hello all.

recently i bought some curb damaged 18” alloys for my a3 and thought i’d try to refurb them. i started filling, sanding then started to prime but the primer was cracking, so i decided to completely start from the base. i have been trying to strip them for a couple weeks now using a stripper and a jet washer which at first was going quite well, however i’ve ran into some really tacky and rubber like layer which although comes off at some parts, a lot of it just won’t budge and it’s quite frustrating me and after not getting a lot of help from google i was hoping i could get some help and advice on here. im just looking to see if there’s a way i can do it that would make it easy, a product that would be more effective or wether i might be better getting them sorted professionally. cheers

ive attached some pics of the wheels and stripper im using.

- also seems to be a weird shiny layer that when i jet wash starts to turn a darker colour rather that coming off.

 

The sticky flakey layer is a form of lacquer which is likely why paint stripper is not shifting it. Try wiping with cellulose thinners or lacquer thinners.

ahh right, that would explain it. appreciate the help cliff - will update how it goes when i get my hands on some tomorrow. thank you 👌

Refurburbishing alloys is a thankless task, and to be honest it’s one of these things best left to the professionals and powder coating, rebalance, etc. That’s different if it was just a scuff, but this is a full strip-down.

The time, cost of materials, including zinc etch primer, base coat primer, colour coat and a few coats of lacquer soon mounts up.

If you’re determined to do it, then the alloys need to be spotless. Paint wise, then Würth silver metallic is as close to Audi OE as you’ll get.

Edited July 8, 2025Jul 8 by spartacus 68

cheers for the advice spartacus. 

absolutely it’s been a long few weeks of trial and error and a lot of redoing/undoing. even though i cant yet get my head around spending nearly £300 to refurbish a set of alloys i bought for £160 isn’t easy😂,  it may be getting close to that,  i have bought the materials such as primer, paint, lacquer, paint stripper, filler and a couple other bits to help me i may have got a bit deep into it. also heard about a hosepipe ban which will be some issue considering my pressure washer is my main source of actual paint removal at the minute. as i said aswell i gave the painting an attempt but they turned out in a looking pretty botched… as much as i’d love to stick them, your probably right in best leaving it to the pros. 

 

and regarding the advice cliff gave me, i didn’t have much luck with the cellulose thinner as it just seemed to do the same as the paint stripper had, though it did losen it up to be able to remove some bits.

Good on you for trying Frank, but if you had asked for advice as to whether it was a worthwhile DIY job, then I think most responses would have been as Richard says. 
Whether you now continue or get them done is a big question, but perhaps pessimistic, there will likely be areas of some that you won’t be happy with - as thorough as you are. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

thanks for the reply gareth, 

yeah i think i’ve come to the decision that i need to stop 😂 think the reason i’ve kept going is i can’t accept the fact it’s a bit past my capabilities - and the internet has a good way of making hard things seem easy… also that feeling when you’ve done something and your happy with it is unbeatable. but from the majority of advice i’ve got, it seems best to leave it to those who know what they’re doing.

i appreciate the help i’ve been given and think i’ve found the best solution i can 👌

cheers fellas.

- edit- on the point about no matter what there will still be imperfections, that may be the deal breaker for me as im a bit of a perfectionist and i’d hate to go through all the effort and still be unhappy with them 😂

 

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by frankA38PA

Absolutely the right call. Didn’t want to be all doom and gloom, but a dedicated wheel refurbisher will remove the tyre. Sounds basic, but given any corrosion on the alloy face could be on the rim too, then it all kind of  makes sense.

In addition, whether 1k or 2k paint, it’s impractical to paint an entire rim with aerosols. There are a few tools out there regards aerosols and trigger sprays, but between masking, weather (wind or flies and other debris), it takes what should be straight forward on paper and turns it into a nightmare.

You’ve already said you’re a perfectionist. On the positive, if they are genuine Audi alloys, then that’s half the battle.

Edited July 10, 2025Jul 10 by spartacus 68

not doom and gloom at all, i asked for advice on what my next steps should be and you provided that.

yeah i can understand about the tires as the time probably could have been halfed if i wasn’t having to be so careful - and of course, corrosion on the actual rim which i never even considered.

on the painting side, as i said i gave it a go before i decided to start from scratch… i came up with a nice idea of sticking playing cards all round the rim which worked well… until the wind arrived 😂 

hopefully they’re genuine audi alloys 😅 but suppose alloys are alloys and i like the look of them. though how would i check to see if they are genuine or not? guessing probably on the inside of the rim covered in muck?

as disappointed i am that i had to give up my job, im glad i came here and asked for advice because now i know which move to make

They look genuine, thought I saw the Audi rings near the wheel bolts, turn them over, usually a part number on the rear.

Hello Frank, 

I completely understand the logic of why you wanted to DIY this - job satisfaction is indeed rewarding. The problem here is, you won’t be completely happy with the end result. If it was just a question of rubbing down some scratches, priming, and a couple of light coats of colour - just to make them look a bit better - then fine. 
Take some positives from it Frank, although it’s possible, you have found it’s not worth while. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

i think your right spartacus, im out right now but i’m pretty sure i do remember seeing that audi symbol. that’s definitely a bonus then.

to be honest gareth, that was what i first had in mind, sanding some scratches, filling them, sanding again and then painting… but for some reason i tried to paint too much over and it caused the primer to split. and yes, definitely. at least i’ve now realised how challenging a task it is and that it’s not worth all the effort. but your right, i do love to DIY and you get that sense of achievement and another thing to add to the resume😂 - not this time though of course

 

thanks

frank.