90 ZR-1 rims

[Don B.]

My 1990 ZR-1 rims seem to have a clear plastic coating over the aluminum. Is this a factory stock arrangement or is this not the case?? The reason I ask is that I recently saw a rim that appeared to be polished and have wondered how that could be accomplished if there was a coating in place. The follow up to this would be: How can the coating be removed in order to polish the rims?? And, maybe another question would be: Is removing the coating a good idea, in the first place??
TNX

[mike mccagh]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims

i have three sets of 90 ZR1 rims( on the stock 90 Z, the farm use 61 vette with 92 ZR1 drivetrain, and a set on the 41 willys pickup, also ZR1 drivetrain). all 12 rims have a clear coat applied over the freshly machined and polished rims(done when GM supplier made them). once the intergity of the clear coat is compromised(chips from road use), the clear coat tends to seperate around the chip. eventually the wheel looks like crap and the only cure is to remove the clear coat and re-polish and if you wish to prevent further oxidation of the newly re-polished rim, another clear coat should be applied. Paint remover will get rid of the factory clear coat. re-poloshing the rims will be your winter project. if the rims on your ZR1 are in good shape, i'd let them be. good luck, mike

[John L.]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims/Clearcoat - Mike M

Mike, if you were to repolish then reclearcoat what would type of clearcoat would you use? Is there a specific brand or process one would use in their home shop or is this something left to the pros? Just wondering as I had thought of polishing a set of rims also. Thanks, John

[mike mccagh]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims/Clearcoat - Mike M

the only clear coats i've used for other applications are the lacquer rattle cans available at NAPA-type auto supply houses. i wouldn't use a lacquer clear coat for a wheel that was gonna be exposed to the rocks etc on our tar and chipped roads.i suspect the GM suplier for c-4 wheels used a urethane clear coat. if the powder coaters have a clear coat(never asked my powder coater and he's since went tits up), i'd go that route. you could just polish and leave bare but i suspect you'd have to rep[olish frequently and keep salt off them. mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims

Don------

Not only were the ZR-1 wheels clearcoated, but all Corvette wheels from at least 1991 onward were also clear coated. Everything that Mike mentioned applies to ALL.

Removing the coating and not reapplying same is a BAD idea. The wheel finish will deteriorate rapidly without a clear coat.

[Don B.]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims

Thanks, guys, for the informaiton. Just as I suspected and you have confirmed, a clear coat exists on the rims. I have a RF rim with curb rash (came with car that way) and I've been looking for a replacement at a reasonable price. Got screwed by a guy on e-bay who sent me damaged rims and, on their return, kept my investment! I really hate it when that happens! Is there a way to turn down the rim lip to remove the rash (I'm sure there is, but is this commonly done)?? All other postiions are in good shape with minimal damage. Saw another RF rim, but was more shiny than mine - suspected that coating had been remove and rim polished for shine.
TNX

[John H.]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims

Don -

The classified section in the back of AutoWeek magazine always has three or four ads from outfits that specialize in aluminum wheel repair and refinishing.

[Don B.]

Re: 90 ZR-1 rims

Thanks, John. If I decide to ultimately keep this ZR-1 and manage to find a good RF rim that matches the others, I'll probably want to restore the set, so I'll check out the ads.
Don