DIY wheel refurb questions

Defcon5

Defcon5

Defcon5

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4 Sep 2005
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Whitwood, West Yorks
I have a spare set of BBS split rim alloys, I want to spray them white.

Do I have to strip them down to the bare metal first. or can they be just be sanded briefly then primed straight off?

Im going for a gloss white, using a halfords white primer as the base. As for the paint itself, will regular panel paint do? or does it need to be tougher paint on wheels? Same goes for the lacquer. Also is there any point in going for more expensive paints etc, Im happy enough using halfords own, but if another brand will give better results im all ears.

Thanks
 
best way it to get nitromors and strip them, or get them sand blasted.

if they are split rims you are also best to split the dish from the wheel for the best finish, but if you are doing this you need the right tools and to know the correct torque and way to tighten the bolts up again.

As for wheel paints, the actual paint isn't too big an issue, just make sure you have a few thick coats of lacquer on top to keep it protected
 
I would imagine with split rims you would want to actually dismantle them, and give the surfacea a good key before priming.

The existing surfaces provide some protection i would imagine. Perhaps worth leaving them on rather than stripping the surface totally? Certainly for a home job!
 
The tool it an 8mm multi-spline, which seems rather rare, unless in a kit of about 50.

Is a a good quality lacquer needed then? or will halfords own be fine? Also Is a 'gloss acrylic' different to lacquer?
 
Toker said:
but if you are doing this you need the right tools and to know the correct torque and way to tighten the bolts up again.
Click to expand...

How important is the torque setting? Will hand tight suffice? Or will it result in a fiery death?
 
Defcon5 said:
How important is the torque setting? Will hand tight suffice? Or will it result in a fiery death?
Click to expand...

Death of some kind is almost inevitable in this situation.

I would think the order you tighten them down plays more of a role than torque, is akin to not putting a wheel on the hub square.
 
Defcon5 said:
How important is the torque setting? Will hand tight suffice? Or will it result in a fiery death?
Click to expand...

Your best to seal the wheel back to the rim with something like vauxhall gasket cement, then locktite the bolts. You pick two opposite bolts and gently tighten them, then pick another two at 90 degrees to them and do the same. Then you catch up with all the others, remembering to always work from one side of the wheel to the other. At this point you are only nipping all the bolts hand tight. I'm not sure if wheels vary, but I know with a lot of BBS split rims the best practice after that is to go round with a torque wrench at 20NM then tighten them all at 30NM and they're done
 
I have the attachment for taking apart BBS alloys, my brother did it on his, and did them up breaker bar tight when he painted his!!

I think perhaps I should get them torqued correctly?!
 
So the safest option is not to split them and therfore not use any chemicals. Do I have to sand off all the existing paint/lacquer or just sand it a bit and then prime?
 
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