Tips for refurbing alloys?

[bimmaman]

Hey all...

I've been offered a set of 17" Alpina reps (not burger kings) for a very reasonable price (the only reason to buy Alpina reps )

Anyway, they are suffering from the usual kerb rash, and I was wondering what the best way to remove this is? I know there are a few people out there who have done their wheels, so got any tips??

I'm also thinking of spraying the centres black (so as to diguise the nastyness). What do I need to do prep-wise?

Does anyone have any pics of black e30's with black alpina reps? I'd quite like to see what they look like before I go through all that effort!

Cheers in advance!

[bimmaman]

Anyone?

[march109]

get your self a dremmel, and be prepared for some work.

[bmwsport]

Hey mate, the best way i found to refurb my old alpina reps was to polish the outer rim and paint the centre spokes after some prep. For the rim i used various grades of abrasive paper (course to finest) then polish up using various polishing mops and compounds. Generally you can get away with 120grit right upto 800grit for sanding and then use a medium and fine polishing mop to finish off. It does take alot of time but they will look alot better than just caking on paint. Mine were kerbed REALLY badly too so i had nothing to loose.

[fuzzy]

black spokes with polished rims are the future.i did mine using metal primer,3 coates of mettalic black and a couple of coates of laquer.nice finish and about £40 all in.

[bimmaman]

Fuzzy that looks sweet mate.

Are they BK's? The rim looks slightly different to the wheels I'm gettin...

So basically, I have to sand down the rim till it's smooth yeah? Is that not bad for the rim?

What about prepping the centres? I take it I'll be needing to rub down each spoke...

[Sanchez]

It will take as long as you need. The longer the better finish the more you'll be happy with the result. I would take your time and do one by one when sanding so you wont get bored and rush it.

Ive got mine to do, but there 14' BBS. Good job ive a spare set of alloys its gona take me all summer.

[tomtomiS]

as long as u sand the whole edge by the same amount you wont have problems with the wheels being out of balance. not stating the obvious, it wil be easier if you take the tyres off the rims.

[liam012]

can you use paint striper on them first to remove whatever layers are on there? or does the alloy react badly to it??

[fuzzy]

Fuzzy that looks sweet mate.

Are they BK's? The rim looks slightly different to the wheels I'm gettin...

So basically, I have to sand down the rim till it's smooth yeah? Is that not bad for the rim?

What about prepping the centres? I take it I'll be needing to rub down each spoke...

im not sure if mine are bk's or another rep?the rims best sanded flat with a block and isnt coated with laquer,its just bare alloy so you have to buff it up now and again.unfortunately each spoke does have to be sanded individually to prep and a light rub between coats.it takes a while but the effort put in is reflected in the quality of the finished product. fortunately i have 5 alloys so just did one at a time at my leasure but it took me about a day per wheel at the weekends.im very impressed with the finished article and it finishes the car off a treat

[fuzzy]

can you use paint striper on them first to remove whatever layers are on there? or does the alloy react badly to it??

i only used paint stripper(nitromors) on the rims and left the original powdercoating in the centres on and just filled any chips on the spokes before painting.

[Cyruz]

Or you can use the pikey method



Quick pressure wash and a rattle can of hammerite

[sonnyjh]

man them Alpinas are sweet, i was going to do this to mine, I remember westside doing this to his E36 Alpina 325...but he had diamond cut the surface!

Im digging the pikey effect too!!

[ric325i]

i have done 2 sets but the main thing to remember and you must remember it!

the paint on the wheels will be from a spray gun and a different type of paint to the paint in a spray can.
if you are planning to remove the original paint get it all off - dont just 'key' the surface as the new paint will just peel off in time.

hope this help people to get the best from there efforts


good luck all.