Lacquered alloy wheels

[terryp]

Hello
I know this is cheeky as its not for my Elan but it could be........
On my new(!) Seven there is white corrosion under the lacquer of the Compomotive TF 350 alloy wheels
As we are in France, there is no "refurb your alloy for ?15" place , only paint with silver hammerite for 50? a wheel type places (OK if its for a tractor)
Has any one any ideas how I can make them look better?
Is it a case of polishing the old lacquer off with autosolv and reapplying (or not) more lacquer?

Thanks!
PS I've attached a picture of the new car!

[andyhodg]

Hi Terry

I have the "standard" Lotus alloy wheel on my +2 and I had the problem with corrosion under the lacquer on those wheels. My solution was to remove the clear lacquer with a scotchbrite type wheel in a power drill. I then simply polished the bare alloy with autosol. Whilst it does not look as good as the polished and lacqered finish it is significantly better than the corroded finish I had before.

In hindsight I wish I had used a finer abrasive as there are more scratches in the alloy surface that I would like other wise its fine. The alloy just needs the occasional polish with autosol or similar.

[david.g.chapman]

I had the same nasty white corrosion on my NOS Lotus alloy wheels - strips of white on the "spoke" parts of the wheel.

I used Nitromors stripper carefully applied to the spoke only. When the lacquer was removed, I used a Dremel with a white felt polishing disc and some polishing paste. You want a mirrror finish. Then re-lacquer.

Dave Chapman.

[terryp]

Andy / Dave
Thanks for the replys , looks like I have some hard work ahead!
Thanks again
Terry