TexasRider

I have been thinking of re-painting or powder coating my brake calipers here sometime soon on my 1986 951. My brakes were all new about 1,500 miles ago but I did not do the caliper paint at that time.

If I do the calipers and have them all shining black, with the gleaming Porsche on them , then I might have to work on my original 27 year old Fuchs 16's that are on the car too. The black is there, but it is worn and to an extent the wheels dont really show that black too much now.

I have been thinking of just polishing the wheels and removing any of the original black on the inner spokes.

Or I could look at the option of having the wheel "restored" . My wheels are in very good condition, but the new caliper work could make them look a little tired. If they are retored back to original condition then of course the spokes and inner would be black again.

I know there are several guys or companies that do restore the Fuchs and specialize in this some too. But I dont know if they still around in business, or who the best is for this wheel work. Maybe you guys will throw in and comment on who, where, and what you prefer.

Have you had any wheels done lately and do you prefer the all polish look , or the original black inner and polish look.

Here is picture of my car last year in the Space City Show, and you can see that I have removed the rock guard tape film protectors and that you see a little of the black remaining on the wheels.

Thanks for your help and comments guys and good luck with all your projects.

TexasRider

Polished

TexasRider

And in Black

ernie9468

Ever thougth of going this way with them instead of polish/black polish. Color match to your car with polish lips.Lol what was good enough for your ancestors should also be good for you.

TexasRider

You always have good ideas Ernie ............ well mostly

Just yeaterday when I took the 951 out for a drive and over to Stephens he said the same thing.

But I prefer the classical look. And to me either is classic. The black is original , and the no black polsih is just as classic to me too. Now if I put a new set of the black lower rock chip guard back on, then the black might be the first option. But I am liking it without the guard.

And I did not like the red color wheels on my Z. So it is just me.

I DO NOT want the Chrome look on the 951 so much though. So maybe some polish, to make the wheel all one tone, but not over done.

I must take all the pics at the same angles LOL.

I have got to get some different color cars too !

TexasRider

NUTTIN ' from the collective board ??????????

Who did any of you use to do your wheel work?

esmith904

You'll find way more info on restoring Fuchs on a 911 board. Al Reed and Weidman's Wheels are popular for refinishing Fuchs. I personally like the RSR finish...but currently run stock black center wheels that are nice as well. Polished is too blingly for me.

TexasRider

Thanks esmith. I am starting to think the same on the looks. I did search and posted over in the 930 as they had a thread too. Weidmans, Reeds, and a place here in Houston that I am going to call. Surely us 951 guys do wheels too right? Or am I becoming a 911 guy and I dont know it yet ?

esmith904

Many more 911s were fitted with Fuchs from 1967-1989 than 951's as they were just an upgrade option for 1986 only for 951's. Just way more 911's rolling on Fuchs than 951s. Al Reed and Weidman are well known. Interested to hear what you find out about folks doing these in TX. I've got a set on my 911 needing refinishing also. Once you get bitten by the Porsche bug, you can't just have one...

rgs944

Fuchs are still my favorite Porsche rim. I think they look great either polished or black on that red car.

tkrtape12

I love the red and black..just classic...INMO...Great looking car...

dykaar

I got the optional fuchs when I bought the car new in 1986. Pix here at the glen.

Regards,

doug

86 951 (http://www.pcaucr.org/visuals/photos...egory&catid=61)
01 E320 (W210) 4matic Wagon (http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...body-do-2.html)
00 540i-6 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...hp?albumid=976)
94 855 turbo Wagon (sold in 09)
85 535i-5 (sold in 07)
76 300D (sold in 92)
83 944 (sold in 86)
I apparently only buy cars designated by numbers

Darwantae951

I'm partial to the black center with machined lip. My father has a set like that on his 84 911.

intrepidagent

Here's a post that I recently wrote on the 911 forum here:

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...el-finish.html

"The set I picked up (951 staggered 7 & 8 x 16") had some slight pitting and curb scratches that will have to be sanded out. I have access to a media blaster so I have (so far) done the following:

Stripped the black paint off the centers using Mar-Hyde Tal Strip, a paint stripper for metal automobile and aircraft applications. That took most of the paint off the centers after two applications. On one of the 7's I tried removing the anodizing with oven cleaner as the lye in the solution will weaken it. It took a few applications + scrubbing with a stiff plastic bristle brush to get most of it off. Royal PITA. So I media blasted the entire face of the wheel afterwards to remove the rest of it.

I don't want a polished lip on the wheels as the final result. I'm going to replicate the "dull" anodized finish on the lips combined with black centers. Have experimented with the "scotch brite" finish as described here on a thread on pelican:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...ed-pedals.html

It makes for a nice consistent matte finish on the lips without the added expense of re-anodizing. It also gives allows for easy touch up if you do get a scratch on the wheel lip.

Will try to take and post pics as time allows."

TexasRider

Thanks guys .

I am thinking I will just go with something like I have now. I will have the raised part of the Fuchs ploished, the dish of course polished, and have the recessed part of the wheel done in black satin-ish. That way there is some " brite " on the wheel, but at the same time it keeps dust etc where you dont see it in case it goes a few days without being wiped - its a 951 afterall right.

Now to look at those "How to Do Brake Calipers and Rotor Hats " threads.

Having a nice old-er Porsche is fun , but it is more fun when you arent working on it. Hmmmm, I wonder when that begins ?