Good News - Bad News

[KJRGT]

GOOD NEWS: I took the GT to Willow Springs yesterday with the SoCal Cobra Owner's Club (they rent the track in May and October) and had an absolute blast. :banana My only other experience on that track is with my 70 Boss 302, so needless to say, this was just a tad different. Tremendous balance, acceleration and braking, just a thrill to be able to drive a machine like this. No mechanical issues and no nicks or scratches from the track.

BAD NEWS: Pulled all the wheels off today to clean them inside and out and to get after the suspension and then the engine and frame. Took a power washer to the wheels to blast the months of built up brake dust and the rear wheels shined up just like new. Then onto the front wheels.....where I went brain dead. Set the wheel/tire (BBS Optional) on the driveway, outside down, and proceeded to blast and then wipe the inner wheel down. Little did I know, until I turned over the wheel/tire to blast and wipe the outer side, that the wheel actually extends outside the surface of the outer tire sidewall, and therefore I scratched the wheel big time. :frown *&@#$! idiot.

So...just wanted to give a heads up WARNING :willy to you all who have yet to pull your wheels to clean them up....put down a towel before you place the front wheels inside up to clean them.

Finally, it looks like the scratches went through a surface coating, prohibiting a strong polish/repair job. Is this true? Anyone had a BBS wheel repaired for scratches?

 

[Fubar]

I haven't had the scrath problem but I did use a wheel cleaner that did some mild damage to the BBS finish. I was really shocked. I have been thinking about having them recoated.

Is there any reason not to have them ceramic coated? Would it hold up better than the powder coat thats on them?

 

[ViperJoe]

Don't beat your self up; we've all been there. The wheel can be easily refinished.

 

[KJRGT]

Thanks Joe.
Fubar, what did you use on the wheels to damage the powder coating?

 

[Fubar]

I used aluminum wheel bleach. I always use it on my Cobra (knock-offs) and the wheels look great when I'm done. It really cuts through the brake dust too. Apparently that’s not all it cuts through. Luckily I didn't leave it on there very long. I am probably the only one who would see the discoloration but I ALWAYS see it.

The wash was called Eagle One Aluminum Spray Wash. I should have know better.

 

[Neilda]

:ack :ack

KJR, sorry to read that. I would have been as mad as you - particularly when you're working so hard to detail the car - and then you go and scratch it....

I assume that's the 'new' style wheels you're talking about and that it's the central area damaged? The new style wheels look like they extend out more in the center than the older wheels.

It's a good warning to everyone to watch out - so thanks for the post.

I damaged a wheel on my Vanquish and had the pair refurbished (always have both wheels on the same side refurbed so when looking at the car from the side there's no difference in shade). It's not expensive and you'll be impressed with the results from a decent shop.

 

[Craig]

GOOD NEWS: I took the GT to Willow Springs yesterday with the SoCal Cobra Owner's Club (they rent the track in May and October) and had an absolute blast. :banana My only other experience on that track is with my 70 Boss 302, so needless to say, this was just a tad different. Tremendous balance, acceleration and braking, just a thrill to be able to drive a machine like this. No mechanical issues and no nicks or scratches from the track.

BAD NEWS: Pulled all the wheels off today to clean them inside and out and to get after the suspension and then the engine and frame. Took a power washer to the wheels to blast the months of built up brake dust and the rear wheels shined up just like new. Then onto the front wheels.....where I went brain dead. Set the wheel/tire (BBS Optional) on the driveway, outside down, and proceeded to blast and then wipe the inner wheel down. Little did I know, until I turned over the wheel/tire to blast and wipe the outer side, that the wheel actually extends outside the surface of the outer tire sidewall, and therefore I scratched the wheel big time. :frown *&@#$! idiot.

So...just wanted to give a heads up WARNING :willy to you all who have yet to pull your wheels to clean them up....put down a towel before you place the front wheels inside up to clean them.

Finally, it looks like the scratches went through a surface coating, prohibiting a strong polish/repair job. Is this true? Anyone had a BBS wheel repaired for scratches?

Neilda, I was there with my GT350. It was a great weekend! :cheers
I also did the same thing to my GT wheels a couple of monhths ago, made me sick, and felt like an idiot. :ack I took to a place in SD that said they repaired wheels. The repainted it for $110 in 24 hours. Looks great and a perfect match. http://www.bumperdoc.com

Craig

 

[KJRGT]

Neilda, yes, the center portion of the wheel is the part that juts out past the sidewall and what I scratched. Don't know if they are the "new" wheels or not, my car is an 05 model, #1769.

So Craig, the BBS wheels are painted? I would have been more inclined to agree with Fubar's powder coating position. Either way, there is a wheel shop up here in Burbank that repairs and finishes wheels, they painted the center spokes on my Boss 302's American Racing CL205 wheels, did a great job. I'll give them a call.