SLK/R170: Damaged Front Wheel Finish
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Virginia and Texas
99 SLK 230 - US Model
Damaged Front Wheel Finish
The finish on my front wheels has become permanently damaged by 6+ years of disc brake dust. The silver paint (I assume it is paint) has become pitted and won't clean up.
Any ideas of what can be done?
Has anyone ever repainted their wheels?
Can they be coated with something that the brake dust won't damage?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.
Contractsguy
Any ideas of what can be done?
Has anyone ever repainted their wheels?
Can they be coated with something that the brake dust won't damage?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.
Contractsguy
Almost a Member!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
2002 SLK 32
Originally Posted by contractsguy
The finish on my front wheels has become permanently damaged by 6+ years of disc brake dust. The silver paint (I assume it is paint) has become pitted and won't clean up.
Any ideas of what can be done?
Has anyone ever repainted their wheels?
Can they be coated with something that the brake dust won't damage?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.
Contractsguy
Any ideas of what can be done?
Has anyone ever repainted their wheels?
Can they be coated with something that the brake dust won't damage?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and guidance.
Contractsguy
Once refinished you can wax the wheels, but there is no doubt thay you have to wash them at least as often as you wash the car.
There are a number of companies that specialize in wheel refinishing, so you're not alone in not maintaining them....
Do a Google search.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Virginia and Texas
99 SLK 230 - US Model
Thanks for the information, I will look on Google.
I can't explain the exact reason for the damage as I only purchased the car a few months ago. The car appears to be well, so can't explain. Just know that they are damaged and need to be repaired.
Thanks again.
I can't explain the exact reason for the damage as I only purchased the car a few months ago. The car appears to be well, so can't explain. Just know that they are damaged and need to be repaired.
Thanks again.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: UK
Originally Posted by contractsguy
Thanks for the information, I will look on Google.
I can't explain the exact reason for the damage as I only purchased the car a few months ago. The car appears to be well, so can't explain. Just know that they are damaged and need to be repaired.
Thanks again.
I can't explain the exact reason for the damage as I only purchased the car a few months ago. The car appears to be well, so can't explain. Just know that they are damaged and need to be repaired.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Virginia and Texas
99 SLK 230 - US Model
This weekend I took the wheels off of the car and cleaned them with "Simple Green" and a tooth brush. I tried several different (non-acid) cleaners and Simple Green was the only product that worked well. With a lot of elbo grease I was able to make the wheels look almost new.
As a result of the Simple Green I no longer have a need to have the wheels refinished.
Hope Simple Green works for you as well as it worked for me. A little car wax after the wheels were dry and they look great!
As a result of the Simple Green I no longer have a need to have the wheels refinished.
Hope Simple Green works for you as well as it worked for me. A little car wax after the wheels were dry and they look great!
