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fezza575m · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: Refurbing wheels?

Hey

I went down the other day to sort out my wheels for my car...I got them second hand and had a bit of discolouration on the centre alloy piece and some damage to the chrome outer section

I spoke to my mate that does chroming and plating and he was saying to get the centre polished which was about $45 per rim......which is ok....But the problem is the outer section which is chrome and he said would cost $300 per rim as they would need to be all rechromed....now i only paid $800 total for the wheels so rechroming them is not a viable option.

From a distance they look ok...but there are small sections of surface rust from where they have been scraped

Any suggestion on how to go about this....while doing it on a budget to make them shine up nice??

Cheers,

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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Australia, eh?

Pro'lly cost you $600 to ship these beautiful 968 5 lug rims your way. And they are a lovely inexpensive $600 to begin with.

* cough * --plug-- * cough *

Certain chrome rims, or aged chrome usually wears down. There is little you can do to restore the shine without actual investing money into it.
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Classic British Sports Car Restoration v6 + v8 Engine Conversion Swaps

Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

fezza575m · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

The last thing i need is another set of wheels.....though i am sure they are very very nice..

Someone suggested touching them up with chrome spray paint....does this sound like a good idea?
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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

I dunno, I'd probably initially cut them by hand with simichrome or wenol and see what happens. If that doesn't create the results you want, work up in power tools and aggressiveness of your abrasive. You might not get them back to original but you could probably get close if you take your time and use the right compounds and tools. Patience is the watchword.

fezza575m · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

thanks

Will have to try the metal polish.........what about small amounts of surface rust from small gutter scraps...just sand and polish??
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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

kcbill · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 6

Has anyone done business with "Wheels America"? They were recommended in a recent "Classic Motorsports" magazine article.
They quoted me $135.00 per wheel to refinish my phonedial wheels.

http://www.fixrim.com/

Thanks,

Bill

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

This is what I use on chrome or polished metal surfaces. Works great for rims as well as my polished stainless exhaust (click image to go to the website)

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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

fezza575m · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

That site isnt working for me

Is it the original magic wadding polish?

If so i will see if i can get some in AUS
thanks!
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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Sorry, don't know why you can't follow the link...but yes, it is a wadding type polish product called "NevrDull". http://www.nevrdull.com
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

fezza575m · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

cheers,

will have to some soon....i just read a review and it sounds like pretty good stuff

Evilbay here i come!
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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

fezza575m · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

Going to get some Autosol and give that a go

See how that goes..if it doesnt give the right result i will try nevrdull (cant currently find it in aus

)
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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

fezza575m · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:

Autosol works a treat

for chrome parts whats the best applicater to use that wont scratch the chrome but will remove the small amounts of surface rust??

A cloth works but is very slow

thanks

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Red 1977 Porsche 924 CGT...THE MORPH IS COMPLETE

TOM087 · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Hobart, Australia

on a related note, is it better to glass blast the alloy 8-spoke wheels? I'm refurbing the one's on my Martini, but i'm worried about the pitting that sandblasting can cause.
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1977 Martini Rossi