DIY WHEEL REFURBISHMENT

[Oldspanners]

Well, either my eyes are getting better or the wheels are getting worse as I use the six foot test after washing them to decide whether to attempt to do something about their appearance.
I'm currently looking at an E-tech Alloy Silver Wheel Refurbishment Repair Kit Wheel Spray Paint + Lacquer on ebay.
Has anyone one attempted this with any type of kit and with any success?
I'm loathe to spend a lot of time attempting this and end up a year later with the same appearance.
Any hints appreciated.

 

[daveenty]

Used something similar which was "Autotek alloy wheel paint", also available from your favourite auction site. I did two sets with this stuff, one complete job on a Subaru Outback, the other was a bit more "rough and ready" on an old Jeep Grand Cherokee.

It took an age, mainly with all the preparation which was needed, but I was quite pleased with the results. The Subaru was a full strip and clean before touching them, whilst I did the Jeep with the tyres still on though deflated.

Subaru: -



After: -



Jeep: -



After: -



I don't think I'd ever do another set myself as it's not particularly cost effective when you add up the time involved and the cost of materials, especially as I had to bead blast the Subaru ones first, though I did get a sense of satisfaction from doing them.

 

[A.J.]

Was the DIY refurbish durable though Dave. When I bought the current MB I asked the supplying dealer if they would refurbish the wheels which they agreed to do. When I collected the car they looked OK. However after a couple of months were back to where they were when I first viewed the car. Obviously painted rather that a proper re-furb. So it was powder coat time which they weren't agreeable to make a contribution to the cost

 

[Flyinspanner]

From this
To this, a lockdown tidyup

Sanded, etch prime, Lidl wheel silver, and U-pol lacquer. Pleasing, killed a couple of lockdown days ...... I even tidied up the callipers and drums.

 

[A.J.]

Looks a nice job you have done there

 

[JBell]

Well, either my eyes are getting better or the wheels are getting worse as I use the six foot test after washing them to decide whether to attempt to do something about their appearance.
I'm currently looking at an E-tech Alloy Silver Wheel Refurbishment Repair Kit Wheel Spray Paint + Lacquer on ebay.
Has anyone one attempted this with any type of kit and with any success?
I'm loathe to spend a lot of time attempting this and end up a year later with the same appearance.
Any hints appreciated.

Yes, I did a thread on it using the E-Tech stuff, really easy to do, all in the prep

 

[JBell]

Some pics

 

[daveenty]

Was the DIY refurbish durable though Dave. When I bought the current MB I asked the supplying dealer if they would refurbish the wheels which they agreed to do. When I collected the car they looked OK. However after a couple of months were back to where they were when I first viewed the car. Obviously painted rather that a proper re-furb. So it was powder coat time which they weren't agreeable to make a contribution to the cost

No idea unfortunately as I tend not to keep cars for too long. They were both gone a few weeks after I did their wheels.

 

[Oldspanners]

Used something similar which was "Autotek alloy wheel paint", also available from your favourite auction site. I did two sets with this stuff, one complete job on a Subaru Outback, the other was a bit more "rough and ready" on an old Jeep Grand Cherokee.

It took an age, mainly with all the preparation which was needed, but I was quite pleased with the results. The Subaru was a full strip and clean before touching them, whilst I did the Jeep with the tyres still on though deflated.

Subaru: -

View attachment 59529

After: -

View attachment 59530

Jeep: -

View attachment 59531

After: -

View attachment 59532

I don't think I'd ever do another set myself as it's not particularly cost effective when you add up the time involved and the cost of materials, especially as I had to bead blast the Subaru ones first, though I did get a sense of satisfaction from doing them.

Great job, I'd settle for a job as good as the Jeep wheels.
The colour match to the original looks good as well, I don't want something too much away from the body colour, too noticeable if you like.
How many aerosols did it take as the kit only comes with one can of paint and one can of lacquer and no etch primer?
Inspiring

 

[Oldspanners]

View attachment 59533 From this
To this, a lockdown tidyup

Sanded, etch prime, Lidl wheel silver, and U-pol lacquer. Pleasing, killed a couple of lockdown days ...... I even tidied up the callipers and drums.

That's the sort of result I'm after. Just noticed during a tidy up (search) in the shed I've a tin of Lidl wheel silver looks about right on your wheels. Was it enough for four wheels just painting the outside as with Lidl it may be a while before any more comes in again?
Feeling the itch to get painting now.

 

[Oldspanners]

Some pics

I was going to say looking at the original condition I wouldn't have touched them but the result is outstanding.
The kit I'm looking at only has one can each of paint and lacquer but no etch primer.
What did your kit come with and was that enough for four wheels as mine are in nowhere near as good condition as yours were and have a bit of "kerb rash"?

 

[Flyinspanner]

I used two cans of spray, to do both sides of wheels.

Ps a deck of old playing cards are ideal to tuck between tyre and rim to avoid overspray.

 

[JBell]

If I did it again I probably wouldn't use the lacquer.

They also do a great touch up kit so if you do mark one you can easily conceal it

 

[JBell]

I was going to say looking at the original condition I wouldn't have touched them but the result is outstanding.
The kit I'm looking at only has one can each of paint and lacquer but no etch primer.
What did your kit come with and was that enough for four wheels as mine are in nowhere near as good condition as yours were and have a bit of "kerb rash"?

You could see the paint was discoloured in places and marked so I decided to sort them and it was easy particularly in hot weather

I used a fine sand paper to smooth the damage down, the primer is essential IMO, it is a filler as well so will cover some of the marks if not too deep and it gives the paint something to adhere to.

I bought these:

2x

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-Filler-Primer-for-Alloy-Wheel-Refurbishment-400ml-can-Auto-Repairs/251865650424?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

2x

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-2-x-Motorsport-Black-Alloy-Wheel-Paint-and-1-x-Lacquer-Kit-Refurb-Alloy/271696155044?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Silver

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-2...415798?hash=item5d52b2eaf6:g:t6QAAOSwg3FUgNn0

Plenty to do 4 wheels, In the sun the paint was drying in 10 mins so about 6 thin layers worked well, the lacquer gets shinier the more you put on.

 

[Oldspanners]

You could see the paint was discoloured in places and marked so I decided to sort them and it was easy particularly in hot weather

I used a fine sand paper to smooth the damage down, the primer is essential IMO, it is a filler as well so will cover some of the marks if not too deep and it gives the paint something to adhere to.

I bought these:

2x

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-Filler-Primer-for-Alloy-Wheel-Refurbishment-400ml-can-Auto-Repairs/251865650424?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

2x

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-2-x-Motorsport-Black-Alloy-Wheel-Paint-and-1-x-Lacquer-Kit-Refurb-Alloy/271696155044?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Silver

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-Tech-2...415798?hash=item5d52b2eaf6:g:t6QAAOSwg3FUgNn0

Plenty to do 4 wheels, In the sun the paint was drying in 10 mins so about 6 thin layers worked well, the lacquer gets shinier the more you put on.

Thanks for that info I'll get on to ebay and give it a go.