16V wheels - can't afford refurb

The car's getting a respray and that will take all my money, which means it's rattle-can time for the wheels. I can always have them stripped and powder coated at a later date, when I'm rich (hah!).

Assuming I'd like to keep some semblance of their original look (while they have a few kerb scuffs there's nothing seriously wrong with them except that the original topcoat is peeling off) what are the options?

Plastikote?
Plastidip (not so sure)?
Normal scrub, sand, primer, paint?

Ta!

Leave as they are till you do have the money would be my advice and save the money for the future re-furb.

If it is purely cosmetic then clean with a scotchpad, mask and spray with appropriate silver paint. Doing anything else will take a lot of time and give little extra benefit.

I've done a few sets, let the air out of the tyres and then feed masking tape around the edges, cover the rest of the with newspaper. Then sand down and key using wet and dry, metal filler (if required), etch primer (light coat), aluminium silver spray paint and then a good lacquer (petrol proof) and a nice sunny day like today, job done.

Could you not get a deal with the body spray?

How much have you been quoted for the wheels doing? If they're not dented and it's only a rub and spray I've seen quotes as low as £25 + vat a wheel.

They're not bent or dented but they are kerbed. Round here it's forty-five quid a wheel minimum, but that's a chemical strip powder coat and lacquer.

Any offers on the paint code for the wheels? I'm sure we had one around here somewhere but I can't find it tonight!

These are cheap.

Bargain

How about a very cheap set of 15inch vis wheels. They need a refurb which you could do in your own time fit to your car when done and then sell yours to get your money back.

Have a look for general powder coating outfits, not the alloy refurb places. A place near me quoted 25 quid a wheel to powder. That and a rattle can top should see you have some very nice wheels.

Good call on that, Holt... Sheep, if I have any more wheels around the place I'll get lynched by the missus, and that could ruin the whole holiday!

I do have a set of 20vt wheel in rather better nick, but they've got winter tyres on, so I'd still need to mess around swapping tyres.

Put your 20vt on and take your wheels to these guys, they turn around in a couple of days and use the correct silver!

http://www.wheelrefurbishing.com/index.htm

The best service and quality wheel refurb I've ever had and C.A.S.H is your friend!

Sorry Neil, I'm going to take on the back of this. What's the best way of removing paint from the wheel at home? Nitromours seems the thing to use, but obviously there is a worry / unknown if this gets onto rubber.

MrC, they're still around two hundred quid with the VAT - though they are at least only five miles away. Holt, the prices on your link are for a special offer a year ago...




No worries, Alexis.

Perhaps a flame thrower?

Something like this?

It's the only way to be sure!

I used plastidip on my 20vt wheels. Just cleaned up with wet and dry and sprayed them, no masking needed as it just peels of the tyres afterwards and also no need to let the air out

I didn't realise you were Irish.

I'm liking that, Bennett - is that the gunmetal grey?

Thanks barnacle, no it's 4 coats of matt black and then 2 coats of silver metalizer.

Shame you so far away mate i would have sprayed
Them for you not a problem

Bennett what are they like close up? They look good it that pic!

This was just after I sprayed them, before peeling it off the tyres.

Let's have a whip round. I've got a fiver here for this fat slice of forum history (that's the car not Barnacle!)

How well has it worn through washing and general use? That looks brilliant!

Still looks the same when washed, only have to give it a quick blast with snow foam then jet wash.
That's even after a full winter without being washed for 4 months.

four months use

top job!

had been looking at plasti dip before but had no idea of longivity

Or you could Vinyl Wrap it for pennies !!!

I'd like to see a completed one close up - must be loads of joins !

Or plasti dip Without Removing the wheel

20 sheets here if you're in brum Neil

http://www.citypowdercoating.co.uk/

Aye, mentioned upthread.

I think I'll have to see how much the respray turns out to be.

One thing i would say is save up until you need new tires and get it done all together(new tires and refurbished alloys look great!). Often when a new tire is added you can get small nicks and scuffs on an alloy even when the technician is really careful. At least when they are all freshly refurbished if there is any problem adding the new tire its obvious.

If you have 4 nearly new tires ignore this advice.

I'd agree - unfortunately the point of the respray now is so that the car is at least minimally respectable when I go to Turin... be a shame if the wheels are as bad as they are now.

I fear it's the rattle-can...