Wheel refurb - DIY stylee - How too?

[e30_Turbo]

Wheel refurb - DIY stylee

My rims need attention, just the lip really, the fronts are 7.5 x 16 and the rears 9 x 16 so there's quite a lip on the rear.

The laquer on two have started to come off, mostly due to being left on a car outside, up against and fence for over a year.

I've used compressed air to remove most of the flaky laquer and wondered what my next step would be.

I've no issue trying a few methods on the fubar'd wheels before doing the ok ones after.

Also the lips of the wheels are rough, is there a method to smoothing them? maybe a file followed by some wet & dry?

I'm thinking I may leave them on and jack up the rear, stick in in 2nd and be very careful, anyone tried that?

Thanks guys, Fozz.

[d6dph]

Andy Everett refurbed a set of BBS wheels on his 5 series in that manner, I'll see if I can dig out the thread.

Also another person who has had good results when polishing wheels is Oakey.

[e30_Turbo]

Andy Everett refurbed a set of BBS wheels on his 5 series in that manner, I'll see if I can dig out the thread.

Also another person who has had good results when polishing wheels is Oakey.

I'm up for just a tidy really but if it ends up a polishing exercise then so be it!

The centres are ok, just the lips that need the work and I'm sure all 4 will need doing so they match.

I'll try get some pics too......unless I have some already...hmmm....

[e30_Turbo]

[Speedtouch]

Just did the lips on my 15" BBS, using paintstripper to remove the bulk of the paint & primer (BBS primer is tough stuff!), followed up by wire wool, sandpaper, a screwdriver to do the niggly bits around the valve, and Solvol Autosol on a scouring pad. They've come up quite nicely, though it's an arduous job.

[oakey]

Use paintstripper to remove the lacquer. Nitromours for e.g.

Polishing those rims will be a right mission!! Buy a black and decker mouse with a polishing kit. Cheap and work just fine. But before you even bother using the polishing kit you need a dead smooth finish with 800/1000 grit wet and dry.

The key with polishing metal that is very rough is to gradually go up in stages of "grit". I would start with something not too rough, say 500 then move to 800, then to 1000 then 1200 the 1500 then 2000 grit. And with each stage you need to TOTALLY remove ALL the previous scratches from the previous paper. (if that makes sense ) Make sure to inspect the metal under different light and at different angles to make sure you are removing all the scratchmarks left from each grade of paper.
Sorry I have described the above so poorly, but I hope its helpful

[oakey]

I have just read your post again and its only the edge of the rim that is rough. Should read more carefully next time

As the rims are already polished and lacquered(I guess)?, just use nitromours to remove the lacquer (separate the rim if they are split rims?). Use The highest grade wet and dry on them you can find 2000+ and them give em a good rub with some metal polish. For the outer edge just use some rough sandpaper to get rid of the kurbage then use the method in my previous post. I wouldnt bother getting them too good though as they'll only get scratched again.

[e30_Turbo]

Cheers guys, I'll get the stripper ( lol ) and the sandpaper on Sat, see how it goes.

Can't be any worse than they are now.

Do you finish it with a laquer? or just keep up the cleaning?

Thanks, Fozz.

[Chase007]

Some really good advice here lads

[d6dph]

I'm not a fan of lacquering polished parts Mark, All well and good when the lacquer is new but if it gets chipped it allows water in and will corrode the rim further.

Get a couple of coats of wax on them and regularly clean with a mild soap solution.

[e30_Turbo]

Will do! Stripper, sand paper and wax to get then.

My need for the stickers date has been moved back too week after now, unforseen events yet again!

I'm gonna try get a few of us to meet up at BB one evening to get it done with a few other e30's, you up for that Dave?

Thanks, Fozz.

[d6dph]

What's that for mate, You have lost me?

[e30_Turbo]

What's that for mate, You have lost me?

Did Ant ask you for some stickers for my car?

I have a date with a glossy soon, was supposed to be yesterday but some technical issues postponed it.

It's going to be next week or week after, just wanted to let you know I had rebooked it and I have some more time.

Tex me on 07736 489877 if you wanna chat more, my internet at home is still two weeks away.

Thanks, Fozz.

[shedrool83]

I used oakey's method on the lips and it worked a treat.
Cheers Oakey good info.


Before




After

[feens]

Could this be done on Diamond cut Rims???the laquor is starting to peel on mt Toplines and coroding the wheels underneath