OH NO! Mother's Powerball Ruined My Rim!
 

I am so upset right now...I have an '05 G35x and it was a beautiful day in Mass. today, so I decided to use the Powerball to clean my rims. I had done this before with no problems, so I didn't twice about using it (along with the special cleaner). I'll let the pictures speak for themselves - what can I do, if anything? The only option that comes to mind for me is to have the dealership replace this rim with my spare, but I would rather fix it and save the spare for when I really need it.

I am so depressed....

Ummm, Mothers Powerball is made not for paint. It's for alum/metal materials!!! Doh.

^+1 - - as a matter of fact the ad in this month's Automobile says:

"...polish wheels, chrome, diamond plate, stainless steel and even plastic headlight taillight lenses."

From that I gathered that they're talking only about plated metals. Admittedly, they dont (unfortunately) specifically say that with regard to wheels though.

Review the verbiage on the packaging and your instructions. Maybe it's something you can take up with Mothers if there is in fact a loophole in the information they've provided with regard to the surface types that you can utilize the PowerBall on!

Just be thankful that its not a section of you wheel that is gouged out! Being that the surface is still smooth, you may be able to get the area repainted and blended very inconspicuously! I'd be learning toward that solution. helluva lot cheaper than a new OEM wheel:D

Yup....
 

The fine print on the back of the solution is so tiny I never saw it...I bought it because it was advertised in Motor Trend and figured that what it was used for.

Idiot....(me)

That's what I thought as well, not for painted surfaces.

mkrzyzek, does your G have a full sized spare? You could swap that wheel out if so.

Spare Tire
 

Hi ABQ, yes I do have a full size spare so I can replace it. However, I was hoping to "save" it until I really needed it...but it doesn't look like I have a choice now...sigh.

Well, I would go that route, with the size of that mess, of course one other thing you could do, be expensive probably, but would be to have the wheels chromed, my '04 had the stock wheels chromed, looked good!

does this also means wheels that is clearcoat? was also planning on using it on my polished lip.....anyone had this experience?

well this is one of those times that you "really need it " :p

I think this is your best option, although I would check a reputable tire shop as the dealer may rape your wallet.

I had a problem with my wheel to so I replaced it with a spare. No, I didnot exchange tires, I replaced it with my new spare tire. I could careless about tread ware

always patch test on a not-so-visible area

If you've got a full sized spare, use it and make the messed up one your spare.
You could try to have that rim refinished, but why bother? It'll do perfectly for a spare.

C.

Check out Rim Pro up in Tewksbury. They specialize in wheel repair. Never dealt with them myself, but I've heard good things.

Thank you to everyone!