Protecting bare aluminum wheels

[Shawn]

I asked the question in my build how to project bare machined aluminum wheels. I guess KMC and few other manufactures don't believe they should put a protective clear coat on their wheels which is disappointing. I love the look of machined aluminum but hate when they oxidize over time.



To prevent this, I tried to use Dupli-Color Wheel Clear Coat pictured below. Unfortunately, it gives a horrible yellowish finish over bare aluminum. SO I had to strip it off which is not easy. Its pretty durable stuff! I think if its applied over other colors it would be fine.

Picture shows bare alum at the top, and the Dupli-Color wheel clear coat on the bottom. It turned it into a dull silver with a yellow tint.




I found the crystal clear paints by Krylon and Rustoeum look much better over bare alum. I did a test before I went to town on the other 4. You can see the test area in the red circle where I stripped and tried it.



Here I am trying to remove the old wheel clear coat. This also gives you an idea how the crappy coating looked on the wheel.



Final sprayed wheel with the Rustoleum crystal clear along with the coated beadlock ring.



Other protectant options are these wax/coatings. Needs to applied every couple months but gives another option besides paint. Thanks to @sweetk30 for suggesting the Sharkhide:

 

[nvrenuf]

For billet wheels, like Welds, the only answer is regular polishing. No way I’d ever try to clear my wheels.

 

[Shawn]

I agree a polished wheel would be better left alone or use one if the waxes above

 

[ktmoutfront]

I have used the Sharkhide stuff with success on non show cars. Daily drivers.

Bare polished aluminum is the best but a pain to keep up on a daily driver or wheeling rig.