Wheel refinishing.........questions..... | FerrariChat
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Wheel refinishing.........questions.....

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by ILuv4Res, Apr 24, 2006.

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  1. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,530
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    Fred
    #1 ILuv4Res, Apr 24, 2006
    Ok, so I posted a thread to try & decide the future color of my wheels...

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103112

    However, since I am only now learning about the refinishing process, I am curious if any of you have ever had a wheel (or wheels) refinished/straightened and, if so, what the results were.

    1) How was the quality of the refinish vs. factory?
    2) Did the finish ever peel, discolor or ???
    3) If curbrash was removed, could you tell?
    4) If the wheel was bent - straightened, did it ever bend back or warp? Or, any issues with it cracking, wheel stress, etc...???
    5) Any other info???

    I'm just trying to determine if the end result of wheel straightening/refinishing will be a wheel that is as good as a new one?

    Thanks!!
     
  2. stevegtsi

    stevegtsi Formula Junior

    Feb 21, 2004
    316
    #2 stevegtsi, Apr 24, 2006
    i did my 308 wheels myself. i machine and hand sanded them gently then used a buildable primer to hide the road rash, etc. i then used a light grey primer then some metallic silver paint from autozone, then some satin polyurethane. an f-chatter sent me some wheel decals and i sprayed them with lacquer after they were applied, which reacted with the polyurethane so you should experiment. the wheels are not perfect but are far better than when i started. i have been told that griot's garage has a wheel refinishing kit which is excellent. you could probably use that over the buildable primer but i would check with them. good luck, steve
     
  3. ria

    ria Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    732
    ohio
    Full Name:
    phill
    #3 ria, Apr 24, 2006
    i use the giot's refinishing kit for my wheels come out excellent.
     
  4. Doc

    Doc Formula Junior

    Sep 13, 2001
    886
    Latham, New York
    Full Name:
    Bill Van Dyne
    #4 Doc, Apr 24, 2006
    Ditto on the Griot's system--real good stuff.
     
  5. EC308

    EC308 Formula 3

    Aug 28, 2005
    1,146
    jenkintown, pa
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    ed
    #5 EC308, Apr 24, 2006
    There are plenty of people around who can restore a rim to concours appearence if you don't feel like doing it yourself. They will let you know if a rim is too far gone to properly repair. If you choose to do it yourself, just remember that patience is a requirement to get a truly good finish. Take your time with each step and the results will be great. Getting the rims professionally beadblasted will give a great starting point.
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    #6 BigTex, Apr 24, 2006
    Wheels Am erica can do a curb rash repair pretty well and only a picky guy like me would see the specks in the new paint...they have said...."no good" on one wheel I had twisted......oh, well..

    I have used Griot's.....pretty nice but surface prep is the key!
     
  7. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
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    Mike Charness
    #7 Mike C, Apr 24, 2006
    Do a search here... beadblasting true magnesium alloy wheels down to bare metal can cause more problems than it solves. It requires a different prep before repainting.
     
  8. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
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    Aug 8, 2002
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    Fred
    #8 ILuv4Res, Apr 24, 2006
    I wasn't thinking of refinishing them myself. Instead, I was going to have them done at a wheel shop that specializes in this. However, I was wondering how close to "as new" they can make them, both in appearance as well as structurally sound.
     
  9. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
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    Bill Tracy
    #9 BT, Apr 25, 2006
    Go to fixrim.com They have a location in Miami and have lots of before and after pictures. I am going to take all four of my 348 wheels there this summer during my renovation months. I think they charge $129 per wheel up to 17" wheels, and a little higher for larger wheels. They have a lifetime finish guarantee on their work.
    BT
     
  10. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
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    Mike Charness
    #10 Mike C, Apr 25, 2006

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