Menu toggle

Refurbishing Fuchs Anodizing removal?

Kevin Frost

Kevin Frost

PCGB Member
Member
Have decided to refurbish my Fuchs & am wanting advice on removing the anodised finish prior to polishing. Have done a search & a lot of people seem to recommend Oven Cleaner to remove the finish?

All advice greatly appreciated.

many thanks & kind regards, Kevin
 
Hi Kevin,
You have a standard looking car, doing this makes for a more striking look to the wheels but polishing the aluminium will change it away from original. I assume the anodised finish is past its best? There are companies out there that can refurbish to the original anodised finish.
Steve
 
A solution of Caustic Soda will remove it, but I agree with Steve about getting them re-anodised. Caustic is nasty stuff to handle too.
 
Thank you both for your replies. The rears aren't too bad. The fronts have some slight pitting & marks underneath the anodising? The wheels are in general good shape but bug me every time that I look at them tbh.
I just don't have the budget to get them re anodised at the time being so thought I would have a go at doing them myself. I have done many old Escort RS Alloys in the past with great success.
I will take a pic of the fronts tomorrow & post up.

many thanks & kind regards, Kevin
 

Hi Kevin,
I wouldnt risk oven cleaner personally, its bloody evil stuff, i once got some on my hands being careless and it really burned badly. I guess it'll work to an extent but you dont want to damage original Fuchs (very expensive to replace)
personally I don't like the polished look.....:ROFLMAO: goes well with a ducktail spoiler, and to complete the look, a fake gold Rolex watch[:mad:][:mad:]
Think ive seen something on Pelican about polishing wheels .
regards
Graham
 
Thanks Graham :) Have been looking on Pelican as well. Lots of different ways people have done their wheels. I want to keep the original look (I think) but polish the rims. I did toy with polishing the Petals? also.................... If I do them myself then I can always revert back to standard very easily.
 
What ive heard some people do is polish the rims and to restore the anodised look, flat with very fine grade paper. Youd probably need to put some protection on to stop the brake dust eating into the alloy. I guess its a question of personal taste with the wheels.
look forward to seeing what you do
regards
Graham
 
I have polished wheels (no lacquer, bare aluminium) on my daily drive. They need protection of some description to keep them looking good. I use a wax (Collinite Marque D' elegance) which I apply once every few weeks to ensure the protection is not lost. As already mentioned, other road contaminants as well as brake dust will attack the alloy if not protected. Brake dust when wet will stain and eat into the alloy if left!
Oh and road salt is by far the worst and should be removed at the first opportunity!
 
I had a set of Fuchs restored to original factory look in a very economical way a couple of years ago. Spit 'n Polish in Tonbridge, Kent, stripped the wheels bare and powder coat the centres in satin black ( inc. centre caps ) , then coated the rim in 3 layers of satin laquer. The appearance was indistinguishable from having the rims anodised and of course, a fraction of the cost and very durable !
Good luck.
Regards, Nick.
 
Been chatting to a mate of mine today who's girlfriends parents run a Metal Polishing business. I think they do anodising as well. If so & the price is ok then I will get them to strip the wheels, I will then Wet & Dry them to get the marks out then take them back to be re anodised.
Question, When originally done, were the whole wheels anodised first then painted or, the other way round?

Many thanks & kind regards, Kevin
 
That's about right. Mine cost £1000 for a factory standard refurb - paid for by a third party because they used a non PH-neutral cleaner on the wheels, which attacks the anodising (and please, let that be a warning to you all).
 
Wheels would be stripped anodized then painted

The problem with a skim and lacquer is that moisture gets under the lacquer and it looks very poor after a year or so, If your car is a bit of a queen and you wash it after every outing like some of us do, the cheap solution would be a skim and paint but leave the edges and just flatten them off with wet n dry or wire wool to take the shine & machine marks out. This will give a factory look but will need to be cleaned after every outing and probably wire wooled every month or so as the untreated aluminum will corrode/tarnish
 
T911UK said:
Wheels would be stripped anodized then painted

The problem with a skim and lacquer is that moisture gets under the lacquer and it looks very poor after a year or so, If your car is a bit of a queen and you wash it after every outing like some of us do, the cheap solution would be a skim and paint but leave the edges and just flatten them off with wet n dry or wire wool to take the shine & machine marks out. This will give a factory look but will need to be cleaned after every outing and probably wire wooled every month or so as the untreated aluminum will corrode/tarnish
Click to expand...


Car hasn't been washed yet & I don't really intend to. Never washed my RS in over 10 years. Car gets a once over with Meguires Detailer before every outing so always remains clean.
I do remember though when I used to run the RS as an everyday car that I almost had to refurb the wheels again every Spring after the salt etc. No chance of that happening with the 911, as soon as the first salt is laid, off the road she comes [:)]
 
911 targa said:
It's a car and as such should be used restitise will kill a car,drive IT!!!!!!!
Paul
Click to expand...


I most definitely use it. Did more miles in the first month than I ever did in the RS [:D] It will remain taxed all year & will be used on nice winter days. Just not the salty roads.
Just been on the phone to my mate's Girlfriend's place & they can't do anything with regards to the Anodising. Hmmmmmm. They recommend a place called "Pro Strip" for removal in Nottingham.

These are the fronts N/S is the worst. Shows the marking/scratches clearly. The second pic flash was used & really highlight's it all.

Untitled by Kevin Frost, on Flickr

Untitled by Kevin Frost, on Flickr
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top