Rust

[Oldsmoke]

So I'm just dreaming on a set of snazi new chrome wheels for my truck and to my horror I see bubbling and brown stains coming thru the paint above the left front wheel.

Anyone got any experience with the glu in body replacement panels. I have heard you just cut out the rusty area and then cut a patch to fit from the replacement panel and glu it in.

[Chevylover]

Sorry to hear, but no experience with. That is why i don't like these chrome wheels. I love my alcoa ones, cause they are only polished aluminium without any coating or clearcoat on. Salt or stains - just get some sand paper from a auto body paint shop, which they use to get some dust out of the new paint (2000er and up), sand it and re-polish. GONE !

Cu,
Sven

[Oldsmoke]

Thanks for the reply Sven. My truck still has the factory aluminum wheels with what's left of the clearcoat. Problem is every time you get a tire mounted the gorillas seem to get their jollies by seeing how much clearcoat they can knock off and then they hammer on the #*%&ing wheel weights and your wheel is #*%$ed.

If I take these factory wheels and have them blasted and polished without clearcoating would I then have the same finish as your Alcoas?

[Chevylover]

You're correct. My stock wheels, which I only use in winter looksthe same.
That's also a reason, why on the Alcoa's and on evry other expensive rim the weights are only "glue on" and not with hammer.

If you blast your stock wheels, they must use some smooth particles for blasting. The polishing after is also a lot of work, but yes, after this, they will get the same look as the Alcoas and it should be as easy to get some stains, etc. removed like with the Alcoas.

If you've done that, post a picture, cause i think the stock rim, completly polished will look awesome.

Cu,
Sven

[Oldsmoke]

I will look into how much it would cost to refinish my stock aluminums. Maybe if I could polish them myself?

Thanks

[Chevylover]

I will look into how much it would cost to refinish my stock aluminums. Maybe if I could polish them myself?

Thanks

Polishing by yourself isn't the problem. Removing the old clearcoat and getting a smooth finish is it.

Shouldn't look more crappy than before - as I understand you right ?

Cu,
Sven

[Oldsmoke]

Ya, they're all flaky and white patches of aluminum oxide. I don't even know if they would polish up.

[Chevylover]

They will, but only if you remove the clearcoat. The white patches of aluminium oxide are under the clearcoat. My stock wheels,which i only use for winter looks the same, but it is equal for me, becausz i got the alcoa's for summer.


Cu,
Sven

[vmac4]

Oldsmoke for the panel patch.I would check into a replacement panel from
an auto part recycler(LKQ,Greenleaf,ect.)They may be able to match your
body color and will be cheaper in time and labor than cutting out the
fender,glueing in panel,body filler,sanding,painting,sanding,ect.just unbolt the
panel,remove,install new panel.Even if the panel is not the same color,you could have it painted before you install it.

[grancito]

I glue on fiber glass pieces after painting inside and out with tannic acid primer. Lasts 3 to 4 years, and I live on salt flats. When they blow off, I glue them back on and add some more fiber glass up higher on the panel. In another 20 years my truck will be made of fiber glass.

[Oldsmoke]

Thanks guys. My one front fender was replaced in an insurance claim so it is OK so why not replace the other one to? Other problem area is above the rear wheels. Not too bad yet and I'm thinking if I carve a hole into there from inside the box and wash it out real good and then hose it down with used oil it might last quite a while yet.

Just like me she still looks good if you don't look too close.

[Sundance]

Body panel glue is great stuff!! It must be clamped off however.
If the area can not be clamped then use small self tapping screws
to pull the panel and work together while it sets up. Then remove
the screws and fill or weld small hole. (I prefer fill).

As to the wheel issues............... Take them to someone that does
soda blasting and have them done. Then buff the heck out of them
before applying new clearcoat.