Boyce

Has anyone found a DIY method for cleaning oxidation off the AL slotted rims? I am not looking to polish them, just restore them to something near original. Mine have streaks and are unattractive. I read some of the posts, tried a few, but I have not had much success. Thanks in advance.

Rez

I have the same problem with mine, I was thinking about powder coating them with the original color. I have to replace the tires anyway.

EspritS4s

The wheels on my S4 were polished by the PO and are heavily oxidized now. I used Mother's aluminum polish on one of the wheels and it did a great job of removing the oxidation.

-Gary

EspritS4s

If the wheels still have the factory clear coat finish and it's intact, then the wheels shouldn't be oxidized. You wouldn't want to use the AL polish then.

Simon Jester

I don't know what it is, but the finish on my slotted wheels is both ugly and bulletproof.

I've tried using paint stripper, polish and buffing compound. Nothing touches this stuff.

I'm afraid the only choice I have is to sand the finish off and buff the wheels back to a shine.

Anybody got any suggestions?

Ed Taylor

Simon, Try aircraft stripper, available at most auto parts stores. Took the clear off my old wheels, but you will need to polish or paint afterward. HTH

Paul D

The factory slotted (flat) wheels are anodized at the factory. I beleive that this is a type of metal deposition process. I don't think the factory put any clear coats over the anodized surface. The anodized finish will not come off with chemicals. It can be removed by mechanical means (sanding) and the aluminum underneath can then be polished to a bright luster, almost chrome-like. I've polished a few of these slotted of wheels myself with decent results. These are relatively easy to polish since the majority of the surface to be polished is flat. I first tried a few polishing compounds on the anodized surface but I could never get it to look good so I just went ahead and sanded it off.