mazdaverx7

my question pertains to the finish on the original black lug nuts that came on the cookie cutter wheels. when i bought my 84 944 two years ago all of the lug nuts were faded badly but appeared original. when i removed them i noticed some were corroding and they felt like they were made of magnesium, though i believe they are aluminum. i replaced them with a complete set that came with the car. the set was new and still in the wrapper. about a month after install the black finish faded from the new lug nuts. i'm not sure what brand they were or where they came from. my question is has anyone found a solution for repainting or powder coating the lug nuts so that they retain their original finish?

ernie9468

Once you paint or powder coat them unless your using a socket with rubber insert paint will eventually get chip. If cookies cutter or fuch are black centers why don't you simply polish them like I did on my ex 944.But it will be a question of taste.

Arominus

The originals are anodized so try hitting them with some brasso and see if they clean up.

Van

You may be able to find an aluminum anodizer in your area that can redo the finish. It's a chemical treatment - not unlike a plating process...

Generally black anodization is suseptable to UV fading.

Crimson Nape Racing

I use semi-gloss black from a rattle can and repaint as required (every 2-3 years, depending on how often they get taken off).

rgs944

The polished lugs do look very good. Better than I expected to look on a black base. If you do want black I would suggest painting with a high temp paint. Afterwards bake in the oven at 450F for about an hour and you will get a pretty durable finish. Nothing holds up to an impact socket but they willl stiil look good after first install. Just make sure to do it when your wife will not be home for at least the next 8 hours.

mazdaverx7

i do like the polished look, but i prefer the black on black for the cookie cutters. i picked up some high temp paint last night when i was at work. maybe i'll see if i can bake the lug nuts in the oven.. i dunno though, the oven was $3800 and is built into the island in the kitchen.. if i jack that oven up, not only will she be FURIOUS, but i will have to replace it.. once she's had a really nice oven she won't go back to a standard stove, lol. i don't blame her, once i bought a Porsche, i was done messing with Fords, lol.

the good thing is that i don't remove the wheels very often. to be honest i've only had the front wheels off three or four times since i've owned the car. when i got the car two years ago i replaced the front pads and rotors, repacked the front wheel bearings, cleaned the speedo cable, replaced the pad wear sensors, and lubed the sliding points on the front calipers. and i bled the system and re-bled it a few days later after i put some miles on it just to make sure i got all of the crud out. and i replaced the front struts late last summer. i've had the rear wheels off a few times. i did rear bearings, seals, rear shocks, pads, rotors, wear sensors, and caliper pins.

so to be honest they aren't on and off a lot. once per year for inspection and maintenance and maybe more if something fails or makes a weird noise, lol.

Van

Bake them in the toaster oven... much cheaper to replace!

mazdaverx7

hahahaha good call. i think i only paid about $40 for that sucker! and i can probably sneak it out to the garage, lol

rgs944

I have my eye out for an old oven that I can keep at the shop. Yes it does stink bad when doing indoors. Really a nice finish though for a home brew. I use high temp base and clear. My red calipers on the 928 that I did two years ago look like they were just painted yesterday.

ernie9468

If you do go with black paint I suggest you buy a (Lug Nuts Soft) socket,available from vertex at 25.00$.

mazdaverx7

^^that's a really good idea. i think if i don't buy one i'll be touching those suckers up every time i take them off.

ernie9468

Rigth best investment you'll make,I had one & love it.Foolish move I went & lend it to someone & lol they use an impact gun on it & ruin the plastic softener inside.For twenty nine years I never use an impact on my Porsche lug nuts I use this see pic & it work like a charm.