Refurbishing Fuchs Anodizing removal?

[Rotorhead]

Only my opinion, but when I see a Fuchs wheel on a Porsche, I expect it to have the correct 'frosted' finish on the rims. Few people can achieve it, but it's a work of art done properly.

 

[Kevin Frost]

Oh, Mine are frosted alright. It's just the marks that I dislike

 

[graham tompkins]

Yes bud, those scratches are quite prominent in the pic, hard to imagine how they were caused...
careless mechanic/tyre fitter?
Its always the N/s that takes the worst pounding though,,....all the crap in the gutters, not to mention the potholes, where i live they are awful. 3 cars ago i had a Merc AMG C36 and ruined 2 ns fronts and 1 ns rear wheel.cost a fortune to replace them .I was told that particularly German cars all have soft alloy wheels and poor lacquer protection. They never tell you this when they sell you the car of course.

 

[Kevin Frost]

Graham, Yes, the N/S is definitely the worst. Does look nastier than it actually is in the pics. Just waiting a call back from pro Strip to see what they have to say

 

[924Srr27l]

Oh, Mine are frosted alright. It's just the marks that I dislike

Hi, Have you seen the services of Nick Moss @ Early 911 ?

He does Fuchs Restoration properly and it will take approx 4-6 weeks

£200+ per wheel, dependant on what finish & detail you want?

http://www.early911.co.uk/html/fuchs_rims.html

There is in my opinion only ONE WAY to tackle Fuchs wheels, get them done properly, and don;t whinge about
the cost it's not a Mondeo! Or DO NOT ATTEMPT to do then yourself no matter how handy you are, because i will devalue the
car if they are done done properly.

Anodising is a much harder and and thinner cover than 2 pack or Powder lacquer, acid will remove it but trying to strip it off without
it also taking off the centre black paint is pretty much impossible.

The difficulty with the age of them is the pitting and stone chips, if you attempt to polish this they will be highlighted even more,
The Outer dishes need to be machined to take out the holes, then polished, then anodised, then the centre painted etc...

Leaving them as they are does not lose value for your car, and they look patina and original! but tackling them and potentially making a mess will!

I've seen many that have had DIY jobs, and it's madness in my opinion.

Roger

 

[911 targa]

Oh how I agree with you Roger,if there is one thing that puts me in a patina panic ,over restored cars are to say the least garage queen,.
They went built like this!!!!!!
Paul

 

[LindyLou]

Hi Kevin,
A few thoughts for what it's worth..
Oven cleaner on the wheels sounds scary.
I no longer use wheel cleaner as it seemed to leave a cloudy, milky film on the silver metal. Now only car wash shampoo using a soft dish brush. Then several times per year (and always before a car show) I use AutoGlym metal polish on the silver rims which seems to keep the brassy look at bay. Followed by a thin application of petroleum jelly on entire wheel including sidewall of tire. Let sit for a few hours (best a day if possible) and pat off excess. Doesn't result in it being too shiny (which is not in keeping with the original flat 3.2 look) but provides protection from the elements and helps to hide its age a bit.
I have often wanted to repaint the black portions (it is the OCD in me) but actually like the 'worn' look as this is what is expected at 30 years and 152,000 km.
Melinda

 

[924Srr27l]

Hi Kevin,
A few thoughts for what it's worth..
Oven cleaner on the wheels sounds scary.
I no longer use wheel cleaner as it seemed to leave a cloudy, milky film on the silver metal. Now only car wash shampoo using a soft dish brush. Then several times per year (and always before a car show) I use AutoGlym metal polish on the silver rims which seems to keep the brassy look at bay. Followed by a thin application of petroleum jelly on entire wheel including sidewall of tire. Let sit for a few hours (best a day if possible) and pat off excess. Doesn't result in it being too shiny (which is not in keeping with the original flat 3.2 look) but provides protection from the elements and helps to hide its age a bit.
I have often wanted to repaint the black portions (it is the OCD in me) but actually like the 'worn' look as this is what is expected at 30 years and 152,000 km.
Melinda

Hi, Melina a few further thoughts to your wheel cleaning.....

Many wheel cleaners are acid based which is great for removing stubborn brake dust and baked on stains etc...but this can
(Depending on strength) stain and leave as you mention a "cloudy milky" finish which is the acid etching the paintwork.
As discussed on this thread the Outer rim is originally a bare metal polished finish, then covered with a clear anodise plating.

Unless on your wheels this has been stripped off?

I would not recommend cleaning / scrubbing / or polishing the anodising with a metal polish, as this
product only works and is designed for bare metal.

If you have a black residue on your rag then they are bare metal, but this is rare, not original and also not recommended having no coverage for road use. The jelly and any polish is effectively a barrier which will sit inbetween any dirt, debris and brake dust and the hard anodised finish and also the paint in the centre.

Roger

 

[Kevin Frost]

Hmmmmmmmm, Upon further inspection my rears seem do be devoid of the anodising...... Definitely need to do something about them now.