how to restore correctly my Fuchs?

[Olivier 3.0]

I have a Carrera 3.0, which was initially released with 6 & 7' Fuchs wheels, with the classic "star" (i mean with polish center,like pre-73); later the center was painted in black by a previous owner.

Now, I try to restore it; but do someone know if I have to re-anodize the wheel where there is no paint? May I vernish it? what is the risk to let those parts nudes ?

I join a picture of the process (before/while) ...

[Jens Wendorff]

If you want to be THAT original, yes.
But who cares what is under the paint???
For protection purposes and for the look, a good paint is sufficient. Most people on this board recommend Wurth Satin Black. I would add a very good primer underneath as well.

Jens

[James Ball]

I think Olivier means what should be do to the parts of the wheel that he is not going to paint black.

Olivier - There has been a lot of discussion about this and a quick search through the archives (search link is in the top right of the screen) should bring back lots of info. I believe you either:

a) varnish and understand that this will look good for a short while only

b) get them anodized by a professional

c) polish them and understand that this will look good for a short while only unless you keep polishing them

B seems to be the best option, although C seems to be the most common

Whatever you choose you will probably want to apply the same process to the rims in order to keep the look consistent.

[Nickshu]

Oilver,

Fuchs are clear annodized all over with black paint in the center. If the clear anno. on the outside rim is ok...you can repaint the center.

The factory paint is actually a heavy duty wheel paint made by Wurth. You can buy it from Griot's garage (it's called Griot's wheel paint...but its just Wurth in a Griot's can). First scuff your old paint with a scotch brite pad, then clean with wax/silicone remover, paint a few layers, then let dry. Little polishing should be necessary. If your Anno. is damaged, anno shops are plentiful around major cities. Look in the phone book.

Also...Tweeks sells the painted center caps for just over $100 for a set of 4. Cheapest I've seen them.

Good Luck.
Nick.

------------------
_ _ __ _ _
Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com
PCA -- Rocky Mtn. Region

[Olivier 3.0]

thanks to James to have made my comments clear: I want to keep the "star" unpainted, like Classic, because it was the original look of my wheels.
Thanks also to the others, and I apologize if my question is obvious and already answered, but as it's written, I'm junior
and French (living in France) so I can hardly use your adresses advice.

The thing I want to know is : To re anodize the wheels, do you have to do it on the whole area, or only on unpainted zones, and do you have to do it before or after having painted the black zones?
In fact, I realize I do not figure what is anodization... is the wheel dipped (or dip?) in a bath, or something near?
If I choose to let the unpainted parts "naked", how often will I have to polish them?

Thank you for your answers, and sorry once again for langage mistakes

[david w.]

Question? Do all black fuch wheels have that look under the paint?

[phillocks]

olivier
il ya un garage en Angleterre qui fait de la restau de Fuchs.
Cher mais de bonne qualite.
Si tu veut son addresse envoi moi un mail.
Autrement as tu cherche un restaurateur dans le magazine Flat6 en France.
Cordialement
Peter

[CamB]

I haven't had my wheels refinished yet, but got most of my aluminium trim (eg window frames, windscreen surround) done.

They were polished, then sent to the anodizer and clear gloss anodised. I was offered a choice of a bunch of colours and gloss or matt. I wonder if the Fuchs are matt or if the ones I have seen (in the flesh) are always a bit jaded?

Either way, the upshot is that I was charged only NZ$9 per piece for the anodising. It didn't matter if it was a big piece of front window frame or the tiny covering strip in the middle of the windscreen surround - all were NZ$9 (which is only about US$4 - or a Venti Caramel Machiatto for you guys in the USA). This suggested they had a HUGE tank and I was charged kind of a set-up fee per piece, size immaterial.

What I hope, is that the Fuchs are going to be NZ$9 each. That will be kickass (i have two sets now - 16" and 15" and both need refinishing in the old style). Besides, it is the hours of stripping and polishing that costs - right (my time or my $$$)? Then masking and repainting... It would be nice if one part of the process is really cheap.

I will, of course, let the BBS know PDQ if it is cheap, cause plenty of folk refinish their wheels and the original anodising has proven itself pretty durable (remembering to protect it with vaseline).

Long post - I should go have some fun, it is 9pm Sat night here...

Cam

[This message has been edited by CamB (edited 06-09-2001).]

[Olivier 3.0]

thanks to Peter for his answer in my native language...
Well, the anodization which seems cheap in NZ, is really expensive here (as far as I asked to the correct people), and there is no add in the local press (Flat 6).
I found a shop specialized in restoration, which has done a lot of Fuchs, and they said that you can let the alloy nude, as long as you maintain it in good condition.
So, I'll try with them and willshow you the result.

Thanks a lot.