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Author Topic: wheel refurb options  (Read 1750 times)

Offline matsu

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wheel refurb options
« on: May 24, 2011, 02:48:56 pm »
i have managed to secure some new wheels but they need some repair and refurb.
what are the options for say some merc wheels that need repair and refurb?

obviously diamond cut so if i want a diamond cut finish but dont want threat of the dreaded whiteworm to return
what else is there?
/powder coat...can i get high glossy finish with this?

the polished finish looks amazing-is it just raw metal and then lots of wax to protect?
is there a "chrome polished look from a powdercoat?..... what is the upkeep/longevity to these?

is there a proper thread to all these options please?

sorry lot of newbie crappy questions there
matsu

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Offline adamf

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2011, 11:13:12 pm »
I believe when they are diamond cutted, they are laquered to seal the bare alloy..

A powdercoating is a process of applying paint so it can be glossy... And to stop the corrosion to polished alloys...regulary maintain them.. there is also a liquid chroming process you can do to wheels...don't know the one and outs...my mate has one and wasn't too clear on the process. Think its expensive though..

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...its not gospel..  :happy2:
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Offline matsu

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2011, 03:10:40 pm »
thanks buddy
i got a ton of research to do yet it seems.
matsu
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Offline Richn83

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2011, 04:16:13 pm »
Hey matsu, not 100% sure on the finish the merc wheels have but the monza's would have old coating and lacquer removed taken to bare metal, then any repair or filling done, then powder coated in monza case the whole wheel is coated in anthracite or gloss black, then they diamond cut the face back to reveal the metal, they then apply a layer of lacquer over the whole wheel to protect it.

The issue with diamond cut faces is that the lacquer has difficulty bonding to the metal face as it isnt rough enough so small chips or curbing cause the lacquer to peel away fromt he face.  Once water gets in contact with the metal face which is an aluminium blend it oxidises (rusts) which with aluminium leaves a white compound behind (aluminium oxide) as with all oxides the inclusion of oxygen and reforming of the metal structure causes the volume of the wheel to expand, this expansion further removes the lacquer and allows the water air to spread slowly eating its way across the wheel.

If you simply powdercoat a wheel you negatively charge the metal object and fire charged particles of the powder coating material at the object once attached they are heated to metal the powder coat and then baked till hard, rather than painting this provides a solid layer or coat over the whole of the item (even inside and round the back of spokes, this material is inert and provides a hard protective barrier between the metal wheel and the elements, a layer of lacquer will also be applied to this coating to give a lustre.

So if you want a well protected wheel that isn't susceptible to corrosion you should really powdercoat the whole face and you can get finishes that mimic metal and have a high lustre (chrome or smoked chrome finishes) they wont be a bling as the diamond cut look hence VW and Mercedes keep on providing diamond cut wheels but they should be more robust in the UK environment.

For examples of chrome powder coat RR got his monza II's in a colour called smoked chrome and route a thread on it the dreaded whiteworm, also most of the powder coaters have example pictures  :happy2:
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Offline matsu

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2011, 04:21:38 pm »
mate
thats really helpful.
i have alphards.......at last and i want them to look as oem as poss and i,m only gonna use them summer wheels and for "best" lol.
but i want them to  is not be easy to keep looking great and i am concerned diamond cut is not gonna fill that criteria!
ive seen chrome liquid polished but i have been told its quite a bit more expensive than the 300 ive been quoted to get them looking factory finish plus!!
but really, big fanx for the help
matsu
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Offline the bruce

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2011, 05:36:46 pm »
Cheapest option to refurbish diamond cut wheels:

polish them by your own  :wink:
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Offline Greeners

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2011, 05:38:41 pm »
You have a pm dude!  :happy2:

Sorry only just seen this thread!
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Offline SRC

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2011, 06:16:55 pm »
I haven't got the dreaded white worm (yet), but I inherited a few parking dings.  OK, I added one of my own, too!

But I'm saving the pennies for smoked chrome powdercoating, after viewing this link:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19933.0.html

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Offline matsu

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2011, 06:58:32 pm »
thanks mrG :drinking:

and everyone else who chipped in on the thread!
think ill go diamond cut-see if they do the spesch acrylic laquer(mr G) and just wax them to the endeth..... and if i get agg,see what my options are!!
both wheels and car are "keeepers" so got loadsa time yet to play!
thank you again
matsu
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keep on doing what ya doing you,ll keep on getting what ya getting.

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Offline scooba

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Re: wheel refurb options
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2011, 08:47:43 pm »
My Diamond cut 18" AMG Merc wheels were fooked in less than a yr , Diamond cut wheels are very very fragile sligtest chip scrap spells the end  and they need re doing .I have since had my Merc wheels painted silver but now thinking off going a dark anthracite and having them re cut
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