Who can refinish early Fuchs, properly

Mark 69 911 · 04-03-2002, 09:11 PM

I saw the great article on Wheel Enhancement in last months
911 Porsche magazine. Looking at the refinished early Fuchs in the picture, well they looked somewhat dull to me, the spokes that is. My wheels are original and the spokes are a bit more shinny.
I'm not trying to split hairs, but I would like my wheels refinished to look like the factory did them.

I will not attempt to do this myself.

Recommendations on who can perform this task?

Thanks !

82SC · 04-03-2002, 09:23 PM

first off you have too many cars...that's not fair...especially the gullwing...

secondly...the nod for southern california goes to Al Reed's in Anaheim...Nobody get more recomendations then him...and from indepentant sources too...

Al Reed Specialty Polishing
3010 E Coronado St # A, Anaheim, CA 92806
Phone: (714) 632-3907

The recommendations came from people who use their cars everyday and such...you may get a different referral from the concours crowd...

it still is not fair that you have a gullwing...

MJ

Mark 69 911 · 04-03-2002, 09:39 PM

Thanks MJ !

About the Gullwing.

It only cost $4500.00 in 1969. It was a little rough.

I had vision.

But I passed on a 250 GTO for $26,000.00 and a 250 LM for $6500.00................guess I didn't have that much vision.

GeorgeK · 04-03-2002, 11:57 PM

Mark,
There is a point to consider there:
The anodisation on early Fuchs was originally nowhere near as shiny as it is now. The clear anodisation will give a slightly milky appearance, no matter what. The reason they are so shiny now is that they have benefited from 25+ years of rubbing, sunshine, cleaning and all processes that will slowly polish them.
I was fortunate enough to see for myself a set of new in the box 7X15R and a set of new in the box 9X15 RSR, and the shiny was not that shiny at all.
I have restored a lot of these, and within 4 to 5 years, the difference already shows in the shine. I guess that normal use brings out the shine.
GeorgeK

Jack Olsen · 12:14 AM

Double post.

Jack Olsen · 04-04-2002, 12:15 AM

Yes, the difference observed here (I think) is between anodized lips and polished ones. Fuchs alloys polish out very nicely, but I don't know what years (if any) polishing was a factory option. Anodization leaves a more matte-like finish, but it is (probably) more technically correct as a 'factory' finish.

Wheel Enhancement probably does as good a job as any refinisher in the country. That said, I go to Al Reed, who doesn't charge you the cost of a new wheel, basically, in order to refinish it. I would guess that Al Reed can anodize as well, but I've always had him polish the wheels for my car.

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

I have had wheel refinishing from Al Reed, and Wheel Enhancement (which I think is actually from Highland Plating, at least it used to be...).

I have also seen the work from Harvey Weidman, and I also have a set of 7R's and early deep 6's there right now (hoping to be finished by Cambria...).

All that being said....the best work for the best price is Al Reed...but it's not quite concours in the details...but the overall finish work is stunning. Harvey goes to the next step of finish level, and replicates the rougher finish on the down side of the paddles (where the paddle turn down into the wheel bottom) perfectly. Harvey can also replicate the rougher paddle finish of the RSR wheels....something that Al can't do. Harvey is much more money than Al....but Harvey does the finish details that the concours crowd wants.....but I can't fault at all the work that I received from Al on any of the multi sets of wheels he has done for me....

I prefer to work with Al and Harvey, as they own the shops and do much of their own work.

regards,
Eric

ras911 · ras911's Garage

I spent 700 dollars at wheel enhancement and am very pleased with the finish on the wheels. I wanted them as close as possible to original and they are close. Good Luck!

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Mark,

If you live in the SF Bay area, you might want to give
Wheel Techniques a call. They did some work on my
FISKE FM-10'S and I was extremely pleased with the work
and the the cost wasn't bad either.
While being there I noticed some nice looking FUCHS
that were polished and some that were painted they looked
pretty good to me.
they are located in CAMPBELL on Winchester Blvd.

Good Luck

Jorge (Targa Dude)

Jim T · 04-04-2002, 04:59 PM

I had my wheels done by Robert Woods, to factory configuration, looks great. Robert Woods later sold the company and it was renamed Wheel Enhancement, but I think Woods opened up another Woods Wheels, so I am not sure who is who anymore.

I also had some Fuchs painted black by Al Reed. Did a good job and was a pleasure to deal with. My buddy had his Fuchs painted by Al Reed and got a crappy job back. I mean REALLY bad, half gloss, half matte with some sand and hair thrown in the paint to boot. When he dared to complain he got no satisfaction, but a healty dose of 'tude.

I don't think Al Reed has the ability to restore Fuchs to the factory anodized condition. At least he didn't when I got my wheels done years ago.

Roland Kunz · 04-04-2002, 10:43 PM

Hello

You still can send them to the leftovers from the OEM and remake them original.

Grüsse

BTW when you browse old car nmagazines you will find people who sold 904 GTS Racecars for 5000 DM.

Grüsse

Soterik · Soterik's Garage

Al reed absolutely has the ability to finish to factory anodized specs as far as the anodizing and paint goes...and I have several sets to prove it.

The only thing that Al doesn't do VS Harvey or Wheel Enhancement is the type of finish on the down side of the spokes....and I have compared Al's To WE's side by side...no difference in anodizing.....

By the way, I once had a problem with Al.....sent them a set of 356 wheels to be blasted and painted. I didn't like the work....Al agreed....and I got a full credit.

Jim T...sorry about your buddy's experience, I guess even the best suppliers can have a few bad experiences.

A note on pricing....Al Reed charges $105 for a wheel to be completely stripped, blasted, polished, edges cleaned up, then fully anodized and painted backgrounds. Harvey Weidman is $175 per wheel for the current job they are doing for me...which is an RSR type of finish.

regards,
Eric

regards,
Eric

Jim T · 04-05-2002, 12:49 PM

Wow, $105 to anodize and paint Fuchs back to factory specs, that seems like a bargain!

When I had mine done 8 or 9 years ago by Woods, I think it was around $150 per wheel. At that time, Al said he could not do it.

Yeah, it was odd with my friend. I've dealt with Al Reed a few times and had nothing but good experiences. As you say, anyone can have a bad day, I guess.