A protective clearcoat and/or base color is applied to the surface of the original equipment cast aluminum wheels. Surface degradation can begin to develop if uncoated balance weights are used, or if frequent, repeated automatic car wash cleaning wears off the factory applied protective clearcoat and/or base color. This can happen at some automatic car wash facilities that use aggressive silicone carbide tipped tire brushes to clean the whitewalls and the tires. Exposure to caustic cleaners and/or to road salt causes further surface degradation once the protective clearcoat is damaged.

The refinishing of aluminum wheels requires that the wheel surface be plastic media blasted to remove old clearcoat or paint. The remachining or the use of chemical strippers is not recommended due to the concerns for repair durability. The service procedure details how to strip, how to clean, and how to recoat the aluminum wheels that are affected by the above condition.

Caution: To avoid serious personal injury when applying any two part component paint system, follow the specific precautions provided by the paint manufacturer. Failure to follow these precautions may cause lung irritation and allergic respiratory reaction.

1. Remove the tire and wheel.

•	For vehicles with steel wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

•	For Chevrolet and Oldsmobile vehicles with aluminum wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

•	For Pontiac and Export vehicles with aluminum wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

2. Remove the balance weights and valve stem from the wheel.
3. Remove the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting
4. Use a suitable remover to wipe the following from the wheel:

•	Wipe the excess grease from the wheel.

•	Wipe the excess wax from the wheel.

•	Wipe the excess dirt from the wheel.

Important: 

•	Do not re-match the aluminum wheels.

•	Do not use chemical strippers.

5. Remove the old clearcoat and the old paint from the wheel by plastic media blasting the wheel.

Light sanding of the wheel, while manually spinning the wheel, may also be done to restore the circular machined appearance.

6. Mask off the wheel mounting surface and the lug nut contact surfaces. These areas must remain free of paint and/or clearcoat.
7. Follow the individual formula and process provided by the manufacturer of each specific paint system to perform the painting process.
8. Unmask the wheel.
9. Install new valve stem.
10. Install the tire to the wheel. Refer to Tire Mounting and Dismounting
11. Rebalance the tire and wheel using new coated balance weights.
12. Clean all the wheel mounting surfaces of the following:

•	Of any corrosion.

•	Of any overspray.

•	Of any dirt.

13. Install the tire and wheel.

•	For vehicles with steel wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

•	For Chevrolet and Oldsmobile vehicles with aluminum wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

•	For Pontiac and Export vehicles with aluminum wheels, refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .