So I finally got the used Zender wheels I was hanging out for from Germany.
Brgain price - not serious damage from what I can ascertain but some poor clear coat condition.
So I think a trip to the fixer-uperer's is in order.
I just don't have the time,tools or skills (or inclination) to do it myself.

Being Euro wheels salt/corrosion could be an issue though they look pretty darn clean to me.

What does corrosion on an alloy look like as it is a rare occurence downunder ?

Okay here they are in current state showing overall & worst surface spots.
Lot of it looks like it might high speed polish out or whtever they do before re-clear coating. Run your practiced eyes over and see what you think !

I have used some alloy polish on this first one and it looks a bit better
(A)

 

(B)

 

(C)

 

(D) - WORST OF THE LOT

 

And (COURTESY OF PHOTOSHOP) here is what they will look like on "HILDE"

 

Beautiful rims you have got there, too bad they have got some corrosion on them but that might be possible to do something about. I have my own recepy on how I would do it, others might have another but here you have mine:

First of all you need to get rid of the clear coat all together. Polishing ontop of the clearcoat might give a better shine on the good spots, but you'll never get that bad spots. To get those you need to get under the clearcoat. Besides, the clearcoat actually blocks off some of the chrome effect and gives the rims that greyish film that makes it impossible to polish to top result. So what I would do is mask off all the black paint inside the spokes, and put some paint remover to work that clearcoat off. After a couple of hours I would wash the rims thoroughly before starting the polish job. Try some steel wool gently on the bad spots for starters, or some very fine sandpaper just to get rid of the worst corrosion. Be careful not to make any deep scratches by using too rough paper or tools, as that will just make the polish job harder. This job must be done with presicion. Hopefully you don't have dents in the alloy with corrosion, you will not get rid of the dents but atleast you can make them shine like the rest to make them blend in better. AUTOSOL is your friend while doing this work, and possibly a handheld drill with a polishpad. Or just alot of elbow grease and a pile of polish trays. Because this job is timeconsuming! Been there, done that.. Expect about a days hard work at each rim just polishing.
But the result after hours of hard work really makes it all worth it.

After you have reached a desireable result, you really don't need to put on a new layer of clearcoat. Especially if you don't expose the rims to salted winter roads, but keep them mostly exposed to dry weather. All you need then is a spraycan of Sonax rim protector, and treat the rims once or twice a month or as you wash the car. Just give the rims a quick polish with the Autosol to make the shine really pop, and then just a light spray of sonax and you are ready to roll.

The polished alloys with clearcoat are really a pain, because the clearcoat WILL crack eventually. Some crack along the edge when the tireshop install the tires, and moisture creeps in. After a few months you have grey spots that you won't be able to polish because they are underneath the clearcoat. So that's why I think you are better off without the clearcoat and just give those rims a quick polish each time you wash your car, you will get a much better shine and no corrosion problems that you can't take care of right away.

 

Hey "BSStig" thanks for that advice.
I had not thought of not clearcoating as an option.
I guess most people just assume that's what needs to be redone.
From what I can see there isn't any corrosion but just "corrupted" clear coat that may have gunk underneath (except wheel 4 which looks a bit messy).
They actually look in pretty good condition considering their age.
I assume clear coat is there more as a protective layer to try to prevent damage to the alloy from stone strikes etc.

For the moment I am considering just putting some tread on them and fitting them to the car until the clear coat breaks done some more.
Because of the "rare state" of these I think I would go whole hog when restoring them. There's a couple of specialist restore shops for prestige wheels (not just run of the mill alloys) but it is hand done and expensive.

Whichever way I go I will post pictures once their fitted.
I really think these will set my Coupe off beautifully working with the Zender bodykit beautfiully !

 

Nice rims It's really going to set Zender apart from the pack. Great choice

 

They do look excellent man, even with the bits that are corrupted a bit.

I agree with you: Take your time, get them restored properly.