Alloy DIY refurbing/painting

[JHewitt]

Hi guys, I am well up for refurbing my cheap set of alloy wheels, never done it before, so did a bit of research and found these 2 detailed guides which are the better ones I have seen. All the step by step guides seem to follow the same basic rules with minor personal changes, thought I would share them in case anyone else is thinkering about tinkering.
I will be getting the materials to do mine shortly.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=41033
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=36167

Cheers, Joe.

If anyone else has done this and has advice, please share.:D

[jmh]

I was just looking at refurbing alloys yesterday afternoon and it pops up here.

I have been given some alloys for my build, but they are pretty badly scuffed (but not dangerously), so it is going to take a lot of time with the sander and filler :(

But I reckon it will be worth it in the end.

The guides you have there are pretty good, I have not seen any better ones.

[JHewitt]

With the limited spare time I have it will probably take a long long time, but as you say the results will be worth it.
One of mine has a nasty cut in it, god knows how it happened, but I have some alloy filler to sort it out. I will put some pics up when I get going.

[JHewitt]

It certainly did take me a long time, but finally got round to refurbing my wheels, while at work (break times only)
Didn't really follow the guides though after the first wheel, as to finely sand as they discribe you would have to have popeye arms.
So took heavy handed approach and used a wire brush in the drill, then a small sander,used alloy filler where needed, primed 2 coats, painted 2 coats & finally laquered 2 coats, by the 3rd wheel had got it down to a fine art.
At least it will have shiny wheels when the time comes.
Doner to strip this weekend and then crack on with the chassis.

[Deanno]

In work as I am an engineer but i also have the role as the spray painter.
I have done hobles for people doing alloys and what i tend to do is shot blast them then etch primer and a 2-pac top coat either battleship grey or merc white (Thats all we have in 2-pac :rolleyes: ). most of them were alloys for my 205 rally car.

[aerosam]

Same here, I'm lucky enough to have access to several grit blasters and sandblasters and an industrial paint spray shop. My wheels got done very early on in the build.

[baz-r]

run them down to your local powder coaters and get them blasted and coated when thay do a batch in your colour
i have had bike wheels done in stove enamel for cheeper than the cost of the paint