DIY wheel refurb/polishing progress thread

Toker

Toker

Toker

Soldato
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I'm in the process of polishing up a set of wheels, so thought I'd start a thread incase anyone had the same idea, but didn't know where to start.

This is the first time i've polished a full set, only previous experience is stripping and polishing the dishes on my old wheels, so I'm learning as I go :D I do have polishing experience from building custom Harleys and Choppers with my dad though, so not a total beginner.

So here we go, I acquired these wheels, which had been previously stripped of lacquer, hand polished then left unprotected to get eaten by the elements...

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So I popped out the centre cap, chopped out the valve then got to work. I'm not going for a perfect finish here, it's a half assed attempt as they are goin to be on a daily driver, so no need for mirror polished perfection like you'd want for show wheels.

First I'm doing the faces, once they are ready I will lap out the curbing and get the inserts polished up last (putting that off until last as it'll be a major pain).

I first wet sanded the faces with P400

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then P800

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then P1200

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then buffed with a closed stitch mop and heavy cut compound

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then buffed with a closed stitch mop and Menzerna 439T, then gave a quick going over with Meguiars NXT Metal Polysh, to get the residue from the buffing off

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and that's as far as i got for today, cutting stage over so tomorrow I'll get the finishing mops and polishes out, to get a gloss and mirror-ish finish on to it... :)
 
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OK so update...

Here they are after hitting the face with a G quality loose mop and Menzerna P126, then a WDR quality loose mop and Menzerna P175

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a little before and after of the faces

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and here they are after the inserts were sanded with P400/P800/P1200 then hit with a firm goblet mop and Menzerna 439T, then a soft goblet mop and Menzerna P175

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Learning curve number 1, do the inserts first as it's mega easy to slip with the goblet mops and ruin the finish on the face, so have to polish them again :mad:

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Looking good so far mate.

I went to view some today, a "mint" set of 5 for 350 quid, with tyres... of which none matched, most were on 2mm and all wheels were kerbed and a couple were corroding. So hard to find some which don't need work, wish I knew what I was doing and I'd get some cheap to refurb :(
 
Cheers!

Yea there seems to be periods where loads are for sale, then next thing there are none!

Keep your eyes on edition38 and wheel-whores, also a few sets been appearing on the bay recently
 
Wow, wish I had the skills or even the patience to do something like this. Once you've polished them are you going to be clear coating them? I suppose you will be but just thought I'd ask a stupid question :)
 
IAmATeaf said:
Wow, wish I had the skills or even the patience to do something like this. Once you've polished them are you going to be clear coating them? I suppose you will be but just thought I'd ask a stupid question :)
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Not a stupid question at all, I will in fact be leaving them bare metal with no clearcoat as clearcoating polished surfaces pretty much always leads to eventual milky or spidering lacquer, so after a year or so they'd most likely need done again. Leaving them bare metal means I can easily polish them up again as and when is needed, but I'll be protecting them using Belgom Alu followed by Poorboys Wheel Sealant. Keeping them bare means you have to keep on top of protecting them, but I'm a glutton for punishment :D
 
Yea they won't be to everyones taste, but hey same goes for white cars :D

the picture really doesn't do them justice there but I'm too lazy to get a decent one at the moment. They'll keep me happy for the summer, then I'll have another change :)
 
How much would an 'average' set of those wheels sell for without being chrome finished?

The only reason i ask is that i have 4 in my shed - sitting their doing nothing? I might put them on the bay!

Is it worth the effort cleaning them and then salling or just as they are. They are in good condition except for some kerbing marks...
 
Toker said:
Learning curve number 1, do the inserts first as it's mega easy to slip with the goblet mops and ruin the finish on the face, so have to polish them again :mad:
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I was scrolling down your pics thinking Why the **** hasn't he done the inserts first. :mad: + :p

Nice job though & well worth the effort. :cool:
 
Stormster said:
Very nice mate. Now when are you selling them to me? I still aint found any worth buying :)
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Cheers, won't be selling these until late autumn/early winter. Enjoying the bling for the summer, after putting all that work in to them :p

malc30 said:
I was scrolling down your pics thinking Why the **** hasn't he done the inserts first. :mad: + :p

Nice job though & well worth the effort. :cool:
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Tell me about it, I was less than impressed when that dawned on me - schoolboy error!
 
It's on uneven ground there so looks a bit odd, when it's sitting on flat I can barely get my fingers between the arch and tyre, front and back. Would ideally have it so there's no gap at all between arch and tyre, but unfortunately severe speed bumps in my work car park limit how slammed I can go :(
 
hotdog said:
How much would an 'average' set of those wheels sell for without being chrome finished?

The only reason i ask is that i have 4 in my shed - sitting their doing nothing? I might put them on the bay!

Is it worth the effort cleaning them and then salling or just as they are. They are in good condition except for some kerbing marks...
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email in my trust if you wanna talk about selling your wheels :)
 
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