What finish is on my Fuchs? Images provided
 

An unfortunate incident at a local tire shop :( : one of the wheels on my 80 SC suffered a deep gash on the silver portion of the outer lip (sorry no image of damaged wheel; it is still at the shop).

The tire shop has agreed to send the wheel to a local wheel shop to repair the damage, but I don't think they have a clue about how to finish the wheel to make it like the other wheels.

I'm no wheel expert, so I don't know what type of finish is on the outer lip of my wheels, so I would appreciate advice from the Pelicans :)

Please see images below of one of the remaining, undamaged wheels. What type of finish is on the outer lip of this wheel?

Yes, the tires have some severe dry-rot, hence the trip to the tire shop ;)

Thanks in advance!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275217900.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275218003.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275218204.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275218341.jpg

Afaik anodized. Don't think they will be able to repair it.

I concur on the anodized finish. I would send it to Al Reed or Harvey Weidman for refinishing.

Another issue you are going to have no matter who repairs your wheel or how.....you will have 3 wheels that match and one odd ball.....

Yes you have anodized and I agree with above members...I doubt local wheel place will be able to put correct finish on it.....you can have it polished locally a lot cheaper most likely...all 4 of mine were polished for about $400....the cost to repair one would have to be added....but you might want to mention that to the shop....you had 4 matching wheels when you took it too them...you want 4 matching wheels when finished...they might not want to pay the price to anodize all 4.....but might go for the cost to polish all 4....you can paint the centers with rustoleum for a very durable finish...this one was done with semi gloss black for a little more gloss than satin.....satin is a dead on match for factory color
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275224124.jpg

Excellent advice, thanks everyone.

I thought that maybe they were anodized...

Thanks Don - good point - of course I want four matching wheels.

Some more questions:

What would be the approx price per wheel for polish?

What process does Al Reed use for refinishing? Approx price per wheel?

Anodized. There is only ONE shop in North America with the expertise to restore this wheel and have it match the rest: Weidman Wheels in Oroville, California. Repair is about $300 for welding the gash, resurfacing the whe weld, stripping, prepping, reanodizing and painting the wheel. Plus shipping.

When I go into a tire shop, I make sure to tell them that each of my deep sixes is $1200/ea to replace - they never screw up.

Thanks,

I did indeed tell the shop that the wheels were over $1,000/ea to replace, and they said "no problem" then they gave the job to a newbie who gashed the rim. Their fault, and they know it.

I want the wheel back the way it was (anodized), rather than polished as I'm thinking anodized is worth more. Yes / no?

100% correct

Thank you Kenik,

All: If I get the damaged wheel re-anodized by Weidman Wheels will it match the other (original) wheels?

How does Al Reed refinish wheels?

Al Reed also anodizes, but Harvey Weidman is the master.

Ok, thanks,

If I just get damaged wheel anodized, will it match the other wheels?

Probably not, almost all types of refinishing, automotive, residential, and commercial it is very difficult to replicate the condition/appearance of the existing finish, but it should pass for most eyes if done properly.

David

Any idea of the cost of having one wheel refinished (anodized) by Al Reed?

I have had several sets of wheels done by Al with a pair of deep sixes currently at their shop, my price as of others will differ, call him or Diane and see, it should be well under $200 for a complete refinish per wheel.

David

Get in touch with Al Reed Polishing Inc in Anaheim, CA.

What size is the rim? If it is a 6 or 7 it might in fact be cheaper to buy a new used rim.

Thanks David - is this the price for re-anodizing? Seems quite reasonable.

The 'clear' is anodized. The whole wheel is clear anodized.

The black is painted over the clear anodizing (by dipping the wheel) at the factory .

The black cap is anodized black.

Polishing enough to get rid of a gash will remove the anodizing in that spot and the color will be different.

Probably cannot do it locally.

Thanks for the info tcar.

Yes, I have confirmed that it cannot be re-anodized locally.

So, it looks like I'll be sending the wheel to Al Reed or Harvey Weidman for refinishing.

No one in Canada that can do this eh?