Stipping ...... Fuchs

[Jeff Alton]

I had requests to explain how I was able to painlessly strip the anodising off the lips of my Fuchs. I only stripped and polished the lips and painted the centers so I can not comment on the stipping of the centers.

Here goes...

1. I chose tho use the "house brand" drain cleaner from my local large grocery chain. (around 3 bucks a bottle- will do two wheels per bottle). The important ingredient in the cleaner is Lye, or so I think. Others have had success with using heavy duty Easy-Off oven cleaner. (I have not tried this).

2. I poured the drain cleaner on the wheel lips and let in sit for a few minutes and then scrubbed lightly with a green scotch brite pad. Next I repeated this process and then rinsed and dried the wheels. No more anodising. This took about 15 min per wheel.

3. I then started with a "stiff" buff on my drill and polished with "tripoli" buffing stick compound. Followed with a "medium" buff with white rouge #1 compound and finished with a "soft" buff with jewelers rouge. Voila... looks great!!

4. Cleaned, masked, sanded and painted the centers. I chose to use a gloss black paint for the centers. I know most people use a Satin paint, But I thought the gloss was a better match for the polished lips and that the Satin goes better with stock anodising.
Just my opinion mind you, and repainting would be easy anyhow!

I will post pics when I get back to my home computer and actually take some. I would estimate that I put a Total of 4-5 hours into this project spread over a few days.

I hope this helps and apologize for any incorrect terms I may have used.

Jeff

[MotoSook]

Great! Thanks Jeff.

[SIR70T]

Jeff,

Can't wait for the pics as this is my next project.

Shane

[UTKarmann_Ghia]

Did you do this with the tires on the wheels? Just wondering what the cleaners would do to the rubber...

[goat]

Don't forget to add rubber gloves to the shopping list too.
Pics should be good.

[Zeke]

Thanks for validating that caustic solutions do the trick. Now I wonder if I can do my door sill trim, quarter window trim and door frames the same way? I don't have an extra piece to experiment with.

[Jeff Alton]

A couple of things. Yes, get gloves. I did this about 3 weeks ago and still have burn marks on my legs where some drain cleaner splashed and was imediately washed off! ouch!! Also, I did not leave the cleaner on "that long" so I do not know if extra exposure will cause pitting.
Once I had the anodising off, I quickly washed the stuff off and dried the wheels.

Matt, Two of the wheels had tires on and two did not. No marks or signs at all on the tires from the cleaner. I have however hit the tires a couple of times with the buffing wheel!

Wayne recommends Wenol in 101 projects. I used both red and blue after polishing and found they both introduced some very minor, barely visible scratching into the polished surface. Does anyone know of a better hand polish for when they need a "once over"?

Jeff

[MichiganMat]

sounds like you've got a working solution, I wish I had read this post about 6 months ago before I attacked my Fuchs with sandpaper and a grinder/wire wheel. To that end I offer an addition to your solution:

After removing the anodization with cleaner, wet-sand the wheel with 320 then 540 to smooth out any pitting. I had to buf each wheel for hours to work out the pitting when I could have just used wet-sand for a few minutes before starting the buf.

Also to echo what Ive read in other posts on stripping, don't leave the oven cleaner (if you go that route) on for more than 30 minutes as it will eat away at the material and really pit it badly.

2 cents.

[deanp]

Simichrome or Nevr-Dull? Nevr-Dull comes in a can and is wadded material that has polish on it. Simply tear out a wad, polish and buff off with a soft rag.

Nevr-Dull

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by catca
Does anyone know of a better hand polish for when they need a "once over"?

Jeff

Mother's Mag polish does the trick nicely. Just be sure to use a clean, 100% cotton cloth, and keep rotating.

Side note:
The spray-on oven cleaner (Easy-Off) method worked great for me. That along with maroon Scotch-Brite had the anodizing off in no time. Followed up with 1000 grit wet sand, then 1500, then 2000, then paste polish.
Also, If you need to strip the paint but don't want to remove/hurt the anodizing, then use Aircraft Stripper. Now lets see some pics Jeff!

[curlesw]

Easy Off works well but make sure it's heavy duty...regular Easy Off does not have lye...guess how I know?

v/r
Wayne C.
83 SC

[Eric Coffey]

Ah, good call! Yes heavy duty Easy-off. The stuff in the white can with the yellow top (at least that's what I used).

[Flying Toaster]

What exactly is "anodising"? Is this another name for the clear coat?

I am just about ready to tackle this project. I purchased POR-15's wheel refinishing/polishing kit & I want to make sure I will not damge the wheels with the "stripper" that it comes with. Thanks in advance. -John

[Westy]

Semi Chrome is absolutely the best metal polish I have ever used. Of course, I don't yet have any fuchs to polish, so what the he!! do I know???

[unimog]

As far as the 'best' polish for the final polish or touch-up, my vote goes to FLITZ. We use it to polish the leading edges on our Falcon 50 (corportate jet) and not only does it do a great job, but the shine/polish holds up very well (it is $400,000 to replace the leading edges, and you though Fuchs were big bucks). We buy it in the 2 pound cans (about $50.00 per can, so $25.00 a pound) which is a lot cheaper way to go, then the smaller tubes that comes out to about $120 per pound. An internet search will find aircraft distributors that sell it in the 2 pounds cans, most auto places only carry the tubes.
Another use I found for Flitz is when I got my '87 the paint was very dull (Grand Prix White), a long long time since it had seen a wax job. I went over the whole car with Flitz (by hand) and then 2 coats of Zymol wax, and it is 'as new', the Flitz really polished up the existing paint. I'd try a test spot before attempting with any color other then white.

[Jeff Alton]

Thanks for the suggestions on polishes. The pics should be up by sunday afternoon.

I am going to do the same to the pair of 16x6 that I have around and I will photo document the process. Starting to think I shoulda went with the satin........


Jeff

[Jeff Alton]

Here are some pics. I think I have a little too much camera flash, but you will get the idea. I picked up some Mothers "Billet" polish and it seems to do the job.

[Eric Coffey]

lookin good!

[poorsha]

Jeff, your car is dirty

[Jeff Alton]

I know, I drive it everyday. But, I am going to wash it in about 10 mins!!!!

Jeff