| Author | Message | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 1302 Registered: 5-2001 |
I just got this response from an email about my wheels: Tommy Cosgrove The torque specifications for the three-piece wheels you own are 12 ft. pounds. They should be torque to that level and at least two steps. After a tire has been mounted an inflated check them and then after 50 mi. check them. After that, check them at one year intervals. Make sure if you take the wheels apart that every piece is indexed so that you can reassemble it with all the pieces in the same place they were when you took them apart. There are not any gaskets where the rim meets the center. There are two O-rings that can be replaced if required. We can supply these for $6.00 per wheel or you can get O-rings material locally and make your own. DO NOT PLACE ANY SEALANT, OR GASKET MATERIAL ON THE SURFACE OF THE RIMS WHERE THEY MEET THE CENTER OR ANOTHER RIM. Those flat surfaces should be assembled dry and clean and the only sealing apparatus is the O-rings. I have attached a illustration which would show you which areas I'm talking about. We are now using clear GE silicon sealant (outdoor) in the groove created where the rims meet as a backup sealing system to the O-rings. You will see the location of this sealant on the attached illustration. You can try torquing the perimeter bolts on your wheels without taking them apart, Scotch brighting the area where the sealant is to be applied, cleaning it with denatured alcohol and applying the silicone. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please let me know. You can also give the office a call and talk to Alan. He can be reached at 800-621-8408 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Norris D. Boyd Motorsport Specialties, Inc. Importer and Distributor for Compomotive Wheels in the United States For mail use: mailto:[email protected] Our web site is at: http://www.usacomp.com/ | ||
| Matt Morgan (Kermit)
Junior Member Username: Kermit Post Number: 155 Registered: 8-2001 |
On the topic of powder coating, any filler must be able to withstand the heat of the powder being baked on. This temp normally runs around 450 degrees, so caution must be taken on filler material, as it will ruin the final outcome if it isn't up to the job. Whoever is doing the coating should be able to intellegently address the issue. If they don't seem to know, run! | ||
| P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member Username: Ferrari_fanatic Post Number: 596 Registered: 4-2003 |
Vince, I just had my 355 wheel redone at Rite Way in Walnut Creek, CA. Jose is the owner and he has been lacing spoke wheels for Jags for a long time. The original finsih was powder coated.He did not strip the wheel, just filled, sanded, color coated and cleared the wheel. Total cost: $75.00!! ( with a high speed wheel balance). | ||
| vince porto (Vince)
New member Username: Vince Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2002 |
Good ideas all... The low temp 'aluminum filler' idea sounds good - assuming the wheels are in fact, aluminum. I'll look into the "Tinners Fluid" idea. The Wheels America proposal sounds too good to be true. At 109$ a wheel, how can they possibly make any kind of profit? Glassurite paint materials alone would cost that much! Guess volume makes a difference? Also get the impression that each office is locally owned (franchise?). Wonder how their quality varies from store to store? Thanks to all for the input... Rgds, Vince | ||
| Matt Morgan (Kermit)
Junior Member Username: Kermit Post Number: 154 Registered: 8-2001 |
One thing I would point out on repairing them. The Ferrari Mag is often found to be exactly that,Real Magnesium! While almost identical in appearance to aluminum, it will not accept an aluminum filler metal in welding. My past experiences have shown that while it is possible to run a TIG pass on aluminum with Magnesium filler rod, and have it look great, reality is, they do NOT bond, and the slightest flexing will cause the weld to pop off! Test with "Tinners Fluid", found in hardware stores. Aluminum will have no reaction to it at all. Magnesium will react like it has had acid poured on it, bubbling, smokeing, etc., so a test should be in a small area! | ||
| TOM BUCKLEY (Tom_b)
Junior Member Username: Tom_b Post Number: 80 Registered: 6-2003 |
LOL.  Tom | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 331 Registered: 7-2003 |
"I think Ferrari used olive oil for primer." Yes, but it is extra virgin. Or was. At some time. Maybe not. Wheels America | ||
| TOM BUCKLEY (Tom_b)
Junior Member Username: Tom_b Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2003 |
Vince, I used Wheels America for all 4 wheels on my Mondial. They had some minor scuffs and peeling paint. I think Ferrari used olive oil for primer. They stripped, cleaned,repaired, primed,clearcoated, and painted the wheels for 125.00 each. I believe that's their price regardless of what needs to be done. The turnaround was 1 day and I think they even paid the return shipping. I can't find the receipt but they are easily located on the Web. Tom Oh yeah, the wheels look great ! | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1412 Registered: 1-2002 |
Wheels America can fix that for you, and they (usually) offer a 1 day turn around. | ||
| Verell Boaen (Verell)
Intermediate Member Username: Verell Post Number: 1131 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hmm, As long as it's AL and not Mn, there are the white metal 'aluminum welding' sticks that melt with a propane torch. Much lower temp than welding, and the bond is quite strong if done properly. Eastwood sells them along with a heat shielding putty you can use to form a mold to rough-shape the repair. Grind,file,sand, fill pores w/bondo & you've got a repair. I'd still ask an expert tho. | ||
| Verell Boaen (Verell)
Intermediate Member Username: Verell Post Number: 1130 Registered: 5-2001 |
Talk to a major wheel refinisher. Gotta be a common solution. My SWAG is either welding, or else something like JB Weld with high bond strength. BTW, please let us know as this is a very common problem. | ||
| vince porto (Vince)
New member Username: Vince Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2002 |
Have relatively minor damage to a '90 TR wheel. Before repainting, the damage needs to be filled in. Any suggestions for the filler? Perhaps: ...TIG ...Bondo ...Brazing ...Silver Solder Am most concerned about the re-mounting of new tires. The tire forces as the bead gets pushed over the rim may cause the filler (bondo) to fail. TIG has its own concerns with heat treat etc..... Any suggestions greatly appreciated. TIA, Vince  |