For 1990-2009 cars

The manufacturer applies a protective clear or colored coating to the surface of stock, cast aluminum wheels. The wheel surface may degrade if this clear coating is damaged or removed. Degradation may occur at automatic car wash facilities using silicon carbide-tipped tire brushes in order to clean white walls and tires. Once the protective coating is damaged, caustic cleaners and/or road salt causes further surface degradation. The following procedure explains how to strip, clean, and recoat damaged aluminum wheel surfaces.

### Required Materials

• | Amchem Alumi Prep 33, stock no. DX533, or equivalent cleaning and conditioning chemical for aluminum.

• | Amchem Alodine 1001, stock no. DX501, or equivalent coating chemical for aluminum.

• | Ditzler Delclear Acrylic Urethane Clear, stock DAU-75, or equivalent.

• | Ditzler Delthane Ultra-Urethane Additive, stock DXR-80, or equivalent.

### Service Procedure

1. Mark the position of the wheel to the wheel studs.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. Mark the location of the outboard weights.
4. Remove the outboard weights.
5. Wash the wheel inside and out with a water-based, all-purpose cleaner. Remove grease and oil with solvent cleaner.
6. Mask off the tire. You are not required to remove the tire from the wheel. If you do remove the tire, mark the tire position using the valve stem as an index. Remount the tire in its original position.
7. Replace the wheel weights with polyester coated weights.
8. Install the wheel and tire onto the vehicle.

### Wheel Surface Damage Repair

1. Mount the wheel and tire on a brake lathe.
2. Slowly spin the wheel and tire.
3. Sand the wheel with a backing block or pad. Use the following procedure:

3.1. | Hold the abrasive flat against the surface of the wheel.

3.2. | Slowly move the abrasive back and forth from the center to the edge.

3.3. | Use the following grits, in the order listed:

3.3.1. | 80 grit

3.3.2. | 150 grit

3.3.3. | 240 grit

### Accent Color Preparation

Sand painted areas which will not require recoloring with 400 grit (wet or dry) abrasive in order to promote adhesion of the clear coat.