How important is anodizing on Fuchs?
 

I am about to have some Fuchs wheels refinished. I want an OE appearance, which means satin black centers & anodized outers. I can ship them to a reputable refinisher to have them anodized & refinished to factory original specs, or I can have them done locally by a reputable company that cannot anozide.

The cost differential really comes down to shipping cost, so I will likely go with anodizing. However, I realize many Fuchs wheels are refinished without anodizing.

What are the advantages of anodized wheels on a car that is driven fewer than 3,000 miles a year, never in snow, etc.? This may be a different answer from when the cars were new, driven many miles, in all sorts of weather.

And, aside from appearance, do non-anodized wheels require more/different care to keep them looking great?

Finally, a related question...while I am strongly leaning toward anodized outer rims, tell me about polished outer rims (with black centers). I realize it is not an OE appearance, but do polished rims require more maintenance than anodized rims?

Thanks for your comments.

Anodizing leaves a coating that is extremely durable and very easy to maintain.
It is more scratch resistant than paint.
With the low milage you'll be doing, I doubt if you really need anodizing.
I would opt for it anyway, but that's my opinion.

Polishing outer rims looks nicer but will need more maintenance compared to anodizing or paint.
You'll need to regularly clean them.
A lot more tips can be found through the search function.

Doug,

If you choose to go with the polished approach, once polished they will overtime begin to fade or haze. However, elbow grease and a great product line MOthers mag cleaner or any good metal polish will bring them back. But, if you want them to look great for about 2 years with no work at all, you can try a product called Zoops. Ive been polishing aluminum for a long time. Everything from wheels, to intakes and manifolds. Lots of work, but worth it if you want that chrome like shine, the Zoops is great stuff and very durable. Its not a paint but actually a chemical overcoat that somehow treats the metal to avoid oxidation or fade. It will eventually fade over time and need to be reapplied.

Anodizing can be done in a number of 'colors'.

Black, bronze, clear, etc.

Stock SC/Carrera Fuchs had Black anodized centers and clear anodized rims.

When the black centers on mine were a bit faded, I painted the centers w/ Rust-Oleum Satin Black #7777. Perfect match.

Doug,

I think the way to answer this is to tell you that the anodic coating protects the aluminum from corrosion. Bare metal reacts with oxygen and the pH of your local rainwater to begin the corrosion process and I'd strongly recommend either re-anodizing them or having them painted.

Wheels that are polished or have no anodic coating need constant waxing for protection.

I don't mean to come across as argumentative, but as I understand it, the black centers were painted and not anodized.

that is correct, the black centers in Fuchs is paint.

powdercoated, no?

I had my wheels powdercoated. Black centers, clear over polished lips. Once I got used to how shiny they were, I really liked them. Still do two years later. Never done anything to them but wash regularly.

YMMV.

-e.

No, liquid paint dipped at the ******* factory.

Sherwood

PS: I meant to say Fuchs factory. I didn't realize the word "*******" was banned.

I checked and learned something. You're correct, and they were dipped after clear anodizing.

Anodizing (the part - wheel is the anode in the circuit) is just a process to make a thick oxidized layer on the surface of the aluminum to protect it from further oxidation.

Not a lot of work, but even a car that is only driven on nice weekend days will need polishing two or three times in a season.

Thanks everyone. You have given me the info I needed. I realized that anodizing protects against corrosion, but I wasn't sure how important it would be for me, with a car that is rarely driven & never on snowy/salty roads.

But it sounds like anodizing is better, if for no other reason than it will make it easier to keep the wheels looking great. Anodizing it is!

Thanks again!

However, not sure the resultant luster with an anodized clear finish is the effect you want. Check first.

Sherwood