Attempting first alloy wheel repairs - Queries

[MentalistAut]

Hi there! I'm new to the forums but I've been an avid reader for many years but recently I've acquired a set of DARE alloys from a family member but they have what I beleive to be some acid drip markings all over each alloy.
They are in a pattern likened to someone driving after leaving a small amount of something corrosive on the alloy.
Its bitten into the metal slightly as you can feel it's slightly etched compared to the rest of the surface that is normal and untouched.

My query is whether using sandpaper grades p180 240 400 600 with water 800 with Water 1200 with Water 2000
White diamond metal rubbing polish
Rubbing compound farcela finishing rubbing polish
Finishing with Alloy lacquer clear

Would this work to fix these bad boys up because they are some nice looking alloys in my opinion and it's just a shame they suffered this and have been left to sit for so long. I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong before I start. I plan to tape up all the black areas with masking tape on the bottom and electrical tape on top or just a good helping of masking tape to prevent those areas being touched as they haven't been affected.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need anymore pictures I can provide them.

[finlo]

That happens to all diamond cut wheels within a couple of years

You could polish up the faces but you will never satisfactorily re lacquer them!

PS those bolt holes are playing hell with my OCD!

[InitialDave]

Unless you really want the polished finish, if they're for general daily use, repainting them all over will probably be far more durable.

But, if you want them polished, yes, it can be done, though you'll likely need to rub down the whole surface that you're intending to do, as when originally made, they will have had clearcoat over them originally, which moisture etc has got under, and you can't really "partially" rework it.

Now, when you come to finish them up yourself, I wouldn't use clearcoat to avoid a repeat of that, I'd actually use some Sonus Aluminum [sic] Sealant instead.

Yes, it will involve a little bit of regular maintenance cleaning, but I'm afraid if you want a polished finish, it'll never be as resilient an option as fully painted wheels.

[paintman]

If you want them as to look original with the diamond cut ally bits get them professionally done.

[MentalistAut]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm curious what would products are best for the job and least likely to damage to maintain?
These are a repair for a project I'm learning to repair alloys of all styles for my own benefit and friends benefit.

I'll pick up some ally lacquer thanks for the tip!
I've got sanding discs for my drill attachment going to do the first bit by hand to get a feel for it on these and take my time don't want to bugger them up.

So the ally sealant and a regular maintenance cleaning should do the trick as long as I do the repair carefully and correctly?

Thanks again for any input, don't wanna go shelling out 600 notes for new ones haha. :-P

[InitialDave]

I view it as a case of clearcoat isn't guaranteed to be a permanent fix on polished alloys, and is harder to rectify if it does corrode underneath again, whereas if using a sealant doesn't work out for you, it's not too bad to polish up again, and you still have the option of going with clearcoat if you wish.

[MentalistAut]

Ah okay I get you now mate thank you for the clarification, I shall endeavour to purchase these items this evening and hopefully shall start these alloys on monday/tuesday morning.

I will come back and update as I progress for anyone who has a similar issue. As I've searched high and low and not found anything that was as helpful as you have been.

Thanks again folks! Wish me luck!

[InitialDave]

Bear in mind rubbing down and polishing up a full set of wheels is going to make your fingers ache!

[finlo]

I can guarantee with a rattle can you will never get lacquer to adhere to a polished spoke!

[Chris32345]

They are diamond cut
You won't get a perfect finish with sand paper and certainly not by hand
They need to be machined on a lathe that's how they are done in the first place

I'd look into painting them if you want to do it yourself

[InitialDave]

Chris32345 said:

They are diamond cut
You won't get a perfect finish with sand paper and certainly not by hand
They need to be machined on a lathe that's how they are done in the first place

I'd look into painting them if you want to do it yourself

You can't replicate the diamond cut finish, but you can polish them instead.