Age: 57 Zodiac: Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 2934 Location: Willenhall ... West Midlands
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 18:27 Post subject: Low Budget Wheel Refurb.. Before & After Pics
Hi Guys,
As you know i recently got myself some alloys and tyres off the bay, not my choice in alloys but the tyres were right and £300 for a set of 5 i couldnt go wrong, I just sold my others for £220 including the spare so these now owe me £80.
Anyway in my eyes the alloys were tatty so looked at getting them refurbed/ polished, it costs a fortune so i decided to have a go at DIY.
I started with the spare today mainly because it was in the worst condition and if i made a mess it would be hidden anyway under the wheel cover.
Here is the alloy as i took it off the Paj, notice very corroded around the studs and a lot of water marks under the laquer.
Ok my biggest problem being new to this was how am i gonna get a good job done with all those rivets still in place and without a mini polishing kit, so i investigated further and found out that these rims are not split at all, the rivets are just a cosmetic thing, so realising this i did try to get them out, and there was no way they were coming out without being damaged so out they came with a center punch, this gave me the access that i needed to clean these properley.
Now the rivets are removed ive got all the access i need so time for the laquer to be removed, i picked up some spray on paint remover on sale locally, very accurate and simple to use but took precautions as not to get it where it was not wanted ie on my tyres etc, got the laquer off with first application and done it in 20 mins no problems, washed the alloys off had a cuppa and dried with a hair dryer
Ok all dried off and laquer removed i could clearly see some in depth water marks pitting in places, out came a couple of sheets of wet and dry 1200 and rubbed these down untill gone, then finally went over the whole wheel the same, getting ready for polishing.
Now came the part i had been waiting for, polishing, Autosol/Solvol has always done me proud and thats all i had so its that or nothing at the minute, 40 minutes polishing by hand no power tools and this is the result i got, i now love these alloys, this is the worst one. I am currently looking at replacement rivets but as i see it they are currently alot easier to maintain and will stay this way untill im happy with the polished result.
Tomorrow sees a new mini drill arriving and this will be used on these rims big style.
Total cost so far £15.79 and apart from some more wet and dry thats as far as cost is gonna go
Age: 58 Zodiac: Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6217 Location: Barnsley south yorkshire
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 18:47 Post subject:
super job mate
gaz have you thought about stainless or chrome nuts and bolts instaed of the screws hex heads would look good too in chrome now you have even more shiny to polish
Age: 57 Zodiac: Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 2934 Location: Willenhall ... West Midlands
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 19:05 Post subject:
I would be happy with Hex bolts in chrome, but i tried a Coach bolt in today and if it was chrome would look fantastic, plus would make polishing and maintainence alot easier, let alone individual, but it has crossed my mind about the weight, is it going to affect the running of the wheel, 35 nuts and bolts is a fair bit of weight at 70mph
I would be happy with Hex bolts in chrome, but i tried a Coach bolt in today and if it was chrome would look fantastic, plus would make polishing and maintainence alot easier, let alone individual, but it has crossed my mind about the weight, is it going to affect the running of the wheel, 35 nuts and bolts is a fair bit of weight at 70mph
I think they look better without, Gaz... and, as you've found, much easier to clean and polish! 8)
Age: 57 Zodiac: Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 2934 Location: Willenhall ... West Midlands
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 19:46 Post subject: Re: wheels
stevo36 wrote:
so are they just polished gaz not re laquered ?
No mate, not going for lacquer, prefer the keep them polished look, and just after that a bit of wax to keep the *beep* out, I keep on top of it so should be easier to be honest
Age: 66 Zodiac: Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 15561 Location: Wolstanton Newcastle Under Lyme Staffs a little sleepy Hamlet full of drunks and OLD PEOPLE!
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 23:00 Post subject:
Now I know what you want 'em for ....Just got to yer post
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