Stripping Fuchs

9Firty · 07-09-2004, 01:11 AM

Calling all fingertipless Pelicanites

I am looking for help and advice on bringing my Fuchs back to their original colour. Currently they are colour coded with my car (courtesy of the previous owner) and I want to return them to standard black centres. At the moment they look like this (apologies about the photo quality ... taken with phone)

.

I'm reliably informed by another Pelicanite that this job requires some pretty hard sanding and there is not really any way to avoid it. However even if that is the case I'm sure there are people out there who have attempted this and consequently have tips/ideas/suggestions to make this pr*ck of a job easier. Can anyone with any experience help?

Rod80SC · Rod80SC's Garage

Last winters project was stripping and paint/polish on all four. With excellent results. Are you planning on stripping the original anodization, and polishing the rims?
If so, oven cleaner is the ticket. The lye in the oven cleaner is the only thing that will take off the anodization. The wheel will then have a dull white appearance. I then wet sanded with 400 then 600. Followed by a 9" angle grinder with cloth wheel and polishing rouge. Polish the rims really good, with just a bit of overlap where the black paint will be, then tape off with electrical tape (does the curve really well). Go back and lightly wet sand up to the tape line and paint. You will love the results.
Good luck

sfmlaw17 · 07-09-2004, 04:16 AM

It really isn't that difficult. Check the archives, that is where I got all the information that I needed when I did mine. Get some aircraft grade paint stripper at your local auto store. It will eat all the paint fairly easily. Surprisingly, since your PO painted them, that will make it easier for you to strip. Just put the stuff on and follow directions. It works fairly quickly. I did mine with the tires left on the wheels. Just make sure you get a good self-etching primer and paint. You shouldn't have to remove the anodizing under the paint since you are repainting. That is where all the sanding comes in unless you chemically strip it. I just did mine a few weeks ago. It is a 1 weekend job.

Jeff Alton · 07-09-2004, 03:18 PM

Anything with Lye to strip the anodising. I had better luck with drain cleaner than oven cleaner though. If the paint is well bonded, just scuff it with some 400 grit, clean, and paint again.

Jeff

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

I'm doing mine as we speek.

I'll post some spics when I'm finished.

The best paint to use is Wurths sabesto Satin Gloss Black RAL 9005. I'm pretty sure Pelican have it.

It is very close to the factory colour.

I found using pin stipping tape to give you the edge around the wheel (where black meets silver) works great as it goes around the corners easily without any lumps. Then I just used wide masking tape for the rest.

vash · vash's Garage

the timing of this thread is perfect. thanks for the paint type, aussie. so if i am just recoating my existing black paint, i simple rough sanding is all i need?

cliff

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

I did a rough sand, then made sure all the dust from sanding was totally off.

Then I cleaned the wheels with soap and water, then degreased the wheels. (I wanted to make sure the paint stuck well)

Then I used some spray on primer. (this is good at filling any little marks in the wheels, as well as giving the black paint something good to stick to)

Then a few coats of black. Put it on in lots of thin even coats, as you dont want runs or anything like that.

Then I did two coats of clear over the top (for paint protection)

I didn't strip the silver anodizing off as I prefer that over the chrome look.

Now I just need to get new wheel nuts or my old ones anodized, as my old ones are all scratched. And buff up my tyres.

Before

After

9Firty · 07-13-2004, 10:52 PM

Many thanks to everyone who replied to this post ... all advice gratefully noted.

Aussie, do you have any ideas on what product (available in Aust) to use to get the blue paint off? I've never even heard of Lye?

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

Blue paint?

Mine were black, and under it I could see a bit of yellow.

I think the black was anodized.

As it was not peeling off, and was just warn off and fadded, I just gave them a light sand, then undercoat then the wurths black, then two clear coats.

I didn't strip them as I did not want to strip any of the silver anodized area.

scottb · 07-14-2004, 12:27 AM

I'm a big fan of DIY projects, but when it comes to refinishing Fuchs wheels, I have two words to say:

AL REED.

Enough said.

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

Well no matter how good Al Reed is, his to far away for me.

And for 9Firty.

Rod80SC · Rod80SC's Garage

Anyone can do what Al Reed does for a fraction of the cost.

david914 · 07-14-2004, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod80SC
Anyone can do what Al Reed does for a fraction of the cost.

Just some "sweat equity"!

bigrubberjeep · 07-14-2004, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod80SC
Anyone can do what Al Reed does for a fraction of the cost.

Sure- but Quality will be far inferior.

nullh2o · nullh2o's Garage

Its not rocket science or dry-walling though.
btw, BRJ do you have any more pics of your car? I'm getting fully-polished 7's & 9's for my SC (yours are polished, right?)

bigrubberjeep · 07-14-2004, 09:02 AM

No mine are not polished ( I wish) the PO had them cromed

bigrubberjeep · 07-14-2004, 09:05 AM

Before it was mine

scottb · 07-14-2004, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod80SC
Anyone can do what Al Reed does for a fraction of the cost.

If you're willing to invest tons of time, then you might be able to get close to what Al does. You have to ask yourself, "what is my time worth?" For me, it was a no-brainer....I'd let Al do the work and have it done right! He's the expert. He knows, for example, that the proper paint for the wheels is Wurth Satin Black. Some people might just to to their local Home Depot and get Krylon glossy, or something similar. The "devil is in the details," as the saying goes, and Al and Diane are magicians when it comes to Fuchs wheels. Diane even hand paints the crest in the center caps!

Al once told me that people ship him wheels from all over the world. I don't know what the shipping costs would be from Australia, but I'd seriously consider shipping from there if the costs were tolerable.

FWIW, my $.02

bigrubberjeep · 07-14-2004, 09:51 AM

Anyone have pictures of BLACKED OUT FUCH'S?

I mean ALL BLACK even the rim.

Jdub · 07-14-2004, 09:58 AM

I have hand-sanded 6/7"ers and had Al Reed do a set of 7/9"ers.

I will go with Al Reed every time. That said, I now know how to do it yourself so can tell you that stripping the anodizing is best left to Easy Off Oven Cleaner with Lye, or a straight Lye dose. Hand-sanding the anodizing off is a real PITA.

Once the anodizing is off, it gets very easy. It is just a case of taking the time to reduce the surface imperfections using paper from about 220 all the way to a wet sand of 200 grit. ALWAYS wash with soapy water between grits or you will just be driving in old bits of grit.

Then it's off to rouges: tripoli, etc. and then to a good aluminum polish, such as Mothers or Simichrome. Lots and lots and lots of handwork so be prepared for that.

Al's work was first-class. Worth every penny.

John