FUCHS 7" & 8" 16" makeover Part One

[Fastracer73]

This is just another thread about the outstanding Porsche Fuchs wheels

Hope this is inspirational for any old tired Fuchs wheels out there.

Basis for the makeover. 7J16" ET23,3, 8J16" ET10,6 from a -81 930


First job was to remove eloxated coating in a glass media blaster.


Here is one blastered and one untouched.


Next few steps was to water sand the lip with grid 240 - 400 - 800 and ending with 1200 paper:


Then the lip was polished with aluminium polishing paste and cotton pad:


Next step was to mask up the polished lip and prime with a 2K primer:

[Fastracer73]

A nice coating of Guards red base paint to match the überwagen:


A even nicer coating with 2K clear paint:


Some black paint on the back:


The most exciting job at the end was removal of tape and newspapers:


Four finished old timer Fuchs wheels in custom coloration:


New Continental SportContact N1 tyres mounted:


Fitted to the 911 - The finished result was just as ordered The same operation was done to the center caps and the wheels got twenty new lightweight nuts:


Happy refinishing - Greetings from Norway

[Hotwatermusic]

Very nice! Just a word of warning though, the people on the group are going to eat you ALIVE for painting the lug nut holes. Just letting you know beforehand....

[Racerbvd]

Thanks for sharing, those look great!!!!

[Geronimo '74]

Great work!! Congratulations!
(+1 on the lugnut holes...)

[Fastracer73]

Originally Posted by Hotwatermusic

Very nice! Just a word of warning though, the people on the group are going to eat you ALIVE for painting the lug nut holes. Just letting you know beforehand....

The lug nut holes is grinded to bare metal - No need to eat me alive

[GothingNC]

Those look great !

Thanks for sharing the process

[Daviboy]

Nice job what size rubber did you put on? I have a set of 8 & 9's and am interested in new tyres.

[nardo911]

very nice

[Fastracer73]

Originally Posted by Daviboy

Nice job what size rubber did you put on? I have a set of 8 & 9's and am interested in new tyres.

Continental SportContact N1 tyres Front: 205/55/16 Rear: 225/50/16

[AUS911SC3]

Did the bead blaster remove the protective anodize layer?

[Fastracer73]

Originally Posted by AUS911SC3

Did the bead blaster remove the protective anodize layer?

Yes - with fine glass beads. The glass will not harm the aluminium surface.

[AUS911SC3]

They look good, however if the hardened anodize is removed then they will dent pit and scratch very very easily.Without the anodize forged aluminium is like butter and will not last..

[Fastracer73]

Originally Posted by AUS911SC3

They look good, however if the hardened anodize is removed then they will dent pit and scratch very very easily.Without the anodize forged aluminium is like butter and will not last..

You'll have to polish the lip reguarly with "auto glym - metal polish" or similar products. The aluminium is no more "butter" than when anodized. The early Fuchs came also in neutral aluminium from Porsche originally.

So naked aluminium needs more TLC than the matt anodization If you clearcoat, chrome or paint aluminium - the layer put on will sooner or later peel of when the layer gets punctured (because of the aluminium's oxidation speed). The anodization will not, just get worn off and get misscolored.

So no concerns - naked polished aluminium works just fine for Fuchs, BBS, O.Z, Zuffenhausen, Lindsey, Alton +++++

[bigel]

Originally Posted by Fastracer73

You'll have to polish the lip reguarly with "auto glym - metal polish" or similar products. The aluminium is no more "butter" than when anodized. The early Fuchs came also in neutral aluminium from Porsche originally.

So naked aluminium needs more TLC than the matt anodization If you clearcoat, chrome or paint aluminium - the layer put on will sooner or later peel of when the layer gets punctured (because of the aluminium's oxidation speed). The anodization will not, just get worn off and get misscolored.

So no concerns - naked polished aluminium works just fine for Fuchs, BBS, O.Z, Zuffenhausen, Lindsey, Alton +++++

Trying to resurrect this thread...

I'm planning to follow the blasting preparation, but plan to leave polished aluminum spokes (like the classic 911s).

Has anyone out there done such a restoration?

If so what measurements did you use for the polished spoke dimensions?

Much obliged...

[vtdriver]

Originally Posted by Fastracer73

The lug nut holes is grinded to bare metal - No need to eat me alive

What is the best method for grinding new paint out of the lug nut holes?

[will hung]

Originally Posted by bigel

Trying to resurrect this thread...

I'm planning to follow the blasting preparation, but plan to leave polished aluminum spokes (like the classic 911s).

Has anyone out there done such a restoration?

If so what measurements did you use for the polished spoke dimensions?

Much obliged...

People have. Don't worry too much about measurements for the pedals, as they were dipped at the factory. I like the technique used in this link. Very DIY friendly.

Restore Fuchs Wheels DIY | Featured Cars | The Motoring Journal

[M0nster]

Great job they look great, the car too! Congrats!

[cmcfaul]

High heat paint or special automotive paint?

Chris

[bigel]

Originally Posted by will hung

People have. Don't worry too much about measurements for the pedals, as they were dipped at the factory. I like the technique used in this link. Very DIY friendly.

Restore Fuchs Wheels DIY | Featured Cars | The Motoring Journal

Thanks much, it does look like great technique.