GT3 BBS Split Rim Refurb Options

[delays]

I have the wheels below fitted to my 986, I believe from the factory:

They've become awful scabby, with lacquer peeling off the polished rim and paint beginning to bubble on the painted centre. Therefore, I'm looking to get them refurbished.

Now, this seems to be a pain for a number of reasons - I've tried local refurbishers and the company that did my 944 wheels, and most companies won't touch them because: a) they're split rims, and b) the outer rim is polished, and the inner is painted, and they can't handle the polishing of the rim. Since I'm looking to get them back to as close to original as possible, this is a no-no for me.

Since I use the car daily, I'm against boxing up the wheels and sending them south to Lepson's or similar - I'd much prefer a local option.

Any advice folks?

 

[ALZ 1933]

Hi,

Where about in Scotland do you live? You say you've tried your local ones but that won't help people recommending other places.

I had my split rim wheels refurbished last year and like your own they had a polished rim, I chose to have my rims chrome powder coated as this is as good as maintenance free. If you get them polished you'll have to polish them on a daily basis to keep them looking good. You could get them laquered once polished however the slightest chip allows water to seep under the laquer and your looking at a full refurb again.

Oh I forgot to mention Five Powder Coating can provide a chrome look finish. I chose to split my own wheels and rebuild them once all the coatings were done. I believe they could do the full refurb for you.

 

[por911t]

Hi , 'Wheel Pro' in Glasgow have got the proper equipment to achieve the diamond cut finish on the rim edge . They refurbished the split rims on my wife's mini last month . They are in the estate behind the big wire horse sculpture on the M8 at Baillieston . Used them many times . Highly recommend them .

 

[John H]

Another vote for chrome effect powder coat. I have done a few sets of previously polished wheels with this, and the results have been very good, a lot more durable than re-polishing them.

Can recommend Fife Powder Coating in Glenrothes if you live anywhere on the east coast.

 

[ALZ 1933]

Here's a PIC I've found of my rims finished in chrome powder coat.

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[Neil A]

Another vote for Mikey at Fife Powdercoating

He has recently done 4 sets of wheels for me including my BBS LM's, split chrome powder lips and painted centers

 

[John H]

ORIGINAL: Neil A

Another vote for Mikey at Fife Powdercoating

He has recently done 4 sets of wheels for me including my BBS LM's, split chrome powder lips and painted centers

Nice job Mikey, those BBS wheels look fab

And of course, he did all my gold wheels too []

 

[delays]

To all of you - thanks for the responses.

I'll try both recommendations - I split my time between work in Glasgow and weekends through East, so I don't mind travelling a little to get a good, durable job done.

The chrome powder-coating appeals on a durability basis - the results look great.

 

[GazC2]

If your looking for someone in Glasgow Mike the Polisher knows his way round split rims


http://www.the-polisher.com/

 

[delays]

ORIGINAL: GazC2

If your looking for someone in Glasgow Mike the Polisher knows his way round split rims


http://www.the-polisher.com/

Thanks for this - I've fired him an email requesting more info, and will call the other recommendations when I get the chance this week.

 

[Mike58]

Just out of interest do you know if the split rim bolts are single use? If not do they have to be thread locked when refitting. I do remember that the torque figure for them was approx 22-24 lb/ft.
I had mine done ages ago and I'm not too precious about them as they are trackday only but the polished/ diamond cut rims a re a total pain so the chrome powder coat looks the way to go for low maintainence.
I have a contact at Powdertec in Glasgow under the Kingston bridge, pm me for a quote if you are going down the chrome finish option.
Mike

 

[John H]

http://fifepowdercoating.com/ should you wish to follow them up.

They also have the advantage of being sensibly priced, or at least they were when I last used them. Some of these wheel places are getting silly expensive.

 

[colin944]

ORIGINAL: ALZ 1933

Here's a PIC I've found of my rims finished in chrome powder coat.

[/URL][/IMG]

That's a nice looking 68 Alan. hope you'll bring it out over the summer.

 

[Neil A]

I previously had the above LM's done by Mike the polisher and the results were stunning with a true mirror finish on the lips, but I hated trying to keep on top of them. Each wheel would take half an hour to properly clean, now with the chrome powder coat they take minutes like any normal wheel.

 

[Neil A]

 

[ALZ 1933]

ORIGINAL: colin944

ORIGINAL: ALZ 1933

Here's a PIC I've found of my rims finished in chrome powder coat.

[/URL][/IMG]

That's a nice looking 68 Alan. hope you'll bring it out over the summer.

Thanks Colin. As ever there's a few little jobs I'd like to be getting on with, however I am look forward to getting along to as many events as possible.
P.S. I still have your ARBs as I never got round to fitting them to my 944, I'll give you a shout regarding what events I can make and I'll bring them along to give you them back.

 

[Mike58]

Interesting, the link to Mike the polisher shows in one of the sections in his website what is involved in taking apart and putting together a split rim, quite a lot of work by the looks of it.

 

[Dooser]

I have the same wheels for my 993 - I have just sent them to Chris at Exel wheels. His service includes courier pick up (Aberdeen) or if your further south they send a replacement set for your car whilst yours are away being refurbed. Worth a look on their web site.

I'll post some pics when they are returned next week.

 

[p5hrr]

Powdertec. 40 Houston Street. Glasgow. Just over the bridge going west towards the airport.

A few members use them, made an excellent job of my Sport Classic wheels, even repaired 2 x snapped BBS 2 piece bolts. Powdercoated centres and hand polished outer rim, with no lacquer. Easy to re-polish and keep clean with rim wax.

At least a couple of the GT3 RS boys use them to keep their alloys looking good.

 

[alanchester]

Just got a quote from Exel for £700 including exchange wheels.

At that price they will have to stay grubby!

Can I ask what Powdertec were asking and how long the process took?