Refurbing alloys, any suggestions

[The German Flower Pot]

Just bought a set of 4 18" amg style alloys with 2 light kerbing marks and the laquer has started eeling on all of them with water getting underneath

they are the normal 5 wide spoke looking ones on most early 1990's amg's

they cost me very little so id like to get them sorted and put on the twin turbo

ive got a set of real 17" amg's on the e320 coupe and would like them redoing too

ive herd of place that lathe the edges but how about re-do the whole wheel

idealy id like them to come to me

 

[philharve]

Refurbishing alloys

Hi

The company that is most often mentioned is 'Pristine'.

http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/

My indie is not keen on wheel refurbishers because the reworked item is seldon as good as the original new item. However, Pristine has acquired a reputation for being about the best there is. Even Mercedes at one time (or still does) endorse their work.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[MIW615]

Just bought a set of 4 18" amg style alloys with 2 light kerbing marks and the laquer has started eeling on all of them with water getting underneath

they are the normal 5 wide spoke looking ones on most early 1990's amg's

they cost me very little so id like to get them sorted and put on the twin turbo

ive got a set of real 17" amg's on the e320 coupe and would like them redoing too

ive herd of place that lathe the edges but how about re-do the whole wheel

idealy id like them to come to me

I would be very wary of re-furbing - I had my alloys re-cut, laquered and painted by "a reputable company" they looked fantastic for six months then started to corrode again If I were you I would consider repainting in a bright silver / chrome effect paint

 

[television]

I would be very wary of re-furbing - I had my alloys re-cut, laquered and painted by "a reputable company" they looked fantastic for six months then started to corrode again If I were you I would consider repainting in a bright silver / chrome effect paint

I agree completely the new chrome paints are very good, and no after effects, I for one would never have the clear lacquer again

 

[Seeker_UK]

There's Lepsons too - they get good press.

http://www.lepsons.com/

 

[jibcl500]

German

Ive refurbished my alloys myself, diamond cuts rims look good but never last, the grooves cut into the alloy are too fine for the clear coat finish to settle into. As a result a stone chip can penetrate through and then they start to oxidise.

On mine I used wet and dry, start with a course grit to remove kerb damage and laquer, keep it even around the rim so you dont give the wheel that distorted effect. Then using finer grades of paper wotk the rim until its as smooth as you can get it then use rubbing compound and the shine with start to come through, if the surface looks likemit could do with some more work with paper then do it as it needs to be as smooth as possible. Then start working the alloy with autosol, the rim should start to look like a mirror at this point.

Then smoother the finish the better the result and the less effort will be required to keep them good, I spend about 15 mins per wheel a month getting them back into shape and in the winter I smooth some vaseline onto the alloy to stop salt.

Painting the inner part is easy too, its just down to the prep work, if you want to see mine than come over, im only in haddenham.

jib

 

[MIW615]

I agree completely the new chrome paints are very good, and no after effects, I for one would never have the clear lacquer again

Malcolm, as you know I'm at the crossroads whether to paint or replace, I've had a fair price £155.00 each) from MB on new replacement wheels, that are covered under warranty for two years.

If I were to take this route I would end up with a spare set which I could, aat my leisure have painted in the chrome effect paint. This would give me a perfect spare set as a back-up should the othr wheels start to corrode after the two year warranty period or I could sell them and re-coupe some of the outlay of purchasing the new ones - - what's your opinion on this?

 

[jibcl500]

The market place for MB or AMG wheels is slowing down, with the new range of AMG alloys now out and other brands of alloy wheel available people dont want the old style on thier cars.

Always good to have a spare set available. A friend of mine wouldnt let me refurb his CL500 18 inch alloys he thought it was more cost effective to buy a refurbed set instead, £800 later and 2 years on his wheels look terrible, mine still looking as good as the day they where done.

jib

 

[MIW615]

Always good to have a spare set available. A friend of mine wouldnt let me refurb his CL500 18 inch alloys he thought it was more cost effective to buy a refurbed set instead, £800 later and 2 years on his wheels look terrible, mine still looking as good as the day they where done.

jib

That's my point, if I can get a new set for around £600 - could this not be the best deal?

 

[jibcl500]

possibly but there are refurbished alloys out there that will start to look rough very quickly.
I looked at some Carlsson multipoke alloys for the SLK, they looked great but high maintenance so I will stick with 17 AMG's.
What style of wheel do you have?

jib

 

[MIW615]

possibly but there are refurbished alloys out there that will start to look rough very quickly.
I looked at some Carlsson multipoke alloys for the SLK, they looked great but high maintenance so I will stick with 17 AMG's.
What style of wheel do you have?

jib

My car is a 2002 W210 Avantgarde with the 17" x 7 1/2" diamond cut finish, offset is 35. The AMG wheels look good, but new are too expensive and I don't think the come with a 35 offset anyway

 

[jibcl500]

DO some research I think MB can take a +/- of 4 on the offset.

jib