Refurbing alloys

[hastingsmum]

So I'm almost finished refurbing my "new" 17" black alloys to replace the 15" Multipla ones I have on, and they are already looking awesome (not 100% perfect but not that far off considering its my first time and all)

But is there a matt finish lacquer out there I can use? I don't want them too shiny, really liked the powder coated finish they came to me in.

 

[portland_bill]

Hadn't thought of such a thing, but did a quick search on Halfords and found this.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ngId=-1&productId=939563&catalogId=10151#tab1

I suppose any good car accessory shop should have something similar.

 

[hastingsmum]

Hadn't thought of such a thing, but did a quick search on Halfords and found this.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...ngId=-1&productId=939563&catalogId=10151#tab1

I suppose any good car accessory shop should have something similar.

Excellent! Thanks! Coz it needs laquer doesn't it...? I will reserve some and pick p tomorrow, hopefully I can have my new wheels on soon

 

[Punto Sutty]

If your spraying with a gun I'd try any decent local body shops. You will get a top grade of clear coat then

 

[hastingsmum]

If your spraying with a gun I'd try any decent local body shops. You will get a top grade of clear coat then

Not using a gun, but got really into doing this now so maybe next time...?

 

[Punto Sutty]

Not using a gun, but got really into doing this now so maybe next time...?

Hopefully won't be a next time! Any chance of some photos? Need any advice feel free to ask me I refurb plenty of alloys

 

[hastingsmum]

Hopefully won't be a next time! Any chance of some photos? Need any advice feel free to ask me I refurb plenty of alloys

When I'm done with these I'm planning on refurbing the original Multipla alloys I've got on atm, but they are really curbed and will be harder. Will take some before pics when I start them...

Thanks! I followed a very good how to on the MGRover forum, but will absolutely ask your advise if I get stuck. Actually, how fine would you go sandpaper wise? 600 enough? Or would you go finer?

 

[Punto Sutty]

When I'm done with these I'm planning on refurbing the original Multipla alloys I've got on atm, but they are really curbed and will be harder. Will take some before pics when I start them...

Thanks! I followed a very good how to on the MGRover forum, but will absolutely ask your advise if I get stuck. Actually, how fine would you go sandpaper wise? 600 enough? Or would you go finer?

With wheels I usually start with either 80s or 180s depending on how bad damage is and finish the repairs with 240s. That goes for filled repairs and sanded repairs. Then for the rest of the wheel use a red scotch. Coat all of wheel with either 1k primer or wet on wet. If used 1k flat with either 500s or 800s if needed. Then base straight over and lacquer if you can get the bead broken in the tyres before starting as it makes the whole job a lot easier!

 

[hastingsmum]

With wheels I usually start with either 80s or 180s depending on how bad damage is and finish the repairs with 240s. That goes for filled repairs and sanded repairs. Then for the rest of the wheel use a red scotch. Coat all of wheel with either 1k primer or wet on wet. If used 1k flat with either 500s or 800s if needed. Then base straight over and lacquer if you can get the bead broken in the tyres before starting as it makes the whole job a lot easier!

Thank you! Almost look forward to starting the silver ones now... whatever colour I decide to make them in the end

 

[Punto Sutty]

Thank you! Almost look forward to starting the silver ones now... whatever colour I decide to make them in the end

No problem! One last thing, if you going silver always finish in a finer grade as silver base shows every production mark where as black hides lots!

 

[hastingsmum]

No problem! One last thing, if you going silver always finish in a finer grade as silver base shows every production mark where as black hides lots!

:chin: so maybe they will be black... lol

 

[hastingsmum]

With wheels I usually start with either 80s or 180s depending on how bad damage is and finish the repairs with 240s. That goes for filled repairs and sanded repairs. Then for the rest of the wheel use a red scotch. Coat all of wheel with either 1k primer or wet on wet. If used 1k flat with either 500s or 800s if needed. Then base straight over and lacquer if you can get the bead broken in the tyres before starting as it makes the whole job a lot easier!

One more question please if you don't mind.... I was hoping to try and refurb the alloys I have on there now without taking the tyres off. The damage on them is not as bad as on the black ones I've just done, as they had chewed up edges and my old ones doesn't.

I'm sure you will advise getting the tyres off but it can be done effectively with them still on right?

 

[portland_bill]

You can carefully mask the tyres, but of course there may be a edge to the lacquer then. If careful, can be masked by holding a piece of cardboard around the edge as you go.

Better would be to deflate the tyres and try to insert the masking between the tyre and wheel. If the tyre bead releases from the wheel, you'll need high pressure to reseat, at the garage, but at least with two sets you've got the transport.

 

[hastingsmum]

You can carefully mask the tyres, but of course there may be a edge to the lacquer then. If careful, can be masked by holding a piece of cardboard around the edge as you go.

Better would be to deflate the tyres and try to insert the masking between the tyre and wheel. If the tyre bead releases from the wheel, you'll need high pressure to reseat, at the garage, but at least with two sets you've got the transport.

Excellent thanks! So I'll see how they look when I get them off the car before I decide which way to go about this, but first I have to actually buy those new tyres to fit on my "new" wheels and then I'll have two sets :slayer:

I mean I might even take the tyres off and, when finished, buy some winter tyres to put on instead, the opportunities seems endless, lol

 

[Punto Sutty]

One more question please if you don't mind.... I was hoping to try and refurb the alloys I have on there now without taking the tyres off. The damage on them is not as bad as on the black ones I've just done, as they had chewed up edges and my old ones doesn't.

I'm sure you will advise getting the tyres off but it can be done effectively with them still on right?

The only real problem I can see by not breaking the tyres bead is not being able to scotch right to the rims edge. The last thing you want is peeling lacquer on the edges. Best thing I can suggest is finding a thin but stiff strip of wood and forcing a scotch right in to the gap between tyre and rim. If I was you phone local mechanics and ask how much they charge to break the beads on tyres, it will be cheap and chances are a decent garage will charge nothing. You can refit the bead yourself by leaving the screw in bit out of the valve and over inflating the tyre. You will hear a bang once it's back in. Then let the air back out of tyre, screw back in the valve and inflate as normal

 

[Punto Sutty]

Excellent thanks! So I'll see how they look when I get them off the car before I decide which way to go about this, but first I have to actually buy those new tyres to fit on my "new" wheels and then I'll have two sets :slayer:

I mean I might even take the tyres off and, when finished, buy some winter tyres to put on instead, the opportunities seems endless, lol

If you want new tyres have them put on the alloys before refurbing. Just ask them to leave the bead on the new tyres broken! You can refit the bead yourself. Never have tyres put on after a wheel refurb, every time I've done it they have marked the wheel with the tyre machine!

 

[hastingsmum]

If you want new tyres have them put on the alloys before refurbing. Just ask them to leave the bead on the new tyres broken! You can refit the bead yourself. Never have tyres put on after a wheel refurb, every time I've done it they have marked the wheel with the tyre machine!

No, this does worry me I must admit.... Someone suggested putting masking tape on before they go on the tyre machine... ?

 

[Punto Sutty]

You could but it just seems a waste of time and materials. Have it done before the refurb and there's no chance of damage to your new wheel. Any damage that does occur can be fixed during the main repair.

 

[hastingsmum]

You could but it just seems a waste of time and materials. Have it done before the refurb and there's no chance of damage to your new wheel. Any damage that does occur can be fixed during the main repair.

Too late for the ones I've done :bang: but will absolutely do that with the next set....

 

[Punto Sutty]

Good, hope I've helped! If you need any advice on any aspect of body repair just ask!