I have a set of original rims for a '78 308 which are scratch and need to be re-coated/re-plated. How much does this cost and who does it? Scott
If you can't find a place local to you, we have a place here called "Wheel Fix-It" that did three of mine for $110 each. Great job. www.wheelfixit.com
Most better body shops can refinish wheels, just make sure they match the paint color properly, and NOT strip the finish (cost will run between $125 and $200 per wheel) Better to scuff it up and reshoot them, than strip. Some places seem to have a difficult time preparing the magnesium wheels properly, and the paint will later "alligator" or crack. Run a search and you will find some threads on this.
When I bought my 308, the wheels had been refinished by the PO....and three of the four have 'alligator'ed/wrinkled finish. Is this unique to Magnesium wheel refinishing? What went wrong?
Wheels America here in Houston will reshoot any wheel for $127 each with lifetime warranty on the finish...... I have not used them for Fcar wheels yet, but they were OK on the Turbo S Beetle 17".....curb rash .... The cracking is caused by not using a 'sealer' type primer.....check with a paint supplier or body shop. I am currently doing a set with the Griot's KIt which comes with zinc chromate primier, silver paint and clear coat. Ferrari wheels do not have clear coat OEM. Definately DO NOT go to bare metal as the factory sealers are there for a reason.....look in Vintage Section for my recent question to Napolis on his refinishing of his sets for the P4. He responded the "web" of the rim was resealed with a special (or normal??????) epoxy paint, but he didn't share the exact specification!!!! After 25 years the 'webs' of mine cleaned up really well and I left them alone. For practice I sprayed the backs after filling tire tool gouges using the Duplicolor Silver metallic paint and clear coat.... Wooooooweee! Too much metal flake!!!! I'll let you know how the Griot's silver looks when I'm through.....it's the same as BMW and Mercedes wheels, they say........
You'll have to sand at least deep enough to get that cracked respray off. Stop, once you hit the OEM silver and reseal using the zinc chromate.......you can see it on the back at the center cap on the OEM wheels, it's that funny green color, from the Old Days....... It's real fun, hand sanding these old Chromodoras!!!!! Takes me about 2 hours each......what the weekends are for!!!!!
... for threads on this subject started by me. I've posted several of them in conjunction with my recent identical wheel work which will be of interest to you. For one example (there are others), start with: http://www.ferrari101.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62908 Cheers - DM
