More Fuch Bling... Chicago style!

[MotoSook]

I've been working with a local guy to provide Fuch polishing in the Midwest (Chicagoland). I took a big leap and set the guy up to experimented with one of my spare wheel, and I like the results!

This is the first wheel with powdercoating. I have a set of polished wheels with black painted centers on my Carrera with the paint starting to get thin in some areas from the frequent cleaning and re-polishing, so I thought powdercoating might work better. We wanted to minimize the labor so the guy taped the polished section only, so the powder adhered to the back of the wheel center too..bonus! The powder should help detect cracks..another bonus.

I went with a gloss black for a better match to the polished outer. The rim was mildly scratched from previous mounting, but we fixed it up. We can weld more damaged wheels too! I've got a couple of options in the works for repairs (this guy and another source). We can mount the wheel too, so no taking chances at the corner wheel shop with your newly polished wheels.

You guys are the toughest crowd to please when it comes to our cars...so what do you guys think?

(I photographed the wheel next to a factory finished wheel for comparison. I'll shoot it next to my other polished wheel tomorrow.....there's a big difference between the older polished wheel and this new one)

[89911]

Looks nice. I don't think you want any paint where the wheel and spindle/hub contact each other. That is really a precise fit to avoid any wheel vibration and it would surely start chipping once the cars lug nuts were torqued repeately. Better to keep it bare metal to metal.

[Lukesportsman]

How diverse are you going Souk? Everytime we turn around your looking at another project. Are you hoping to set up a full blown "shop" or company?

I'll keep my eyes open for the email and pictures. Hope your journey was uneventful...did you drive the Carrera?

[MotoSook]

89911: The contact surface was covered. That part was easy to tape over.

Luke: I drove all night Thursday and blew through Ohio and Indiana...it wasa a rough 10 hour drive in the rain. I'm working on something stay tuned.

[72doug2,2S]

They look perrty, but....
I'm not sure paint is the best way to bring back annodized wheels. Correct me if I'm wrong, but normal fuchs were not painted at all, the black was the annondizing process, like a Calphalon pan. I'll stick to vasoline rub (On my wheels)

[MotoSook]

Doug, the factory centers were paint. The outers were anodized. Most of our Fuchs are 20+ years old. With age and mishandling by tire shops, those wheels need more than Vasoline.

If you run a search here (e.g. "Fuch polish"), you'll see that we are not doing anything new here. Folks have been polishing Fuchs longer than I have been of legal driving age.

[al lkosmal]

Souk,
That looks great! The powder coating is very durable. I had all my engine tin powder coated and it's tough stuff. The combo of polished and gloss centers , while it may not be "traditional", makes use of later methods and looks so good. Good luck on your venture.

Al

[randywebb]

I like the less glossy satin black better. Most powdercoat puts a clear layer over the pigment too, like a wood table in a bar.

It is durable tho -- and there are lots of Fuchs around that look stock.

[techweenie]

Whenever you paint or powder paint a wheel, you need to leave the area where the lug nuts seat free of paint.

Otherwise, the first time someone puts 92 foot pounds on a lug nut, it risks cracking the paint under and around the lug seating area.

[tsuter]

Souk, I think you need to powder coat the A-arms and front control arms. maybe the strut assemblies too.
And get some Simple Green in those front fender wells.
That car was way too dirty for me last I saw it!!!

edit: Oh, no control arms?????

[Jay Auskin]

With age and mishandling by tire shops, those wheels need more than Vasoline.

Amen to that Souk. I'd like to see some of your work first hand once you get this going, but I'm pretty sure I'll be impressed. When the weather gets nice again, I'll be over.

I heard you work for Guinness???

Enough messing around on the computer. It's time to go Vaseline my Fuchs again...

[trj911]

Souk, those look great! I wish I hadn't already had 2 sets done or I'd give you some business.

[Todd Simpson]

Looks nice, my preference would be less gloss in the center.

[JonT]

I think they look fantastic as is--love the gloss.

[Jack Olsen]

My opinion: satin paint, not gloss, and find a way to not paint the backside/barrel/mating surfaces of the wheel. With paint there, people are going to be forever assuming the wheels are cast aftermarket copies. And I don't see the advantage of powdercoating on something as soft as aluminum alloy.

You guys make great pizza and hot dogs, though.

[GeorgeK]

Welding a Fuchs to repair tire iron marks is a good idea, provided the welder knows what he is doing.
There are specific welding rods, made of alloy that allows anodising afterwards. Not all welding rods are equal in that matter. A thing to consider.

[MotoSook]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I was debating whether or not to yell at the guy for powdering the lug nut recesses. But this was my experimental wheel, so it was better not to demoralize the guy so early.

I'm planning on using this first set on my black Fat Pig Carrera, so I wanted gloss black. I think a satin would be more acceptable to those that want to stick to a look that is closer to factory. Also, I wasn't concerned about anyone thinking these were replicas, but Jack is right, I'll have to cover the Fuch stamping in the back so the numbers and fox heads are visible. Still, with the powder over them, they are visible, but whatever the customer wants...

We can put satin or matte on the centers...the customer makes the call.

George, we'll be experimenting with some cracked Fuchs, so we'll perfect the welding before I give it my OK. I've got some good contacts that I have faith in to do this right, otherwise, I won't bother. It's not worth the hassle.


Thanks again for the comments guys. Keep them coming!

[fredmeister]

When are you gonna release contact info for this guy?
I am interested in getting my wheels refinished this winter and would prefer to not pay shipping all the way to California.
Detroit to Chicago area would be pretty convenieint.

[M.D. Holloway]

Souk, they look great! - almost look liquidy (sp) - plenty of bling but whats the $ching$? My color may be off, but the first pic looks like the chrome is yellow, almost gold tone which is interesting in it's own right. Without lookin ghetto, ever seen gold plate on wheels and trim on a 911?

[MotoSook]

The first picture was taken w/o a flash and the lighting made it look like that. I'm partially color blind, so to me that just looked like a polished surface in poor light ... until my lady said, "that's gold." Now you too ...

The two pictures are of the same wheel.

We should be taking orders in a month or so. We'll aiming for 1st of the year. Contact me via e-mail if you'd like, click on the little envelope.

PS. my ISP is being very flakey these days, so if I don't reply or post...you know why.