Is my lacquer ruined?

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:30 pm

Hi guys

Today was my first time washing the car and I could not shift the mess on my wheels. It looks like something has run down the wheels at some point and has maybe damaged the lacquer? I never used a wheel cleaner, just the pressure washer and car shampoo.

: 20190313_182035-min.jpg (146.8 KiB) Viewed 2844 times

Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated.

Also, are the 'M' badges glued on? I'm missing two.

Regards
Will

Z4M-2006 · Post by **Z4M-2006** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:32 pm

Looks like a cheap wheel refurb and someone has used wheel acid to clean them..

From the pic it doesnt look like a lot can be done to improve them.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:01 pm

I would get some degreasing wheel cleaner on those, before you panic too much. No guarantees, but hopefully that will shift. The laquer finish does look quite dull mind you. Yes the badges are just glued on.

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:27 pm

Hopefully you're right buzyg and the degreaser will do the trick. I have Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel Cleaner and Surfex arriving tomorrow. Initially my worry was along the lines of what you said Z4M-2006. Hopefully not though in this case. Fingers crossed

john-e89 · Post by **john-e89** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:29 pm

Z4M-2006 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:32 pm Looks like a cheap wheel refurb and someone has used wheel acid to clean them..

From the pic it doesnt look like a lot can be done to improve them.

Left on too long or forgotten to rinse off at all perhaps..

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:39 pm

john-e89 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:29 pm
Z4M-2006 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:32 pm Looks like a cheap wheel refurb and someone has used wheel acid to clean them..

From the pic it doesnt look like a lot can be done to improve them.
Left on too long or forgotten to rinse off at all perhaps..

If that is the case, will any amount of polish shift it?

john-e89 · Post by **john-e89** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:42 pm

GixerWill wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:39 pm
john-e89 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:29 pm
Z4M-2006 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:32 pm Looks like a cheap wheel refurb and someone has used wheel acid to clean them..

From the pic it doesnt look like a lot can be done to improve them.
Left on too long or forgotten to rinse off at all perhaps..
If that is the case, will any amount of polish shift it?

If Gaz is right about the cheap refurb then I doubt it I’m afraid Will, the acid will have bitten into the paint. Worth a shot polishing but looks like a refurb job imho. Bad luck fella, not what you want.

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 11:06 pm

john-e89 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:42 pm
GixerWill wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:39 pm
john-e89 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:29 pm Left on too long or forgotten to rinse off at all perhaps..
If that is the case, will any amount of polish shift it?
If Gaz is right about the cheap refurb then I doubt it I’m afraid Will, the acid will have bitten into the paint. Worth a shot polishing but looks like a refurb job imho. Bad luck fella, not what you want.

Yeah definitely not what I want (more expense), will see if I can make them look more presentable tomorrow.
Although, it could offer a chance for a slight colour change.

Cheers for the advice guys

Angelus666 · Post by **Angelus666** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 11:47 pm

Are the other wheels the same or just this one?

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Thu Mar 14, 2019 1:40 am

Angelus666 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 11:47 pm Are the other wheels the same or just this one?

All four look very similar.

synthedup · Post by **synthedup** » Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:11 am

Try running a small area down with some 2000/2500 wet and dry and then polish. They may come up ok.

Angelus666 · Post by **Angelus666** » Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:55 am

If you find you can polish most of the marks away, it might be worth getting a can of clear coat and having a go yourself first. There’s lots of YouTube videos on how to do this, very straight forward and the results are often pretty good. If that fails then get then refurbed for £200 or so for the set.

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:29 am

Turns out wet and dry only made them worse

I took a trip to a local 'Auto Styling' company. Didn't even know that was a thing. They said it looks as though someone has used a form of acid based cleaner on it at some point. So basically, the wheels need a full refurbishment.

On the bright side, they can do all the work for me if I am willing to leave the car with them for two days. Anthracite, Shadow Chrome, or maybe back to the factory colour. Total cost: £260.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 1:05 am

GixerWill wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:29 am Turns out wet and dry only made them worse

I took a trip to a local 'Auto Styling' company. Didn't even know that was a thing. They said it looks as though someone has used a form of acid based cleaner on it at some point. So basically, the wheels need a full refurbishment.

On the bright side, they can do all the work for me if I am willing to leave the car with them for two days. Anthracite, Shadow Chrome, or maybe back to the factory colour. Total cost: £260.

That should look great. Guy might just have done you a favour wrecking the laquer.

An expensive favour that is.

GixerWill · Post by **GixerWill** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:11 am

Every cloud and all that...

Any suggestions for wheel colour welcome. My car is black with red interior. In the future I will probably change (paint/wrap/dip) all the silver trim in the car to gloss black, if that makes any difference. I am partial to Anthracite, although I do like keeping the car fairly OEM looking. Mmm

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