skifast4.2

My fat-5's are in need of refinishing (clearcoat delaminating and minor rash) and so far I've found the following options:

Dealer (sub-contract to their 'designated' shop): chemical dip to remove clearcoat, and refinish(~250 ea)

Local shop: shot-blast to remove clearcoat, refinish (~250 ea)

Wheels America option 1: refinish and polish entire wheel (including painted 'pockets' between the spokes). This would give almost a chromed look, but I'd need to either paint the center caps to match or find different ones (~150 ea)

Wheels America option 2: CNC wheel - would approximate original finish, (and center-cap & pocket color), but would leave subtle 'machined' look (i.e. rings from the cutting tool) and a duller finish (~150ea)

Every place I've talked to said they won't be able to match the original finish, something about the 'special' way Audi finishes these wheels.

I'm leaning towards the polished option and re-painting the centercaps to match, but I'm curious what other fat-5 owners have done.

4.2LV8AUDI

polish and refinish center caps

Press

where you located?

skifast4.2

Dremel & rubbing compound? Will that work on plastic?

skifast4.2

Chi-town area

Press

he's a great supporter of the chicago audi club....tell him i referred you and he'll take care of you. 630-428-0178

MP4.2+6.0

Unlike most every other small Audi center cap which are invariably plastic, these are a piece of polished metal that is stamped over a backer; even the tabs that hold it in the wheel are metal rather than plastic. The metal finish is covered by a thin clear plastic layer. That layer might delaminate, but all mine look good.

Thus, if yours are painted or plastic for some reason, someone already modded it or pulled the switcheroo on you.

skifast4.2

No switch, just poor assumption on my part. Mine are still pretty clean, will see how they match