PC-85-928S

what is the best way to paint and restore manhole cover wheels to a factory look?

stripping?
chemical or media blast?

fixing imperfections or curb rash

prime?

paint or powder coat?

clear?

paint or powder coat the center caps?



paint code for the factory silver?

James Bailey

They were never painted by the factory...but were anodized similar to a "plating" process. They can be stripped, polished, and re-anodized but only the dull silver color.

wpgshark

Aluminum can be anodized to almost any color. As the anodizing is actually a change in material composition short of machining, it is very difficult to remove in a manner that would give a consistent enough manner to get a good quality second anodizing job.

I see no problem with painting, many aluminum wheels are painted.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with mine. I believe a D90 hides in every manhole. If I get them machined then refinishing will be necessary.

I'm certainly going to subscribe to see what comes up.

Good luck.

Lance

Rob Edwards

Al Reed Polishing here in Anaheim, CA can refinish anodized wheels to like-new. My Clubsports have been anodized three times- once at the factory, once when I bought them in 2006, and once when a detailer used alkaline wheel cleaner on them. They're probably incrementally lighter than when new, but they still look new.

Dave928S

^^ That's the experience I've had too. Correct preparation and they come up like new.

James Bailey

Yes if you take out the thin webbing between the spokes the S wheels look exactly like club sport...the forged uber wheels. D90s are cast wheels and were painted because cast wheels do not polish anodize out as nicely as the forged wheels. Most cast wheels are simply painted.

Mark R.

I believe you mean Club Sport...

Edit: Oops, I see Jim beat me to it...

wpgshark

I stand corrected, Club sport.

Mark R.

But your original point is still a good one.
It would be really cool to machine Flats into Club Sports.
There's been lots of past discussion, and a few have tried it.
But apparently it's just not an easy task to accomplish...

Chalkboss

Rob, what was the turnaround time? I want to get my Club Sports redone soon. Might go see my brother in El Segundo and drop them off.

jpitman2

The factory never painted the wheels? Check out the white 83 on P110 of the Brian Long book, in the factory yard. Brian agrees that its probably my car, DS840812, as everything visible matches. Nothing on the invoice about wheels except anti-theft nuts. The wheels were in poor condition when I got it, so I picked up a spare set and had them cleaned and repainted, look like new - painting is probably easier than anodizing.

jp 83 Euro S AT 56k

Rob Edwards

Truthfully I don't recall- 2-3 weeks, perhaps? All depends on how busy Al's polishing guys are- I would give him or Diane a call and see what their current lead time is.

Dave928S

Here's a pic of a flat forged wheel, after etching to remove the anodising. You can clearly see the webs you could machine out, without losing strength, to convert them to club sport appearance. There would be a lot of setting up to repetition machine the webs out, which would be necessary to get accuracy of position and repeatable shape.

James Bailey

O K normally Porsche never painted the S wheels but most anything was possible $$$$$ even slope nose headlights , reshaped rear wheel arches , leather covered switches , and yes painting the wheels is easier to do, can have gloss , or any color you wish. It however is NOT going to look right Not that it matters if YOU like it.
Dave thanks for the wheel photo which make it very clear where the Club Sport wheel is hiding !

kmascotto

I made the mistake of using this wheel cleaner on my club sport rims...it it destroyed the finish.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...06fkEgYyK4b.97