so i took my 97 ITR sedan to a road course / autocross hybrid event this weekend (1 mile long course + 10 consecutive laps at a time + 100+ mph in the long straight = slightly better than SCCA solo or pro solo, but course is still flat (airstrip) and made of cones so not real road racing).

the car is *BONE* stock with the exception of Hawk HP+ pads up front and in the rear (stock 4x114.3 brakes = GSR calipers, pads, and 10.5" rotors), ATE Super Blue Fluid, 205/50/15 Falken Azenis RT-215's, Mugen Strut Tower Bar, Mugen Pedals.

So after my second group of runs, my stock 4x114.3 CW wheels up front are getting blacker and blacker from brake dust at the outside edges and up the spokes, but in the middle i noticed that they are starting to turn yellow/brown.

I had hoped it was a figment of my imagination, but sadly when I gave her a bath last night at the carwash, the brake dust did clean up nicely, but the front wheels (especially the left front) are still discolored yellow/brown. It is in stark contrast to the CW center caps right next to the discoloration.

so here's what i'm wondering...

1) has this happened to other owners of CW wheels that have tracked them?
2) is it possible to clean it up or will I be forced to re-paint or powder coat?
3) is it recommended to blast and re-paint them if i will continue tracking them, or will I always have discoloration problems coming back?
4) is there a high-temp paint solution that would avoid the discoloration?
5) if I decide to powdercoat, is it likely I will be able to have them done in CW or does powdercoating limit color choice?

TIA for your help guys. I will post pics later today or tomorrow.

 

I dont have a solution to your problem but I do have a set of CW rims that are slightly discolored.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by walker111 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont have a solution to your problem but I do have a set of CW rims that are slightly discolored.</TD></TR></TABLE>

glad to know i'm not alone in this.

 

Did you go out to Wendover IVR event?

I took my R out there and didn't notice any discoloration, except from the brake dust.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you go out to Wendover IVR event?

I took my R out there and didn't notice any discoloration, except from the brake dust.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes, that's where i was racing this weekend.

i think maybe my wheels discolored because the importer I bought them from rattle canned some fresh CW paint to cover up scuffs and imperfections on top of the factory CW paint. that's my theory for now.

i'm hoping if I have them blasted and re-painted, that my friend who is doing the paint work can find some type of super high-temp, heat resistant CW paint for them.

 

CW ITR/CTR wheels discolors like that normally, atleast I think so. My last set of CTR rims were more yellowish towards the middle when I got them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YumVTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i think maybe my wheels discolored because the importer I bought them from rattle canned some fresh CW paint to cover up scuffs and imperfections on top of the factory CW paint. that's my theory for now.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been tracking the car for 6 years. My CW's have chips, but they aren't discolored. You may be on to something if your's were hand painted/sprayed.

Hawk HP+ shouldn't be a big deal on wheels. Now Hawk Blues on the other hand WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY once they have cooled off -especially if they've gotten wet.

See Gransport pad review

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BudMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now Hawk Blues on the other hand WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY once they have cooled off -especially if they've gotten wet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, Hawk Blues ruined my MF-10's

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DC4KiD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">CW ITR/CTR wheels discolors like that normally, atleast I think so. My last set of CTR rims were more yellowish towards the middle when I got them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine discolored a bit, but it was easily taken care of with a claybar, or eve njust your typical cleaner wax.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BudMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now Hawk Blues on the other hand WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY once they have cooled off -especially if they've gotten wet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Heh.. I found that out the hard way. Hawk Blues destroyed one set of my CW wheels, and also my Kosei K1's (now rattle canned black).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BudMan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I've been tracking the car for 6 years. My CW's have chips, but they aren't discolored. You may be on to something if your's were hand painted/sprayed.

Hawk HP+ shouldn't be a big deal on wheels. Now Hawk Blues on the other hand WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY once they have cooled off -especially if they've gotten wet.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, my HP+ brake dust came off easy last night with a pressure wash at the quarter carwash. here is a pic of what my left front wheel looks like now that I cleaned the dust off:



Someone was saying something about claybaring wheels? is that to get off stuck on brake dust, or will that actually remove the yellow discoloring that is now there from heat?

 

Mine arent that bad.

 

I think a light buffing compound or paint scrub will get rid of that yellowing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mugen Mike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think a light buffing compound or paint scrub will get rid of that yellowing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i've used Mother's Chrome polish to clear up headlights, and take out cone marks from paint. do you think that would work here?

 

Yup - anything with a light abrasive will work. I'd recommend waxing the wheels afterwards.

 

so here's what i'm wondering...

1) has this happened to other owners of CW wheels that have tracked them?
2) is it possible to clean it up or will I be forced to re-paint or powder coat?
3) is it recommended to blast and re-paint them if i will continue tracking them, or will I always have discoloration problems coming back?
4) is there a high-temp paint solution that would avoid the discoloration?
5) if I decide to powdercoat, is it likely I will be able to have them done in CW or does powdercoating limit color choice?

TIA for your help guys. I will post pics later today or tomorrow.[/QUOTE]


are you sure no brake fluid got on them?????

powdercoating doesnt limit your choice...jsut got my done ( see appr/cosmetic section ) and the gut had a few 6 page profolios that numerous of different colors the only problem is and the same is with paint sometimes is that the color on paper doesnt always looks like the finish product...sometimes