I really do not know. I suspect = repainting if you do not like the sand blast treatment. But if you re paint go with = "powder coating" It is a baked on process (about $100 or less.). Much more = durable and better looking and easier to clean.
 
Did you try sandpaper then that = wet sandpaper they use for finishing body work to get ready for paint? But = if yours are painted then sandpaper won't work will it. Mine are raw metal (see = photo on my web page.) I'm just scrubbing and using sandpaper on mine. I like the = old roughened look anyway.
 
William
Vanagon site http://mem= bers.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
Holistic Health Center site http://mem= bers.home.net/wholehealthfound/welcome.html
----- Original Message -----
From: Pablo E. Bonilla Fernández
To: developtrust
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2001 = 6:42 AM
Subject: RE: cleaned = headlights-- a HUGE difference

William,
 
thanks for the response. I believe the original VW alloys are = painted. Does this means that we have to repaint them after we sand blast them?
 
I also cleaned mine with a wheel cleaner, but there are still some black = spots I can't take out.
 
Thanks again.
-----Original Message-----
From: developtrust [mailto:developtrust@home.com]
Sent: Viernes, 23 de = Noviembre de 2001 08:45 a.m.
To: Pablo E. Bonilla = Fernández
Subject: Re: cleaned headlights-- a HUGE difference

I just bought a wheel cleaner = from an auto parts store. I am told that the best way to clean alloy wheels = is to take the tires of and have them sand blasted (about $25.) But for me = I am not that fussy. Just the wheel cleaner a good brush = and elbow grease.
 
William
Vanagon site http://mem= bers.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
Holistic Health Center site http://mem= bers.home.net/wholehealthfound/welcome.html
----- Original Message ----- =
From: Pablo E. Bonilla Fernández
To: developtrust
Sent: Friday, November 23, = 2001 6:21 AM
Subject: RE: cleaned = headlights-- a HUGE difference

William,
 
I see in the log in your site that you cleaned your alloy = wheels recently. Can you tell me how you did that? I have tried to clean = mine but I think I need a special kind of cleaner because I am not still = happy with the results.
 
Thanks in advance.
-----Original Message-----
From: developtrust = [mailto:developtrust@HOME.COM]
Sent: Jueves, 22 de = Noviembre de 2001 11:27 p.m.
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: cleaned = headlights-- a HUGE difference

Tonight I took my first = ride at night after cleaning my headlights with my home made coat hanger = Q-tip to see the difference. The difference was HUGE.
 
I am sure the new = Sylvania 9004XV bulbs had a lot to do with it but the amount of light compared = to before was a quantum leap in visibility.
 
Looking at the lights at = night I could also see that my cleaning was not as thorough as I = thought-- but they were VERY clear and bright and clean looking where I did = clean successfully. I will have to get inside with a new home made = coat hanger wire Q-tip tomorrow and do a more thorough cleaning. I could see = a few still visible areas of film even though I was 95% effective with = my first cleaning. I might as well do it as long as the enthusiasm = is still with me.
 
I recommend everyone = clean the inside of your headlights. You will be glad you did. =
 
http://mem= bers.home.net/holisticdream/vanagon1989.htm
 
William