[Speak99]

Any thoughts on powder coating the gloss black rims? Stupid me, I micro scratched brand new redline rims by not cleaning them properly two weeks into ownership. Brought them back to the dealership, they buffed and ceramic coated them. I have since been more delicate while cleaning them. But still got some micro scratches again.

I hate this?

Will powder coating them help eliminate this?

[zaimer]

What are/were you cleaning the rims with that it is leaving scratches? Sand paper? A wash mitt soaked in gravel? You shouldn't take your rims into a dealership to be buffed and ceramic coated (if they even coated them).

Your "micro scratches" - are you talking swirls or actual scratches in the finish? Black is one of the worst, if not THE worst, color for most blemishes.

[Speak99]

swirls...my bad. You can see them in the right light.

[zaimer]

That's the nature of the beast for black paint. You can minimize by properly washing, but it is not going to be perfect. Powder coating is not going to make a major difference IMO unless you went with a different color.

I can almost guarantee that your (body) paint has imperfections... you just haven't seen them yet, because that color does a much better job of concealing.

[Speak99]

I didn't think powder coating would get rid of these swirls, i think they put on a clear coat to get it shinny don't they?

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by Speak99

I didn't think powder coating would get rid of these swirls, i think they put on a clear coat to get it shinny don't they?

In some cases, yes. I would say just maintain your rims properly and just accept that they won't be 100% perfect all of the time. Treat the rims as you would your car body - because the surface is VERY similar. I'm assuming you had to pay to have the dealership buff the rims. I obviously don't know what was paid, but that could have been used to invest in your own buffing arsenal.

I have black rims as well. Mine had collected minor swirls and ghosting. I actually had just recently improved them. I took all 4 wheels off, cleaned & buffed...now they are shiny and a deep black.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Speak99

I didn't think powder coating would get rid of these swirls, i think they put on a clear coat to get it shinny don't they?

Yes. If your clearcoat has swirls, that's because of bad cleaning technique and/or dirty, clogged or non-microfiber towels that you might have used. It only takes dropping a microfiber towel, then picking it up and touching the wheel again to introduce a good amount of scratches almost instantaneously.

There is an entire detailing section in the forums, I'd read up on the advice real pros (not weekend amateurs like me) give, and of course there is the multitude of youtube resources from detailers.

[sengli]

On my rims, which are stockers on the last several new camaro's I have owned recently. I have used hot water in my pressure washer to wash them. I never touch them with anything but water. It blasts off the ever present black brake dust with ease, and leaves them clean enough for me, to not notice. To each his own of course.

[CHASLT1]

Someone on the Vette forums had their wheels warped from a bad coater. They must have really used too much heat. Not saying all coaters are like that, but just pick the right people to deal with.

[dpevans]

Just the fact the wheels are spinning leads to micro scratching and scarring. I had the blacks (powder coated from the factory) started looking pretty beat up and I take great care of my car but impossible to keep perfect. I had them stripped and powder coated in charcoal. I did notice that aftermarket powder coaters put a heavier coat of clear on top so it should give more material for correction when needed.

[dpevans]

I know it's hard to see but the original black have a lot of micro marring. The Charcoal was just done.

[Speak99]

So, what i think everyone here is saying is that the average Camaro owner has two dilemmas: one, keeping the paint pristine and two, having fun driving it. Looks like we all need to balance them both.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Speak99

So, what i think everyone here is saying is that the average Camaro owner has two dilemmas: one, keeping the paint pristine and two, having fun driving it. Looks like we all need to balance them both.

You can use PowerStop Z26 brake pads to significantly reduce dusting and then you don't need to clean the wheels so often. I for one didn't do it, brake dust don't faze me and I like the bite of the Ferodos.

Then again, my gloss black wheel paint is no longer absolutely pristine (I can always polish or ceramic coat them, powder coating being an option, too), and others here had success with these pads.

[zaimer]

Originally Posted by Speak99

So, what i think everyone here is saying is that the average Camaro owner has two dilemmas: one, keeping the paint pristine and two, having fun driving it. Looks like we all need to balance them both.

My solution: I just remove my wheels before I drive.