Tremelune

I've just started refinishing a set of cookies I got off eBay. I took the clearcoat off with Aircraft Remover, but it's still got some issues. Oxidation? Pitting? I plan to use Mother's polish as a final touch, but how do I get these blemishes gone? I think I need something a bit meaner...

<img src="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/forum/rim1.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/forum/rim2.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/forum/rim3.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/forum/rim4.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/forum/rim5.jpg" alt=" - " />

User 462021

a lot of sanding followed by a lot of polishing

Tremelune

Straight sanding? Okay, I'll look around for grits. Maybe I'll snag some drill bits. I've never sanded anything in order to make it shiny, so any tips would be super.

zehnd

I'm interested in how these turn out, mine are in the exact same shape.

F18Rep in the "Aftermarket Phonedials" thread showed off some tool from Walmart that attaches to a drill that might work.

Keep us posted.

Tremelune

I checked out Pelican and my prob wasn't really addressed. I don't have a buffer, just a DeWalt drill...These aren't anodized, but I think these'll need some real scrubbing. What grit sandpapers should I be using? Wet? Is wet/dry sandpaper different stuff?

led

I think it's mostly the same only that when wet you keep the dust to a minimum. right?

stjobs

Get fine grit wet/dry sandpaper. With wet/dry sandpaper you can get it wet without the grit falling off. Water on the sandpaper cuts the abrasiveness somewhat.

stjobs

Lead Foot 944

That stuff on your wheels is the clear coat peeling off, first it turn's yellow then it dries up, crack's and peels. Usually caused by salt, road ****, Heat, etc,etc,etc. Your alluminum lip will also begin to deteriate. Because of no protection from the clear coat anymore.

Salt and alluminum do not mix!

This can be fixed, But what end result are you after? Just a polished lip, what about the rest of the rim?

Lead Foot 944

(84 944) Signed up as a Rennlist member Last Night, Pic's and story to follow A.S.A.P.

Tremelune

Right, so... 300 grit? I'm a sanding newbie... Should I start coarse and get progressively finer? I don't want to destroy anything, but I'd like it to do something.

eworkley

My suggestion would be to start with 600 wet and work up to 1000. You may want to try a fine 3m pad first.
Your drill does not have enough rpm for effective polishing. You can try a 4" buffing wheel and a "brown" compound stick.
Try a home depot or lowes for this stuff.
I've polished my fuchs but I have a 2500 rpm air tool.
The darker the compound stick the grittier it is usually.
Ed

86 930
86 951
87 944s

Randy_J

there is an excellent article on the Pelican boards on refinishing wheels at home. 1000 grit followed by finer up to 2000 grit and then polishing.
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/concours_corner/concours_corner-4.htm" target="_blank">Polishing Alloys - Fuchs rims</a>

Tremelune

Yeah...I think it's a bit light-handed for what these wheels have in store for me.

"Wheel’s that have some scratches (not gouges) in the aluminum are another matter. I would suggest you take these to a professional, but there is a way to do them yourself if you have a strong constitution."

I guess I'll see. I gotta find a place in MA that sells sandpaper that fine...and compounds/polishes and stuff.

Randy_J

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Tremelune:
<strong>Yeah...I think it's a bit light-handed for what these wheels have in store for me.

"Wheel’s that have some scratches (not gouges) in the aluminum are another matter. I would suggest you take these to a professional, but there is a way to do them yourself if you have a strong constitution."

I guess I'll see. I gotta find a place in MA that sells sandpaper that fine...and compounds/polishes and stuff.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">You'd be surprised what you can achieve with the right supplies. Try automotive paint suppliers for the sandpapers. I was able to buy 3M packs in 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 grit wet/dry. Worked perfectly.

Cheap to try out on your own, as you can still send them out for professional repolishing at $100 per wheel!

Autoenthusiast

I refinished a set of fuchs a while back and had the same issue...too much sanding to do. I ended up putting the car in the air and letting the car idle in 5th gear. Anyone else have a 150hp lathe?

Anyway... it's not the safest way to get things done but it sure is quick as long as you're just polishing the outside. I used rough (80 grit), smoother (120 or so) and then moved up to finer (500 grit) and then really fine (1500 grit) and they turned out great.

_edit_ here are some pics from that: <a href="http://www.letzte.com/images/944/2002may02-porsche_wheel_refinishinig/" target="_blank">http://www.letzte.com/images/944/2002may02-porsche_wheel_refinishinig/</a>

Good luck!

MM951

Wow! Damn crazy idea!