upscale wheel repair said they'd have to strip, buff/polish and reseal....

Tire place is paying for the repair. Will see the virgin stock re-worked wheels next Thursday and let you know. $150 each plus... Seems about right.

Polished aluminum is my favorite....but the wheel repair guy said that these wheels are notoriously thinly coated. Will photo mine when completed.
I was unaware the inside of the wheel had a finish coat.

[NavySeabee]

I was unaware the inside of the wheel had a finish coat.

Is this a fact? I didn't know that either. Cleaned the inside of mine with 0000 steel wool and some SimpleGreen a few weeks ago. They still look great.

[Krytin]

Is this a fact? I didn't know that either. Cleaned the inside of mine with 0000 steel wool and some SimpleGreen a few weeks ago. They still look great.

They aren't, at least mine never were.
I clean mine the same way - always comes back looking good.

[Mr. Man]

They aren't, at least mine never were.
I clean mine the same way - always comes back looking good.
I did Paula's a few years ago with some sort of cleaner and a green pad and they looked good til the first time we had to drive it in the rain. Stupid rain:alone:

[Krytin]

I did Paula's a few years ago with some sort of cleaner and a green pad and they looked good til the first time we had to drive it in the rain. Stupid rain:alone:

Tell me about it - I drive in the rain all of the time!

[1Marauder]

Saw my powder coated clear refinished wheels today... Felt sick to my stomach. My 14,000 miles 1 tire change unmolestic like new wheels... Scratched by the tire shop... Don't look as good as they should.

They are lighter silver, and not as "reflective" as they were. I wish I had left them scratched.

I may go Crome next. Will post up pics...

Couldn't pick up the car as the nimrods had the 245s on the front. So frustrated I could...

Just *{%{#ING CRY. They were perfect. Then scratched... And now a different hue.

Ideas?

[1Marauder]

However I am told they are many times better protected etc... Sealed as they are. Also the insides were buffed etc,...

[Showroom]

See if Alloy Wheel Repair has people in your area, They fixed one for me and its perfect. Let them know you are picky so they will send over a season repair man.

good luck.

[Vortech347]

Factory wheels look great on these cars but at $200 a wheel I'd rather just get some aftermarket ones.

[lji372]

Factory wheels look great on these cars but at $200 a wheel I'd rather just get some aftermarket ones.

I would almost agree but I like the stock look better than any aftermarket I've seen. The bonus is they fix any road rash before the PVD chrome. Just skeptical as to how they will turn out. Hoping to find out in about another week.
Widening PVD and new rubber all in the same month ouch!!
Hey Barry! Can I get a loan? :D