I don't have a pic right now, but I recently put on the summer wheels, which are the OEM AP1 5-spokes. I hand washed them in the tub before putting them on, because my condo complex hadn't turned on the outside water yet...

But getting an up close look and having them squeaky clean, the clear coat seems to have suffered some nasty aging. It's got a look like old plastic sometimes gets with hairline cracks... and if the sun hits it on the right angle, it looks bad.

I use a kitchen sponge to clean the wheels, so I'm pretty sure that didn't cause the clear coat damage. But whatever it is, the only temporary fix is spraying wet tire shine on the wheels, as it seems to work its way in there and render the cracks invisible for a while.

Anyways, I anticipate I'll need new tires in a year, so I'm curious about my options. What's the best solution for reconditioning? Is there a DIY rattle-can clear coat worth trying? Or should I go all-out and have 'em powder coated?

 

You mean new wheels right? Just have em blasted and powdercoated if you are going to keep them.

 

Probably at the end of the year I'll put new tires on the original wheels, so it would be convenient timing to recondition them without tires or weights on them.

I wasn't sure if there was a better temp solution for the summer time. Can powdercoating replicate the OEM look with the machined front surface and silver painted insides?

 

Powder coat is paint so no it wont. The original finish is a polished finish. Clearcoating over clear usually does not come out looking very good. Pm Scott or Jeff Hard to top as they both powdercoat and can give you a definate answer

 

actually Zip scott doesnt powdercoat. his buddy Chris does it.
603-493-5411 is his number. give him a call. great guy... amazing finishes. He powder coasted my valve cover. since MY00 is more black than red i inverted the colors... so now the coil cover is red and the valve cover itself is black.

 

Thanks Luis! I knew Scott didnt actually do it but it was done thru his business or something like that.
Thanks for the correct info though

Dave

 

You can go either way, powder coat or you can have them refinished back to
the Honda OEM specs, whichever you prefer.

 

Any idea what refinishing to OEM would cost?

 

Personally....I'd take a swing at the rattle can approach. Lightly scuff 'em up with some 800+ Sand paper and give em a coat.

if they don;t come out nice....you can more on to more involvred refinishing.

 

I'm having some curb rash fixed which involves completely refinishing 1 wheel and
that is going to cost me $160. Would probably be a little less if there were no repairs
needed prior to refinishing.