Alloy wheel lacquer spray for touch up?

[BraveDave23]

Hi, I just got my first very small scuff on my diamond cut alloys, (Mercedes Benz A-Class AMG line). They’re 1 year old and I will own the car for 2 more years. It’s a tiny scuff so not worth refurbing yet.

I think I should use lacquer to seal the surface to prevent moisture/salt etc spreading under the lacquer. Was planning to use a spray to do a small spot touch up so it blends in. (Will make a cardboard stencil so I only spray the affected area).

Please can anyone advise the best lacquer spray can to use? Does it need to be 2K and etch lacquer?

[BraveDave23]

Here’s a photo of the scuff. I did give it a quick rub with some scratch remover paste to smooth it down a little, then polish and wax to protect it.

[steveo3002]

id brush some on neatly

[BraveDave23]

Yeah I’m sure most people would brush it on, but I want the touch up to be as unnoticeable as possible, and brushing on would be thicker with a more obvious edge, whereas spot spraying on with a stencil will have a blended edge so be less noticeable.

[finlo]

Don't worry about it, within the next two years they'll all be milky white under the lacquer!

[BraveDave23]

finlo said:

Don't worry about it, within the next two years they'll all be milky white under the lacquer!

So I hear! Wasn’t aware when I got the car that diamond cuts were so problematic, it’s a lease car and they come as standard on this model. I’m optimistically hopeful that modern factory finishes will hold up better, I expect a lot of the ones that people have had problems with have been refurbed and had acid wheel cleaner used regularly.
Still I’d like to try and prevent it happening as much I can, so touching up the lacquer makes sense to me.

[paintman]

BraveDave23 said:

finlo said:

Don't worry about it, within the next two years they'll all be milky white under the lacquer!

So I hear! Wasn’t aware when I got the car that diamond cuts were so problematic, it’s a lease car and they come as standard on this model. I’m optimistically hopeful that modern factory finishes will hold up better, I expect a lot of the ones that people have had problems with have been refurbed and had acid wheel cleaner used regularly.
Still I’d like to try and prevent it happening as much I can, so touching up the lacquer makes sense to me.

No.
Scuffs, stone chips & the damage caused when doing up wheel nuts will do the trick. First thing you'll usually see is white spidery lines spreading from the damage.

[BraveDave23]

Ok, well I definitely want to touch it up then! Hopefully someone can recommend the right lacquer spray for the job.

[BraveDave23]

Just ordered some Spray Max 2K clear gloss. Seems to be what I’m looking for.

[paintman]

Thoroughly degrease the area you intend to spray.
An idea to lightly scuff the blend area (the existing lacquer around the damage) with a fine scotchpad to give the lacquer a chance to stick or you'll likely find it starts to peel.
All covered on their website - they refer to the blend area as 'edge zones'.

[BraveDave23]

paintman said:

Thoroughly degrease the area you intend to spray.
An idea to lightly scuff the blend area (the existing lacquer around the damage) with a fine scotchpad to give the lacquer a chance to stick or you'll likely find it starts to peel.
All covered on their website - they refer to the blend area as 'edge zones'.

Thanks Paintman. Unfortunately I put wax on it so I have to get that off too. What should I use to degrease/remove the wax? Was planning to use washing up liquid (fairy), then for household painting jobs I’d usually use white spirit, followed by methylated spirit to remove the residue. Would that be ok? I think I have some engine degreaser but not sure if that would be too harsh.
I have some scotchpads so I’ll do that too as you recommended, will the light scuffing show through the lacquer?

[paintman]

Ideally panel wipe/cleaner, but failing that clutch & brake cleaner works.

No idea if meths would do the job.

Lightly scuffed - you're just looking to matt the surface. The clear will cover the scuff.
If you want to check find something painted & lightly scuff it then put water on the scuffed area.

[BraveDave23]

Thanks for your help