dskippy888

Bob, thank you for the extensive explanation advice!

I do believe you are right in the oxidation of the wheel. Given that this is the case, would you recommend using that Aluminum polish? If this black blotchy stuff is indeed oxidation, does that mean the annodized finish is certainly lost forever?

ShawnSmith

I've got a set of shiny-clean 1988 flats sitting right here. The finish has all the hallmarks of a nice powdercoat style paint job - there's even orange-peel type texture on inner surfaces and flecks of metallic in it. No sign of chrome, no sign of anodization.

Are you folks SURE these things are not painted? I've never seen "anodization" with a shiny top coat, orange-peel, metallic flakes, etc. Could we be simply talking about electro-static paint as opposed to actual anode metal-plating?

dr bob

Nope. Originally anodized. Not sayoing that they couldn't have been painted, but the owner says no.

What to do:

Start off with a good pH-neutral detergent and one of those abrasive sponge pads (Scotch-Brite pad in the U.S.) and get as much off as you can. Then decide if you want to try hand polishing with the Mothers or take them to a pro wheel finishing place. I'm here to tell you that I spent the better part of a day getting my pretty-nice wheels to closer-to-perfect condition. Knowing what I know now, I'd have dropped them off at the wheel re-anodizers with my Visa number and let them do their work on them. Or found another set in perfect condition and just resold mine.

Shawn--

My less-than-perfect results left me with exactly the finish you describe. I'd smoothed over the anodizing with the various polishes, giving the surface a slight sheen. Original is a dull to maybe satin finish, such that any chemical mistakes trash the surface almost instantly. I'm not aware of any polish or other chemical that will restore that original dull surface, short of stripping and re-anodizing.

pcar928fan

The flat slotted dish wheels are so old now that you are likely to see ANYTHING. Also since they were anodized from the factory and so few people knew how to clean them properly many were ruined and instead of making them factory again (either because they could not find a place to anodize them, they didn't know what the finish WAS in the first place, or could not afford to fix properly) you see them with all kinds of finishes today...

dr bob

Painting is probably a very reasonable option for flats that are not on your councours queen. A good painted finish is a lot more tolerant of a little chemical abuse, and can be easily spiffed up with the same chemicals you use on the painted parts of the body. If you choose a common color, they can be successfully touched up if there's a nick or scratch. Not so the anodized finish.


I replaced my refurb'd flats with painted factory wheels from a later car. Much easier to manage the brake dust, normal road dirt, etc. The 17" size allows me to use better tires too, since performance 16" sizes are getting tougher to find. We regularly see 18" and sometimes 19" 997 takeoffs available, and those happen to come in sizes and offsets that fit the 928 nicely.

Jim bailey - 928 International

All the flat wheels were anodized. Anodized aluminum is an extremely hard surface and very resistant to corrosion HOWEVER it STAINS WELL . All those colorful braided stainless hose fittings in red ,blue etc. are but one example of how well they stain. The streaking and staining is nearly always a well meaning carwash guy or detailer trying to make the dull flat finished wheel "shine" . Vasoline was the ONLY thing Porsche said to put on that finish.

Daniel Dudley

Yes, wash them with dishwashing detergent, and try rubbing them out with Vasoline. That is how I do mine. Mother's might help get the oxidation out of the pores in the anodizing, but finish up with Vasoline.

dskippy888

I found a nice day to work on the wheels and have come to satisfactory results, albeit not 100% perfect. I basically just used dish soap which took off some of the really caked on road contaminants, brake dust, tar, etc. Then just used a cleaner wax on the "stained" bits, followed by a really thorough scrub down with Meguair's wheel cleaner (but you have to work fast as the instructions tell you to only soak in the solution for 15 seconds). Rinsed off. And here are the before and after...

BEFORE



AFTER

dr bob

Great! That's what they are supposed to look like!

dskippy888

Thanks for the help once again!

I decided not to use the Mother's product because upon a second read of the product label, it is in fact not recommended for annodized wheels. Thank goodness!

atb

Nice Job dskippy!
You nailed the factory "satin luster" look of the stock finish.
My favorite look for this particular wheel over any other polished, chromed, or painted surface. Nice.

Marine Blue

Nice job!

A little effort goes along way towards getting a nice looking shark.

You may want to put a coat of wax on their to keep the brake dust from sticking in the future.

pcar928fan

Much better. Now you need to get a tooth brush (or some other soft brush) and work the slots a little better. I tell you what the Porsche wheel cleaner is expensive but it really is good stuff and safe for your wheels. I used to get it at the dealership all the time...