HHR 17" wheels- clearcoat removal?
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,083
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Member
Joined: 12-21-2015
Posts: 46
From: Prescott, Az
I have 2 sets of wheels and removed the clear coat with this product. Read directions and it works real well. I then did the sanding, polished them with the Renegade Pro Red metal polish. And finished with Magic metal polish. I have not clear coated them. However, I do spend some time polishing them every month, but just enough to make them look old.
KLEAN-STRIP Aircraft Paint Remover, Professional Grade Paint Stripper for Cars & Metal Surfaces, VOC Compliant, 1 Quart
Renegade Products USA Pro Red Liquid Metal Polish - Heavy Cut Aluminum Metal Polish High Luster on Rims, Wheels, Tanks, Bumpers, Chrome, Stainless Steel, Metal, Car Scratch Remover 24 Oz Bottle
KLEAN-STRIP Aircraft Paint Remover, Professional Grade Paint Stripper for Cars & Metal Surfaces, VOC Compliant, 1 Quart
Renegade Products USA Pro Red Liquid Metal Polish - Heavy Cut Aluminum Metal Polish High Luster on Rims, Wheels, Tanks, Bumpers, Chrome, Stainless Steel, Metal, Car Scratch Remover 24 Oz Bottle
Senior Member
Joined: 12-05-2014
Posts: 3,368
From: Northern Ohio
PSA for those trying to clean up the 18” 10-spoke HHR SS wheels - note the gray paint in the five gaps between the closely spaced spokes. It’s usually undamaged, so perhaps best to just leave it. I know of one owner who was disappointed when he got all done stripping, polishing, and recoating, only to realize that he had also removed the paint. Most wouldn’t care, but it’s a restoration boo-boo.
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,083
From: Welland,Ont Canada
I’ve taken great care in removing curb rash in several sets of HHR aluminium alloy rims, and still haven’t been able to match the SS paint as mentioned above, it was much easier to drop off my 18 hole steelies, have them sand blasted then powder coated. My guy will clear coat the SS rims but won’t try to do the grey area.
It’s a tedious task for a full restoration job.
My summer rims are from a 2006 2LT , I cut and buffed the clear that was on them from the factory and they look great , from 50 feet!
It’s a tedious task for a full restoration job.
My summer rims are from a 2006 2LT , I cut and buffed the clear that was on them from the factory and they look great , from 50 feet!
Senior Member
Joined: 12-05-2014
Posts: 3,368
From: Northern Ohio
What does that cost? Last I heard, (several years ago,) Detroit Wheel would refinish them for $150/ea., and GM would sell you remanufactured ones for $200/ea. plus your cores.
There’s an outfit in Cleveland that will do “black chrome” to your specs, virtually any shade you want. The finish is clearcoat. MUCH more expensive.
There’s an outfit in Cleveland that will do “black chrome” to your specs, virtually any shade you want. The finish is clearcoat. MUCH more expensive.