MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Cosmetic/Interior Modifications => Topic started by: vRS_Pagey on September 25, 2011, 09:38:28 am

Title: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 25, 2011, 09:38:28 am
I've been planning on getting my 18" Zeniths refurbished however after fitting a new set of wheels to the marauder, I have decided to have a go at the job myself.  Tbh 3 of the wheels weren't that bad, light kerbing and lacquer flaking, however 1 was quite badly damaged, not to be put off I attacked them with a random orbit sander, and a file!   :scared:
After cleaning them up with some household cleaners and a nasty concoction of chemicals from the garage, repairing the damage with body filler and sanding I was left with the following -

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0504-1.jpg&hash=e666d2b1235b80f4f289457bef3a69cca966de79)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0503.jpg&hash=ec1d739cbd23a5e47a90e9876eb449e26578e8fe)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0502.jpg&hash=c501e09787458b81b71c3dbfbd8f2a45c414c487)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0501.jpg&hash=98fcc3c92b162773e8ca381586f50b9b941e8396)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0500.jpg&hash=b6b3ee8df3c0fd3b085d809403eed40b7d753a1f)

Unfortunately 2 of the tyres have quite substantial rim guards so I will need to crack the bead to be able to paint them correctly, the other 2 aren't as bad, so I masked them up and gave them 2 coats of primer.  Once dry I gave them both a light rub down with 1200 grit wet and dry.  This left the following:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0569.jpg&hash=a87dd2cdc1e38c66b63661757d830867e8385a12)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0571.jpg&hash=9ee684bd0cb167cf075749b584eb40fc7d8d8b30)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0570.jpg&hash=0c0dcd8048c5bd9b209cbb39c3de8a7d5ea14bc9)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fpagey1255%2FvRS%2FIMAG0572.jpg&hash=8ef869b9ce3be4ac1632a132e1406adbc31ff4e4)

So far so good, now to decide on colour, OE silver or slightly darker?  I was going to go anthracite, but to go that dark I would need to refurb the entire wheel, not just the face.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: parks on September 25, 2011, 09:42:07 am
top effort, well worth a try for the saving!!

Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 25, 2011, 09:47:44 am
So far it has cost 10 quid, that's for a roll of 2" masking tape and a 500ml tin of grey primer which I got from Partco as the nozzle gives a far superior spray pattern than Halfrauds carp!  I will probably need a 2 second tin to complete the job and to prime the GTi side skirts I am getting for swmbo's Golf GT.  I will get the paint mixed at a specialists and an aerosol filled, for this and a couple of cans of lacquer I would estimate a further £35-£40.  So total cost of refurb (not including my time) 50ish quid.  :happy2:
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: RSam84 on September 25, 2011, 01:36:31 pm
i did the same when i owned my Rs turbo, looks like your doing a really good job!
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: Weston on September 25, 2011, 03:11:48 pm
I'd be interested to see the final result. I was gonna get my winter wheels refurbed but can't justify it. This might be a good option  :grin:
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 25, 2011, 04:15:48 pm
I'd be interested to see the final result. I was gonna get my winter wheels refurbed but can't justify it. This might be a good option  :grin:

The irony is, I was going to practice on my 'expendable' winter alloys first, I must of had a moment of madness to attack the Zeniths..... :scared:
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 28, 2011, 05:20:28 pm
Small update, I have now cracked the beads on both offending tyres.  All 4 wheels are now fully repaired and primed.  On to the decision, as the wheels will be going back on the car as part of a 'return to standard' exercise when it comes to selling (long way off), I have decided against a full blown colour change to anthracite, but I would like to go slightly darker than the OE silver, can anyone give recommendations on suitable colours to try, preferably with a code to get the paint mixed?

Cheers, Lee.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: denis on September 28, 2011, 06:17:25 pm
just go into a paint/bodyshop suppliers and ask to look at the colour chips
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: Weston on September 28, 2011, 07:10:24 pm
How long has it taken to get to this stage?
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 29, 2011, 01:17:36 pm
How long has it taken to get to this stage?

Total 'my time' not including cracking the beads on 2 of the tyres, I would estimate........3-4 hours max.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: daboy3000 on September 30, 2011, 03:37:13 pm
What filler did you use and when using the sander what time of abrasive did you use?  I know nothing about orbital sanders but I'm going to attempt to do a two tone refurb on mine soon.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: denis on September 30, 2011, 03:51:25 pm
What filler did you use and when using the sander what time of abrasive did you use?  I know nothing about orbital sanders but I'm going to attempt to do a two tone refurb on mine soon.

on alloys its best to use a metal based filler, not normal body filler

on sander you want to use around 180-400 grit discs/pads, can be bought cheap from motor factors/bodyshop suppliers, or even screwfix
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: daboy3000 on September 30, 2011, 04:21:28 pm
Stupid question but is this normal sand paper or one for metal?
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: denis on September 30, 2011, 04:54:17 pm
most sand paper can be used on everything, but don't buy cheap crap because its useless
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 30, 2011, 05:15:53 pm
Tbh I just used normal body filler, but the amount required was minimal, I used 240 grit normal (wood) sand paper attached to my sander, some bits needed hand sanded, for this I used 150 grit, to flatten back the primer I used 1200 grit wet and dry and when I flatten the lacquer prior to polishing I will go with 2000 - 3000 grit wet and dry.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: daboy3000 on September 30, 2011, 05:28:55 pm
Cool, cheers.  Looking forward to seeing the results.

 :popcornsoda:
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: denis on September 30, 2011, 05:31:06 pm
to flatten back the primer I used 1200 grit wet and dry

best to keep between 800-1000 on primer, anything higher than cause problems with the paint adhering and can cause lifting/flaking in the future
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: vRS_Pagey on September 30, 2011, 08:13:34 pm
to flatten back the primer I used 1200 grit wet and dry

best to keep between 800-1000 on primer, anything higher than cause problems with the paint adhering and can cause lifting/flaking in the future

Why?  Does the 1200 make to smooth?
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurb'
Post by: denis on September 30, 2011, 10:50:35 pm
Why?  Does the 1200 make to smooth?

yes, can make it too smooth for the paint to adhere to