DIY Wheel Refurb.
 

Since we've lost Rich and Scotts write ups I thought I'd add my attempt! Plan is to refurbish Ginola's old wrx wheels for fitting to the Forester.

Before shot
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0003.jpg
Wheel on the Right is a finished version.
The kit
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0009.jpg
Plus assorted Wet and Dry Sand Paper, Clean cloths, Sanding Block, Filler (Chemical Metal) and normal sand paper.
Stage 1
I used a sanding block and P80 paper to smooth off the majority of the damage, there was some corrosion around the centre cap and some kerb damage.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0004.jpg
Stage 2
Not all the damage could be smoothed out so I gave the deeper marks a good key with the P80.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0005.jpg
Then smoothed over some filler making sure to leave it slightly proud of the surface.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0006.jpg
This was then sanded back with P400 Wet & Dry (used wet) on a sanding block
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0007.jpg
Stage 3
The wheel was then keyed using the coarsest of the Scotchpads I had and some areas worked over with P400 Wet & Dry. The wheel was then washed and dried.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0008.jpg
Stage 4
The wheel was given a final clean with surface cleaner and a clean cloth before 2 coats of Acid Etch primer was applied.
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0010.jpg http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMAG0011.jpg
Stage 5
Wheel will be rubbed back with P400 and then P1000 Wet & Dry (used wet) before spraying with Primer
Stage 6
Rub back again with P1000 then spray with colour coat (U-POL steel Wheels)
Stage 7
Laquer

Nice one nick:asskiss:

looking forward to seeing how these turn out ;)

Nice job nick , I think the wheels look sooo crisp in the acid etch primer.

Shame you never had the tyres on though to do the little playing card trick.


Looking forward to seeing them on the car!

What's the "playing card trick" ?

Im looking ar doing my wheels and could do with all the help I can get

Basically take your wheel off and place playing cards down the side of the rim where it meets your tyre and make sure you overlap the cards. Go all the way around and make a complete wall so that when you spray no paint goes on the tyre wall.
I have a pic on my laptop, ill try and post it up later when I get home.

any luck with those photos yet?

Have a butchers at silver surfers profile hes got some on there pukka job too!

Using the playing card trick for quick masking up and removal.
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SANY0015.jpg
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SANY0016.jpg
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SANY0018.jpg

If your going to spray your wheels yourself remember to do the backs FIRST as the overspray will come though onto the front. do the front last and you'll get a better finish.

Thankyou..... Im definitely going to try that when I come to do mine :doubleup:

It's defo a good trick. I've sprayed many wheels over the years and masking was always a hassle.
You end up not fully covering/painting the rim edge where it meets the tyre.
This method ensures you get the very best coverage without having to remove the tyre.
It's also quick to move the mask over to they next wheel and crack on.......