The Racing Hart's are 18x7.5 et42. These are genuine Japanese Hart's that I bought in Japan and got shipped out here (not the cheap remakes). This particular C4 model isn't the one-piece cast but the much rarer multi-piece forged model (the outer rim section is forged). Actually surprisingly light considering they aren't really a tuner/racing rim! More photos...
Unfortunately, although they look great from a distance, up close there is some sort of corrosion/oxidisation on the lip/rim section of the wheel.
They are (I believe) anodized lips for protection and shine but although the wheels themselves are totally unmarked and have rarely, if ever, been used they have obviously been lying around for some time and some sort of oxidisating has occured to some of the anodized surfaces. Anyone seen anything like this before??
I had a go at lightly rubbing some of the corroded sections with fine steel wool + soap for lubrication, and then polishing it with Autosol Metal Polish and whilst this worked it left two types of (shiny) metal finishes visable - one being the anodizing, the other being raw aluminium...
Before-ish... (had a little go on the rim edge before this photo)
After...
Now I am considering rubbing back the lips (with 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 then 2000 grit wet & dry sandpaper) and polishing them up (then possibly wax them to seal??). Its a very common method in bringing alloy wheels back to life. Its a shame the anodizing has corroded a bit as I'm sure the wheels haven't ever been used (there are even still price tags on them!). Anyone have any other ideas???
Cheers,
*3o3
