Annodized wheels--->Polished?

BKOMAR · BKOMAR's Garage

I have a nice set of 16" Fuchs that are still annodized but have some curb rash through the annodizing. My question is: is it difficult to cut through the anodizing to just polish the lips? I have Mothers wheel polish and plenty of elbow grease...but I am wondering if it is going to be worth it and/ or take forever? I sure like the look of the polished lips (that kinda sounds funny...get your mind outta the dirt Brian). Is the care any easier/ harder for polished/ annodized? Thanks, Brian

pjv911 · pjv911's Garage

Sandpaper has a hard time cutting through. Forget mothers.

Shadetree930 · 08-25-2002, 04:13 PM

There was an extensive thread just recently on the polishing issue. Do a search on mother's

Moses · 08-25-2002, 04:25 PM

Lots of info here:

Cleaning fuchs

Apparently my car is a freak, as it came with polished (not chrome, not satin) lips from the factory. I love the look and they are incredibly easy to maintain.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Actually not a freak at all, it was extremely common at the time for dealers to have rims polished while car was on showroom floor and charge extra $ for this "improvement".

As for removing clear coat, a mechanic once told me that oven cleaner would do the trick, but then he told me a lot of other wierd things as well, so if you do this and get a bad result, don't come after me. I would call a wheel refinishing expert such as Harvey Weidman, (530) 534-7903, or Al Reed, (714) 632-3907. Good luck!

KFC911 · 03:34 AM

Hi Brian, It turns out, that I'm in the middle of a similar project that I began over the weekend. I decided to sand/polish the outer lips only (which had some road rash/scratches), leaving the rest of the outer rim intact. It's a job! I used a small electric detail sander, dry sanding w/ 60 grit (to remove most of the anodized coating), followed by 100, then 150, then 220 (dry) using the sander. I then wet sanded by hand w/ 600, 1000 and 2000, and followed up w/ Mothers's. Removing the initial coating w/ the 60 grit was very time consuming, and it's going to take me maybe 6-7 hours per wheel. I'm just about half-way there, but I have completed one wheel, and it really looks nice! It's a lot of work, but the results do look great imo....I'll try to post a pic later. I can't imagine the amount of time it would take to strip the complete wheel...just the outer 1/2 inch was a chore! Hope this helps...KC

ps. Check a similar question I asked a few days ago titled:
"Removing scratches on anodized Fuchs", or something like that...

GeorgeK · 08-26-2002, 06:35 AM

An easier method:
Lift up one rear wheel (both if you have LSD...in the gearbox, that is).
Start the car and put the tranny in 4th.
You have a nice turning wheel, to which you hold the sandpaper.
BTW, with this method, I wouldn't go rougher that 150 grit sandpaper.
It also helps a lot if the tire is off the rim.
I have one pair of 9X16 done this way, looks very good.
GeorgeK

speeder · speeder's Garage

George, That's very clever, but somehow hilarious at the same time. "Your Porsche can also be used as a lathe", could be a new tech article.

island911 · 08-26-2002, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeK
. .
BTW, with this method,. . .It also helps a lot if the tire is off the rim.. . .

I imagine it would help even-more w/ the valve stem off

Moses · 08-26-2002, 01:41 PM

Wheel weights! D-OH!!!

89911 · 08-26-2002, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeK
An easier method:
Lift up one rear wheel (both if you have LSD...in the gearbox, that is).
Start the car and put the tranny in 4th.
You have a nice turning wheel, to which you hold the sandpaper.
BTW, with this method, I wouldn't go rougher that 150 grit sandpaper.
It also helps a lot if the tire is off the rim.
I have one pair of 9X16 done this way, looks very good.
GeorgeK

How long before the carbon monoxide took effect

GeorgeK · 08-26-2002, 09:37 PM

"How long before the carbon monoxide took effect?"
Well, depends on how small the garage is... (do that in open air!)
Actually, it helps neighborhoud relationships to do that when the neighbours are not there. And it is not that noisy, as there is no load on the engine.
GeorgeK

KFC911 · 03:42 AM

Hi George! Since I've still got two more wheels to go, I was contemplating your method, and was wandering approximately how long it took for each wheel? Even w/ no load on the motor, are there any issues w/ having the car idle for an extended period of time? Thanks...KC

GeorgeK · 08-27-2002, 03:50 AM

Hi KC,
It took me about 45 min-1 hour per wheel to do the outer lip (the last 1/2 inch before the tire). They were anodised with a few nasty marks. I didn't go rougher than 150-grit, then extra fine steel wool with polishing paste, then some polishing compound with a cotton rag.
The car was a '83 944, the only car without LSD I had. The fan would come on every 10-15 minutes, no problem.
BTW, if you have a friend at a tire shop, the balancing machine is a great lathe...
GeorgeK