Can you lacquer polished alloys ?

[Gaz328i]

Hi everyone I have metal polished my M sport wheels for my e36 328i and they’ve come up Great I was just wondering if anyone has ever lacquered they’re polished alloys and if so what did you use and what were your results like any input on this would be much appreciated as I’ve spent a lot of time on them

[mk1coopers]

After all that effort I’d be having them ceramic coated, then keep them clean, put a lacquer over them and you risk them deteriorating with ‘white worming’ if they get chipped

Edited by mk1coopers on Saturday 23 April 05:45

[Gaz328i]

Ok thanks for your help I will look into cost 👍🏻

[InitialDave]

I've found Sonus Aluminum [sic] Sealant to be pretty decent on polished alloys, though not on a daily driver.

[Gaz328i]

Ok thanks Dave this was my grandads car he left me so it’s out in good weather only 👍🏻

[Gaz328i]

Clear powder coat Oh right not cheap mind

[Hotrodytype]

the problem with a paint type lacquer finish on such highly polished alloys is adhesion , as with any paint finish surface prep is key, and key being the operative word a paint finish has to have a good key or it will just shell off . i assume with clear powder coat it gets its adhesion form being baked on?

[V8covin]

You can get self etching 2k clear especially for alloys.It's what they use on diamond cut wheels.

[Hotrodytype]

V8covin said:

You can get self etching 2k clear especially for alloys.It's what they use on diamond cut wheels.

true but i would guess diamond cut is not the same finish as mirror polished like op picture ?

[OldSkoolRS]

I can't help with the lacquer question, but just wanted to say what a lovely job you've done on those alloys.

What did you use to polish them up like that? Ulterior motive; I had my wheels stripped and polished 28 years ago and they could do with a bit of buff, though not really bad enough to justify having them stripped and polished professionally again. Again, not a daily driver.

[remedy]

Many, many years ago I had some Audi TT wheels mirror polished and fitted to my Bora.


As some posters above mentioned, you can't laquer them as there is no key.
I had to wax them every week with Collinite 476. I kept them in good nick for a couple of years. Winter was the hardest, obviously.