FUCHS Wheel Question

[Bob Ashlock]

I'm trying to resolve a question about the 14" Fuchs on my '76 912E. These wheels appear to have never been painted black. They are just plain anodize (verified with an Ohmeter) and the polished area of the wheels is unusual. The polish is only on the outer lip of the rim (doesn't wrap around inside) and only the top surface of the petals is polished (again, no wrap down the sides of the petals as would be normal when the 'lower' portions are painted black). The un-polished areas are fairly rough. Any opinions about this? Is it possible this was an option that could be ordered? I have never seen them like this before. I don't think the look is bad, but I don't like the stained/dirty appearance on the rough areas and I have found nothing that will clean it satisfactorily.

[GeorgeK]

Bob,
The rough/polished areas seem rather std fare for the wheel in question, i.e. that can very well be how the factory finished them.

As for the lack of any paint, be aware that some fuchs wheels are so painted that you can actually remove all paint from them, without *any* trace left of the presence of paint. Not too frequent, but it happens. There also is the possibility that it was made without paint in the first place.

For instance, I have an original parts catalogue that displays the fuchs Wheel without paint as an option. See below.

[Bob Ashlock]

Thanks George, I think your catalog photos answer my basic question.... appears they did offer them that way.

[Bob Ashlock]

And, after trying all kinds of household chemicals, I finally just sprayed them with Eagle-1 wheel cleaner (the kind with the nasty hydrofluoric acid) and went after it with a stiff parts cleaning brush. After 3-passes they started shaping up pretty good. Got rid of that 'built-in-dirty' look.