Which pads do I need for refurbing my fuchs to go with my Dewalt 5" cordless polisher

[JonT]

I just purchased a set of 16x7/9 fuchs and want to completely refurb them front and back with polished petals and lips and satin black background.

Currently they are anodized with some curb rash and white painted centers.

Going to try the Easy Off in the yellow can on the anodized parts and the sander the remaining parts I can reach.

My question is specifically which hook and loop pads will make the job the quickest and have the best results. Appreciate the tips.

[Cdnone1]

Do not sand them. Use some aircraft stripper

[Showdown]

I’m in the process of this.

I tried using easy off and paint stripper to remove the anodizing and paint and found it to be arduously slow, sloppy and imperfect. I had mine glass bead blasted which left them perfectly clean. In addition the surface now has a beautiful satin finish that’s perfect for paint. Cost was $100. Well worth it. For the polishing of the lips (I’m doing an RSR finish) with my dewalt orbital sander and soft Velcro pad on the disc I started with WD-40 lubricated 400 then 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, and finally wool buffing pads with simichrome polish. The lips of the rim are mirror polished now... perfect. Took under an hour for all 4. Here’s a photo after the bead blasting.

[Tommy Z]

Originally Posted by Showdown

I’m in the process of this.

I tried using easy off and paint stripper to remove the anodizing and paint and found it to be arduously slow, sloppy and imperfect. I had mine glass bead blasted which left them perfectly clean. In addition the surface now has a beautiful satin finish that’s perfect for paint. Cost was $100. Well worth it. For the polishing of the lips (I’m doing an RSR finish) with my dewalt orbital sander and soft Velcro pad on the disc I started with WD-40 lubricated 400 then 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, and finally wool buffing pads with simichrome polish. The lips of the rim are mirror polished now... perfect. Took under an hour for all 4. Here’s a photo after the bead blasting.

Showdown, Can you please show us some pics of your finished product?

[Showdown]

I’m not yet finished- still have to paint but here’s a shot of the polished rim. I may go over it once make to remove some micro scratches that I made with a shop towel accidentally. They’re not going to win concourse but for under an hour they work for my driver.

[stormin48061]

I refinished mine a few years back. I wished I was smart enough to use the dewalt.. didn't think about it back then. I did mine by hand. by started with 600 grit as I didn't have mine glass beaded. I used the same combo grit sand paper - 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000 but wet sanded. Then I went polishing compounds, black, red, blue and then finished with white.

As for those micro scratches, talking from experience, you stay with the wet sanding to get them out because when you go to the polishing compounds, they won't take out the scratches, so you hafta work them out before you polish.

[JonT]

Showdown--which paint are you using for the RSR finish?

[Showdown]

Krylon K01403 dull metallic for the petals and VHT SP183 satin black for the inner black areas.

Honestly, I’m ok with the micro scratches, these wheels will be used daily so this is probably as good as they’ll ever look.

If I were going for a show car I’d have worked all the little stuff out.

[JonT]

anyone know how the fuchs refinishers get the satin-look on the polished aluminum? and then are they clear coated somehow? I was asking a local shop about a clear powder coat and was wondering how that would work.

[creaturecat]

Originally Posted by JonT

anyone know how the fuchs refinishers get the satin-look on the polished aluminum? and then are they clear coated somehow? I was asking a local shop about a clear powder coat and was wondering how that would work.

our local refinisher https://www.greensautomotive.com/ uses a satin type clear coat to obtain the anodized look. folks are happy with the result.