Ok so I have been researching for quite some time and have read that not all products are safe to polish the anodized lips.

How can I make the anodized lip a mirror finish besides chrome plating or refinishing? I've heard there isn't much you can do with anodized lips.

Can you powder coat over the anodized finish just like any other wheel?

Here are pictures of the lips



Here's how I'd like to powder coat them since I'm not feeling the teal

 

So you want the lip a different color or just the face and then the lip polished? If you take them to a place that can polish them it will be fine. The anodized stuff will just be polished off making it the bare aluminum which is easier to polish. You could then get that powder coated with a clear which would make maintenance very simple.

 

I eventually want the whole wheel including the lip to be powder coated like the bronze VSXXs above, however I was going to put them on in their current teal state if there was a cheaper alternative than having to pay to get the lips refinished with the anodized taken off.

If I were to powder coat these wheels would I have to strip the anodized coating before or can I just powder coat on top?

I've gotten quotes around my area from $100/wheel to just refinish the lips... That means I would be paying double to polish lips, and then powder coat...

So are anodized lips always just a little dull? I've noticed that among other wheels.

 

One guy in AZ had anodized lips polished and by polishing them it removed the anodize stuff. I think they would have to strip or otherwise remove the anodized part before powercoat but I am not 100% sure on that. Maybe post in the detailing section and ask what people use on anodized polished lips to clean it up.

 

Ah I see, thanks for the help, Manga_Spawn!

Gathering what I read I guess anodizing just protects from scratches? I don't see why anyone would want dull anodized lips...

A place I know quoted me $100/wheel to refinish the lips (I'm assuming stripping the anodized) and then around the same price for powder coating. Sheesh.

 

You just want to polish the lips? In the first two pictures, the lips are NOT anodized. Mask and polish away.


If you relieve the air out of the tires and pop the bead, you can take out the center section (good idea to put a few bolts back in), polish and reinstall the centers (torque wrench, cross pattern). To help keep the bare aluminum lips from corroding, I use www.rejex.com.

Anodizing it just controlled corrosion. When/if you powder coat, the shop will sand blast the wheel and it will remove the layer with the anodizing.

 

Hm that's odd. The seller told me that they lips are anodized lol...

Can I polish the lips without removing tire/face? I looked up videos and only saw them completely dissembling the wheel.

 

Yes, you CAN polish the lips without taking it apart, but you won't be able to really get up to the wheel face. I would have the tire removed and at least remove the center/wheel face and then polish. Install the center (CCW has videos) and put the tire back on. I even used some bolts to make sure the sealant wasn't stressed. Although... I had one of them leak and rebuilt them anyway.