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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 11:10

Title: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 11:10
Does anyone have any information or pointers about refurbing your own alloys?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 13:28
There is a thread on this, ive been searching for like 10mins, cant find it, will post it when i can find it!  :cool:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 14:29
I did have a look but couldnt see one. That would be a great help though.

I have just spent 2hours giving them a good clean and they dont look too bad so was thinking of gving it a go myself. Its mainly the outer edge and a couple of spots inside.

I'm just not sure what the procedure is and whats best to use.
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 14:36
I did have a look but couldnt see one. That would be a great help though.

I have just spent 2hours giving them a good clean and they dont look too bad so was thinking of gving it a go myself. Its mainly the outer edge and a couple of spots inside.

I'm just not sure what the procedure is and whats best to use.

WEll i was recommended wonder wheels, which basically is acid in a pot and a brush, and it makes a HUGE difference. Really does, and convinced me not to refurb them at all  :smiley:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 14:54
but surely that would only clean them, and not protect them or get rid of the marks on them
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 14:58
Look at the reply to this thread, it will give you a good idea on how to refurb them:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=75429.0

Mike
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 15:14
That is a definate help.

Do you know is the paint remover that he used would take off the corrosion?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: boneybradley on 24 February 2008, 15:24
corrosion needs to be sanded off smooth and then it will require paint/polishing
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 15:27
Basically just sand it back, then use a fine wet and dry to get it back to smooth, maybe some fine filler to get it smoothened if theres any curbing. Then prime it up and spray it. Do take your time and sand back priming after each layer etc.

This thread might also help..

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=76105.0
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 15:33
Where id the best place to get the spray from? Do you get just any build primer, then silver spray and then the lacquer?

This is what they are like at the moment

(http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v199/182/67/513278009/s513278009_329458_8488.jpg)

(http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v204/182/67/513278009/s513278009_329452_525.jpg)
The one on the left i didnt gat any chance to clean before.
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 15:51
Metal primer obv, maybe white for silver wheels. Depends how much you want to spend, you could get it from a place like halfords, or spend a little more and go to a paint shop, but as your not matching it to anything, halfords paint would be fine. Not sure if spray can laquer would be good enough, you might want that done proffesionally.... :/
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 16:05
The only matching that i will be doing is to have them all look the same. But thats ok as i'm going to do all of them! lol.

What about a filler for when i take off the corrosion?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 16:27
The only matching that i will be doing is to have them all look the same. But thats ok as i'm going to do all of them! lol.

What about a filler for when i take off the corrosion?

Just any metal filler, take your time with it, also for the outta rims. fill it and smooth it.
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: boneybradley on 24 February 2008, 16:29
use p38 filler.. its easy to mix and sand
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 16:30
use p38 filler.. its easy to mix and sand

Dont go overboard and get the huge tub athough its tempting, i did this, and ended up with 99% left over  :grin:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 16:56
I will have a look at that then. Where do you get it from?

So...Is it...

-Give the wheels a good wash and scrub as much grease off as possible

-Use nitromors to get all the old dirt and lacquer off

-Sand down the corroded areas using first a harsh ish sandpaper then a fine one

-Use p38 filler to bring the area sanded back to the correct level

-Sand the filler down gently making all the edges smooth

-Use a metal primer over the whole wheel to get a nice even look

-Get a silver spray to give it a final coat

-Use a lacquer to seel everything and finish it all off

Does this sound about right?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 17:00
Thats prefect, BUT when you sand it, use a fine one anyway, wet and dry to you wet the paper, dont use anything to course even to start with, as you will make youself more work.

But yeah, you pretty much got it. The only other thing is, take your time, even if its takes weeks. Because if you mess up the spraying, you have to start again really.

When you spray with cans, spray from miles back, and let it build up coats, so you might get patchy paint work, but it builds up, just to avoid any running, will look bettter in the long run  :wink:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 17:04
Excellent, Its nice to know i understand what i need to do.

I dont mind how long it takes as i'm on a very slim budget at the moment.

I will post some pictures when I eventually finish for you to see
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 24 February 2008, 18:18
Excellent, Its nice to know i understand what i need to do.

I dont mind how long it takes as i'm on a very slim budget at the moment.

I will post some pictures when I eventually finish for you to see

Do a step by step, could be useful for other people, with pics n stuff  :cool:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 24 February 2008, 18:35
i use steel metal to fill holes on alloys -its like clay and when you kneed it together and leave it its rock hard.good for filling holes/kerbing. i dont use filler because it cracks.
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 24 February 2008, 18:53
I will do that. I think more peopple would be willing to try if they knew what was involved

I think i will stick with the filler for now as these dont have any kerbing its just corrosion. I might change that with the ones i'm going to take off the car
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 12:39
Just thought on

Is there a specific silver spray you should use for your alloys?

and...

How would you get the shine back? Do you just put some polish on when its all done?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Mikester on 25 February 2008, 12:41
One of two things.

Either spray them silver, metalic silver, good few layers and then laquer them and polish them like you would your body.

Or get them chromed, athough you cant do that yourself i dont think :/

Hope that helps.

Mike
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 13:31
Oh ok, the first sounds like the finish i want.

Dont think they would look good chromed.

thanks mike you have been a big help
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 21:00
Does anyone know what screw bit you need to split bbs rxII's?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: Guy on 25 February 2008, 21:15
nope - but i think you need a torque wrench to do them up too?! i could be wrong but I would doubel check if I were you?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 21:25
i know that, but i dont have the bit i need, all but that one by the looks of it  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 21:44
i think there 12 sided 9mm bolts
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 21:46
it sounds about right. i dont suppose you know the t number?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 21:48
t number ?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 21:57
its the number the bit is given. like t50 etc
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 21:59
no its just a normal 12 side socket it isnt a torx .6 sided is a normal socket and you got 12 sided ones to  :wink:
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 22:05
Dont suppose you or anyone else has a picture?
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 22:14
halfords a couple off quid ,sorry i aint got pics off sockets
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 22:16
http://www.housecharm.co.uk/items/2-25891/Draper-9mm-12-Point-Socket-38-Drive.html

here you go
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 22:20
they are like the other way round though, so i would need to bit that goes inside.
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 25 February 2008, 22:23
m8 spline you mean ,thought the bolts where male
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 25 February 2008, 22:46
they look like this

(http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v199/182/67/513278009/n513278009_332364_4167.jpg)

(http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v199/182/67/513278009/n513278009_332363_4329.jpg)

sorry for poor pics, camera phone
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: saul79 on 26 February 2008, 19:53
think its m8 spline
Title: Re: Refurbing alloys
Post by: admc6 on 26 February 2008, 21:56
its ok i have found a bit now. going to give it a whirl 2moro :undecided: