Help Please - Fuchs Wheels
09-25-2003, 02:05 PM
#1
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Help Please - Fuchs Wheels
Hi All
Picked up my first 911 today - a dream fulfilled!
I've just washed it and appear to have made the mistake of using a detergent to clean the wheels. I've used Autoglym Motorcycle Cleaner to clean the wheel centres and unfortunately the black centres of the Fuchs wheels have lost their shine. The finish is essentially matt now. Only did two wheels before I realised what was happening.
Normally the Motorcycle cleaner is absolutely fine - have not had a problem before. It's designed to be sprayed practically everywhere to remove grime.
Can anybody help me with what I should use to restore the glossy black finish on my Fuchs? Presume it's an anodised finish, but what to use? Don't want to coumpound the problem.
Many thanks.
Picked up my first 911 today - a dream fulfilled!
I've just washed it and appear to have made the mistake of using a detergent to clean the wheels. I've used Autoglym Motorcycle Cleaner to clean the wheel centres and unfortunately the black centres of the Fuchs wheels have lost their shine. The finish is essentially matt now. Only did two wheels before I realised what was happening.
Normally the Motorcycle cleaner is absolutely fine - have not had a problem before. It's designed to be sprayed practically everywhere to remove grime.
Can anybody help me with what I should use to restore the glossy black finish on my Fuchs? Presume it's an anodised finish, but what to use? Don't want to coumpound the problem.
Many thanks.
09-25-2003, 02:39 PM
#4
Race Car
The black part is painted. In a worst-case scenario, you can repaint the centers. I think Wurth Satin is the paint of choice, but I've never done it.
Vasoline helps, too.
Vasoline helps, too.
09-25-2003, 05:12 PM
#6
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When I first got my 911, the black parts of the Fuchs were a bit dull and oxidized. I used a light (clear coat safe) polishing compound and finished with a coat of Blitz carnuba wax, and it made the wheels look brand new.
It is much easier to do this if you take them off the car first, as it allows you to reach the crevices better. It also makes it easier to work the compound in a little bit and really get the oxidization off. It won't make them too shiny, just somewhere in between matte and low-gloss as they came from the factory.
Congratulations on the new Porsche!
-Sean
It is much easier to do this if you take them off the car first, as it allows you to reach the crevices better. It also makes it easier to work the compound in a little bit and really get the oxidization off. It won't make them too shiny, just somewhere in between matte and low-gloss as they came from the factory.
Congratulations on the new Porsche!
-Sean
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09-25-2003, 10:03 PM
#10
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It sounds like you just washed off the detailing job. Vasoline will bring back the shine. Vasoline is the prefered method to protecting the anodised finish. A lot of detailing places just spray that tire foam on the wheels to give it the shine. It works, but it's messy.
09-25-2003, 10:44 PM
#11
Geaux Tigers!
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Again, Vasaline is the way to go as described in my 951 manual with optional FUCHS. Apply a light coat to the rim (I let mine sit overnight) and buff out. The anodized surface is very durable but I'd be careful of some of the harsher polishes.
For another solution you can contact Al Reed and have them refinished, polished or part painted/polished. It's not that expensive and if you search the archives for his name you'll find plenty of reason for sending them to him.
For another solution you can contact Al Reed and have them refinished, polished or part painted/polished. It's not that expensive and if you search the archives for his name you'll find plenty of reason for sending them to him.
09-26-2003, 12:50 PM
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The black part, or the "petals" of the 78-89 Fuchs wheel is NOT anodized, it is black paint (the silver rim portion is just bare anodized metal). While Vaseline petroleum jelly is the recommended method of protection in the manual, it is very messy. After driving for a little while all sorts of road dust and dirt stick to the Vaseline, creating a real mess.
The preferred method among the detail/concours crowd is to just keep them waxed with a good carnuba wax, just as you would any other paint on the car. This should be more than enough protection, will keep the wheels looking like new, and will not create a huge mess!
-Sean
The preferred method among the detail/concours crowd is to just keep them waxed with a good carnuba wax, just as you would any other paint on the car. This should be more than enough protection, will keep the wheels looking like new, and will not create a huge mess!
-Sean