Fuchs Restoration

[911M491]

I finally restored my wheels (Fuchs 7x16 and 9x16 for '88 911M491) which had been chromed. I spent considerable amounts of time on this forum learning about the trials and tribulations of this task and studying photos. I learned a lot from those who have tried this as well as from the experts. I finally took on the task after repeated warnings and verbal abuse from my friends.

The wheels are original Fuchs from April of '88 (date stamped). 7s and 9s by 16 mounted on a 911 factory Turbo Look Carrera Cabriolet, Black ( some would say a rare car ) The wheels were chromed I assumed by either the dealer or the initial owner. The wheels had begun to flake on every wheel, some worse than others and in particular badly on the rims. This was not only unsightly but there were some areas that were bubbling. These areas were the worst because of what was happening to the aluminum under the chrome plating. These wheels were a real mess and would be a shame and expensive to lose to corrosion or for any reason.

The plan was to return the wheels to what was probably original: Polished rims and black centers. The overall plan for the car is to keep it as stock as possible.

So here are restoration steps

Step one: Strip chrome
Step two: Polish rims to a high gloss (looked almost like a mirror chrome finish). Also remove as much pitting as possible without distorting or sanding too deep. Centers were dressed lightly to remove any dings or pitting.
Step three: Anodize - clear. This resulted in a polished satin "cloudy" appearance exactly like an original finished reference wheel provided by a friend. I was afraid that the clear anodize would result in a high gloss polished look like chrome similar to what the rims looked like before anodizing but it didn't.
Step four: tape off polished rims and stem holes
Step five: scuff centers with scuffing pad, wipe down with degreaser and blow clean.
Step six: spray light coat of VHT black satin on inside, back, centers and caps.
Step seven: spray multiple coats (10 mins apart) and dry for 3 hrs
Step eight: remove tape and clean any leakage and lug bolt holes with lacquer thinner.
Step nine: allow to cure (couple days) then mount tires, balance, mount to car and torque.

Considering what I started with and how they look now, I am very impressed with the outcome. I could not not have done it without the input from this forum and the friendly prodding. I also could not afford the cost of the known service providers who also gave me inspiration to go it on my own.

I would like to offer this wheel restoration service to forum members. Let me know if you are interested.

Let me know what you think and if you have questions about the steps I took to bring these Fuchs back to life.

Here's the car before I began the restoration process:


The Chrome's been stripped and the rim has been polished to a mirror finish:




Model number:


Fuchs date stamp:


Here are the finished products!

[roblav]

Two comments.... avoid chromed wheels and don't use VHT paint. You need something that would take more road rash abuse (well, at least for my purposes!). Although not perfectly matching, the PPG black satin epoxy primer would work great.

I've done this a few times too, and it is a pain.

[Eric_Shea]

Agree on the chrome. He did the right thing by removing it. I saw those wheels, they look great.

Rob, did heat treat your VHT? Wondering if that affects the durability... 200 deg. for 1 hr.

[roblav]

Eric, back in the late 70's and 80's I did this and used a VHT paint but did not apply heat. They looked nice but tended to scratch and pit easily. Fortunately (or unfortunately!), I did not keep my cars for more than a year or two. I've used the PPG epoxy (mix type and need compressed air and a gun) to paint various pieces on the racecars, and that stuff looks nice (if flowed correctly) and holds up like nothing I've ever seen, including powdercoat.

Now that I have a 911 again, I'm going the opposite direction with my wheels and removing all the paint. What I've noticed is that the 84 16" Fuchs do not have the smooth surfaces that my old 15" flats and dishes had. Looks like they used the forging dies a few too many times!

[Eric_Shea]

Yup... Noticed that on the later wheels as well. I don't think they cared because the centers would be painted vs. polished.

I used a heat paint (not VHT which is why I asked) with good results years back but I cured it. It dulled it slightly but, after the factory vasoline treatment they looked stock. Tough as nails.

[Arne2]

I'd be interested in knowing who did the anodizing, and the details on the clear finish. I'd love to have mine re-anodized, but no metal finishing shops around here will talk to me about doing wheels.

[911M491]

Thanks for the interest, replies and suggestions

Arne2 - I am using local anodizers in the Salt Lake Valley. Anodizers can be particular about their service, product and the results. My suggestion is to look in your yellowpages and ask around. If you are still having trouble lets talk. PM. I'd be happy to handle the process here for you.

roblav - Thanks for the tip about chrome. Just happened that they were already chromed on a car/model/color/options that I had been looking for. They looked ok when I bought the car in '05 but they quickly turned bad as this is a daily driver in all conditions. I will closely watch the paint for durability. This brand came highly recommended for its color, finish and durability.

Eric_Shea - thanks for your help and suggestions. My wheels look great and I feel a lot better about them and I have you to thank!

[SilberUrS6]

I have some comments and questions.

I think you did a good job on those - especially the polish part. Looks nice.

I have a set of Fuchs that I am taking the paint off, and have noticed some interesting things:

1. - The 951 8x16 wheels have a slightly different petal look from the 911 9x16 petals. I don't think it'll be noticeable from 10 feet away (normal viewing distance), but for a good presentation I'll want to do something about it. Also, the ano coating on the petals seems to be mottled. Again, you have to be looking for it to see it at 10ft., but it should be addressed. How does one address this?

2. - I like the look of RSR wheels, and could paint them for that effect, but I don't want to do that. I would rather have them bead blasted and then painted with the black. Can you do that? OK, how about an overall brushed aluminum look? I am assuming a re-ano after prepping the wheels with the "brushed" look.

[megerian]

My car looks almost identical to yours, and coincidentally also has chromed Fuchs that were on the car when I bought it. I expect that I will eventually have them redone.

As an unrelated side question - that looks like a "Turbo" badge on the back of the car, is it?

[vickcraw]

I have a set of cup wheels from a 993 that need redoing. How did you remove chrome?

[kugelfischer]

Can you comment on your chrome removal process? I've been told that this is kind of harsh for the wheels and results in them needing to be heat treated to bring them back to proper hardness.

[911M491]

SilberUrS6- I am not sure about the different petal appearances on your 8's. Do you have pictures?

The mottled look on the anodizing might have something to do with how the wheels were prepped for anodizing. Or perhaps what other items were anodized at the same time with them. I had the same concern before I had them done. Mine look great! Do you have pictures of the mottled wheels?

The RSR look is definitely attractive. I assume you are speaking of the polished rim and satin edge. This can be done with anodizing and paint or better yet I am told with a two step anodizing like the originals were done according to the experts. It can be done and has been. Do you a picture of what you want it to look like?

I'm not sure about the bead blasting process. Perhaps as one of the prepping steps.

An overall brushed aluminum look can also be achieved in an anodizing process. Do you have a picture example to share?

Megerian - It is a Turbo badge. Previous owner(s) or clown put it on there. Probably the same one to chrome the wheels. It has been changed to a Carrera badge.

Vickcraw- The chrome removal (stripping) process is a chemical process performed by a local chrome shop. I think they did a nice job.

Kugelfischer - I guess any process other than sitting in a box in a closet can be harsh. The chrome and aluminum mixed with road grim and chemicals and salt (brine) was very harsh on my wheels. So much that the chrome was peeling, chipping and bubbling off. Do you know what the original proper harness is exactly and what original process is used to heat them to the hardness spec you are referring to?

[jdbunda]

I have a set of wheels that have failing chrome also. I have debated sending them off for refurbishment versus trying to do some of the work myself. Thanks for posting, nice to see it is possible to get good results!

[911M491]

jdbunda- I fought with the decision too for over 3 years. I came to the conclusion that if I did nothing the wheels would be ruined and economically irreplaceable. Anything would be better than this. Porsche 101 gives a great description of restoring an anodized (or not) wheel yourself. The reader is warned not to take on the task lightly. Elbow grease and meticulous attention, a new hand and all. The project does not get into chroming or more importantly chrome removal. So I ventured out to figure out how to do it. Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to do them for you.

[fintstone]

I realize that chroming Fuchs draws the ire of the Porsche crowd. On the other hand, I bought my '89 with perfect chromed fuchs that haven't a flaw and have been that way for years. While I realize that others might remove the chrome, I am loathe to. I cannot imagine that there is any problem with street use.

BTW, you did a great job on those wheels.

[911M491]

Flinstone - I agree with your assessment about chrome and the Porsche crowd. The chrome was a look that appealed to some in the '80's and still does today. Nothing wrong with that. If your wheels look great and you like them why change? BUT...What if your chrome was peeling and pitting like mine were? What if your wheels looked terrible from whatever cause? What would you do?
a. nothing
b. rechrome
c. strip, polish, anodize, centers black
d. strip, polish, anodize, centers black with polished petals
e. strip, polish (all), anodize
f. something else

Maybe this should be my next poll.

What happened to your '74 3.0?

[megerian]

Chiming in again, my wheels look similar to the original photo, with chrome outer rims and petals. The chrome is about 9/10 in terms of appearance, but if I could have them any way I want, I would choose option d from your choices above. So it really depends on how good/bad the chrome is, and how much someone would charge me for option d.

[911M491]

Hi Megerian

Option d would be $250 per wheel plus shipping

[saxen]

i would like my 7x16 and 8x16 fuchs done- i would like the scratches removed and the whole wheel PD black. that would be great