SLK230 - Wheel opinions wanted please

[davidb2005]

...because I guess there isn't a 'correct' answer.

I have bought a X reg that has Lucida wheels which are part painted and part polished metal. They also have a lot of corrosion and an amount of kerb damage.

A well know refurb co. near MK has been honest enough to say that if I were to go for 'as orig' then the problem would reappear after a couple of years. What do you think I should do: -
- Orig. and be careful.
- Just get them painted (I keep reading about chrome paint)
- Buy a new set (in which case I would go for adharaz - I want std Merc and they seem the most popular).

 

[television]

For me I would go for the chrome paint that is used now on 95% on new cars, it will last

Welcome to the forum

 

[davidb2005]

SLK wheels

Malcolm
Thanks for responding. Your name appears quite a lot and so I dare say you know your Merc's.

I have noticed that you are one of those that rate this chrome paint BUT what are you suggesting? That I get my current wheels refurbished and ask for that paint or that I buy new Merc wheels and thus I would get this finish!

Thanks again
David

 

[television]

I had Pristine do my 129 wheels and they said that they would only guarantee the polish clear coated part for 3 months. Though the car never went out in the rain, after a few weeks little blisters appeared under the polished parts.

If you look at the newish cars in MB showrooms the chrome paint seems to be the best alternative, its bright and will keep their looks.

Most diamond cut rims can only be refinished once, as the metal becomes too thin

 

[davidb2005]

SLK230K wheels help

Malcolm
Okay but what are you saying? (In your opion) That I should get my wheels painted with chrome paint OR that I should but new Merc wheels that will be chrome painted (because they are new ones).
Thanks again for your time
David

 

[television]

I would get them done in chrome paint, why not wander around you local MB showroom, take a look at wheels similar to your, then you can decide

 

[antijam]

I have just fitted a set of 16" Lucida wheels to my SLK. These have had the outer rim and face stripped and polished but not lacquered, leaving the scallops and inner rim in original paint.

The polished face will be high maintenance but at least as soon as I spot corrosion I can easily address it. I've found that the raw aluminium surface polished with 'Autosol' and sealed with either Turtle wax Extreme Nano-Tech Wax for Wheels (relatively cheap) or Autoglym High Definition Wax (very expensive) will withstand the elements for some considerable time.

The wheels I removed from the car were 'fake split-rim' with the body and spokes of the wheel painted and the outer rim diamond turned and lacquered.

The lacquered rim resisted corrosion for about three months after which discolouration spread in isolated patches as the lacquer was 'punctured' by normal road debris. Short of stripping the rim and repolishing there was no way to restore the appearance.
I'm about to have these wheels refurbished along the lines that Television suggests; that is the body and spokes powder coated and the rim wet painted with a 'chrome' finish. the whole wheel is then clear lacquered. I am hoping that this finish will be durable and low maintenance. We'll see!

The 'original' finish you refer to on your wheels is I presume part painted, part polished with the polished surface lacquered? I would agree that refurbished to this condition is not going to be a durable finish. Assuming your wheels are easily restorable, the difference between having them refinished with 'chrome' paint or buying new factory replacements is largely a matter of cost, with the factory finish being possibly slightly more durable? A new wheel will cost you something around £170 and a good quality refurbish about £70. Obviously if you buy new you get the wheel pattern you prefer.

 

[davidb2005]

Alloy help

Thank you both.

Malcolm
Here I am sat in Ilfracombe. Popping to a dealer is an expedition for me!

Being so remote is a problem. Pristine insist on using 'agents'. They do exist here but none have any storage and so I would have to find somewhere I can store the car in the air, get somebody to remove the wheels and then get them to an agent. If it wasn't for this they would have had them months ago.

Realistically my options are to drive to MK or to buy new wheels. The difference in cost doesn't swing me one way or the other. I just want the nost durable wheels at the end of it.
David

 

[television]

There is a good firm in Bournemouth or Southampton that do them in the same day, and you just drive down, lay on the beach, then drive home