HHR SS Topics and information on the 2008-2010 Chevy HHR SS Turbocharged models.

Factory 18” SS wheel finish

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-11-2021, 01:36 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PulpFriction's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-05-2014
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 2,383
Factory 18” SS wheel finish

Does anyone know for sure whether the stock SS wheels were bare polished aluminum or had some sort of clear coat? Probably not that important, but I’m thinking about hiding a little rash and painting them with a color I like. If they were bare polished alloy, that would be very reversible. If coated, it would be a bit more work to restore.
PulpFriction is online now  
Old 04-11-2021, 02:45 PM
  #2  
Platinum Member
 
firemangeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,112
Clearcoat.
firemangeorge is offline  
Old 04-11-2021, 02:59 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PulpFriction's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-05-2014
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 2,383
Thanks!
PulpFriction is online now  
Old 04-11-2021, 06:28 PM
  #4  
Administrator
 
Oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,604
You could remove the clear coat and buff them



I did these rims, by hand , several finer grits of wet sand paper , then buffed them with mag wheel polish.
Oldblue is offline  
Old 05-25-2021, 03:15 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
PulpFriction's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-05-2014
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 2,383
Originally Posted by Oldblue

I did these rims, by hand , several finer grits of wet sand paper , then buffed them with mag wheel polish.
Spiffy!
PulpFriction is online now  
Old 05-25-2021, 07:48 PM
  #6  
Administrator
 
Oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,604
Thanks, I did them by hand, but I did use a buffing pad for the final polishing.

I think the SS rims would be easier to do, once you chemically remove or scuff off the clear coat



The aluminum should be nice you could maybe start with 800 grit then 1,000, then 1,500 and the 2,000 , buff and polish and keep them nice with a spray wax . I did not clear coat my wheels
Oldblue is offline  
Old 05-26-2021, 06:31 AM
  #7  
Platinum Member
 
firemangeorge's Avatar
 
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,112
FYI. The space between the spokes is painted a dark metallic gray. If you plan on stripping the clearcoat, some provision/prep will have to be done about this painted area. Don't want to destroy the painted part with stripper.

firemangeorge is offline  
Old 05-26-2021, 06:45 AM
  #8  
Administrator
 
Oldblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,604
Yes , that is not an area you want to try and polish! One of the reasons, I hand sanded the clear coat off. The grey part wasn’t removed



Oldblue is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dougcjohn
General HHR
47
02-16-2020 06:48 PM
Quadoops
HHR SS
0
10-29-2013 08:31 PM
burpootus
Tires & Wheels
6
07-12-2011 12:14 AM
sargechris
HHR SS
4
10-29-2008 02:02 PM
AaronSS
HHR SS
1
09-17-2008 06:24 PM



Quick Reply: Factory 18” SS wheel finish



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 PM.