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 Recondition alloy wheels (currently 472 views) |
| Crazyed |
| Posted on: Friday, August 21st, 2015, 10:05:51am |
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How to refurbish alloy wheels
This by no means is the correct method I am just an ammature and this worked for me.
You will need approx 3 hours per alloy (so a full weekend)
1) The tools you will need for the job.
As a minimum you wheel need
>Heaps and heaps of time and patients
>a spirit wipe
>finishing pads/scotch rite/sand paper
>masking tape
>etch primer
>primer (high build)
>your chosen colour
>lacquer
Extras that can help the job
>alloy wheel cleaner (best for the job is cheap distilled vinegar 40p in Asda)
>scrubbing brush to get in the gaps
>micro fibre cloths
>tack rags
>hot air gun
2) first jack up your car remove your (manky looking old) wheel (make sure you use a axel stand when leaving the car for long periods)
3) Now to the hard task clean the alloy!
I tried many many different products and nothing really takes away that the best one is hard work and elbow grease (sorry) alloy wheel cleaners are ok but expensive . Amazingly the best product is distilled vinegar.
4) once the alloy is clean you will want to sand or flat the paintwork.
This is a vital stage as good preparation makes the end result a whole lot better.
I used a soft brash wire brush when cleaning the gunk off my alloy which helped remove a lot of the heavy corrosion so I can use a soft sanding pad to flat off the rest of the paintwork.
At this stage you can also use a more abrasive sand paper to remove harsh scuff and marks on the alloy but make sure you feather it out buy keep steeping down in gradient in your sand paper until all the scratches are lost.
5)next stage you will want to give it all a quick wipe down and brush off so you can mask up the tyre and make sure you remember to mask the valve!
Again take your time smaller pieces of tape but lots of them ensures you get a good cover around the edge of the wheel! I used 2inch tape all round and that worked fine.
6) this is the vital cleaning stage. Take a lot of time and use Pleanty of cleaner and cloths to make your wheel is spotless and decreased. It also your last change to check over your work before you put paint on it so if you've missed a bit or it needs more work this is your chance to resurrect the problem .
I used white spirit as its all I had. Panel wipe would have been better really!
7) finally all that hard work you now get to apply paint!
Starting with your etch primer. Iv been told all you really need is a light dusting of the etch primer. I got excited and gave it a good old layer.
My tip is find a starting point, I used a wheel weight as my starting point.
8 ) once the etch has dried then apply your primer.
My tip is avoid a colour that is the same as your etch and the main colour you intend to spray as its then hard to see wear you have put the paint on.
9) once your primer has dried you will want to lightly sand it down so the main colour has something to stick to.
And if like me you use a high build primer you can use it to hide some or many of the light imperfections in your alloy!
10) once sanded again wipe down, degrease and tack rag your wheel and surrounding area ready to apply your main colour.
11) apply your main colour I chose a dark silver and two coats was ample to cover the area I wanted. I then waited for it to not fully dry and applied my lacquer and I did two three coats of that!
12) I left that to fully set and then applied my fancy rim tape!
Job done!
Some more tips!.....
You don't have to do both sides of the wheel I only did as I want them fully reconditioned
I spent around £75 on paints etc but I did pay top price at Halfords you could probably get it much cheaper if you shop around!
Finally I would like to apologise for my grammar and spelling......I payed no attention at school I was dreaming of my fast car I didn't own!....but now I have it.
Feel free to come in and edit it for me thanks Ed
Any more questions please ask me. |
Last modified Friday, August 21st, 2015, 10:09:24am by Crazyed |
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| Kaappi |
| Posted on: Monday, August 24th, 2015, 8:34:46pm |
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As i do this kinda thing for work too.... gave me really bad chills to see you did not remove the weights from the rim
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Reply: 1 - 7 |
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| Crazyed |
| Posted on: Thursday, August 27th, 2015, 9:51:11pm |
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Well i don't have a wheel balancing tool at home in my shed 
Working on a budget also!
And the top part of my write up clearly states I am no professional.
But as you are in had a few people ask me about this and thank me for taking the time to write it up!
If you can pick fault and make this a better thread many people would appreciate it. |
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Reply: 2 - 7 |
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| Pepito |
| Posted on: Tuesday, November 10th, 2015, 4:31:30pm |
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Big Member
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Posts Per Day: 0.11 |
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My wheels seriously need doing so will be doing this soon. How many cans of each did you use to do all 4 wheels?
Thanks |
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Reply: 3 - 7 |
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| MaxK11C |
| Posted on: Tuesday, November 10th, 2015, 9:44:01pm |
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| Looks amazing! Don't have the patience for this haha |
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Reply: 4 - 7 |
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| Crazyed |
| Posted on: Tuesday, November 17th, 2015, 10:57:55pm |
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Sorry Pepito. I used roughly two cans of primer and paint.
And one can of laquer..
Depending on if you go for a quick look and do the outside I'd suggest one can of each will do.
Or if you are going for a full refurb then two cans of all.
As I stated you'll need buckets of enthusiasm and heals of time.
Looks amazing when they are done!
Good luck |
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Reply: 5 - 7 |
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| lord |
| Posted on: Wednesday, January 6th, 2016, 8:40:28pm |
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Great idea but
I had some alloys I had shot blasted and powder coated for 80
Actually a decent job at city powder coaters Birmingham. Picked em up a few days letter. Much better service now too.
Lord |
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Reply: 6 - 7 |
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| Crazyed |
| Posted on: Friday, January 15th, 2016, 8:01:35am |
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Yes powder coating is fantastic I agree.
.... But for me .
I didn't have time to remove all the wheels and tyres and weights.
Because the car was getting used.
Cheapest down my end was £30 a wheel also.
But if you can if deffo powder coat them. |
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Reply: 7 - 7 |
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Cappuccino Owners Club › FAQ › How to... › Recondition alloy wheels (Moderators: )
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