Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: geoffr70 on 12 September 2010, 00:37:17

Title: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 September 2010, 00:37:17
Hello, the person who I bought my omega off had scuffed all four wheels, not too badly but noticeable all the same. I thought about a diy refurb as a little experiment. A thorough clean, lightly sand, fill and spray. Has anyone done this before? Any hints or tips or recommendations of good products to use? Thanks
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: razzo on 13 September 2010, 07:26:06
is it just a tidy up or total refurb ?
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: Agemo on 13 September 2010, 08:38:58
Alloy wheels are just metal things that are painted, so you just have to fill and rub down where needed, then apply the right paint. In your case you will be doing all four wheels, they will only have to match each other, not the manufacturers colour. Most wheel re-furb places use Star Silver. Either do the lot in one go, or just one at a time, depends on your situation. You have nothing to lose.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: scimmy_man on 13 September 2010, 15:39:22
Yea as Clarkson says "what could possibly go wrong?"

just make sure you degrease them well first and spray them.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: Andy B on 13 September 2010, 16:17:37
I 'relocated' a large (5" or 6" dia) thrust bearing from work to turn the wheel on when I did my Senator's rims, that way you can keep your angle of attack constant while you turn the rim.
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: Agemo on 13 September 2010, 17:39:42
Nice idea Andy, I have thought of using an old Dansette (MP3 players are too small)  ;)
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: shane1000 on 13 September 2010, 19:27:20
done this before; i would recomend a "mop" sander to give a flat surface, starting with an abravise paper and working down to fine paper (depending on how deep the scuffs are). get yourself some lint cloth and white spirit and totaly clean down before spraying as any (ANY) bits left could ruin a possible perfect finish. plenty of thin even coats as oposed to one thick coat. after spraying main coats(4 usually gives a good finish)  remove masking tape before paint dry's and the paint will find its own level and not leave rough edges. and would recomend rubbing compound rather than t cut before lacquer.  :y
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: Andy B on 13 September 2010, 19:30:21
Quote
Nice idea Andy, I have thought of using an old Dansette (MP3 players are too small)  ;)

 ;D  ;D  ;D ;D  ;D
Good idea, I never thought of a powered verion!  ;D  ;)
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 13 September 2010, 21:09:27
for refurbishment sanding is the critical and hardest part.. it requires excessive work especially if there are deep scratches..and if not done properly you will get flaking paint soon..
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: Malcolm_D on 13 September 2010, 21:24:16
Did a set of second hand Arrakis alloys for my Volvo S80, a time consuming job but I was pleased with the result. As mentioned the are just metal parts so its very similar to doing bodywork, spend the time getting it right and they will look good. If the tyres are off it is a little easier but not essential, check inside as there is often work to do there as well.  ;)
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: unlucky mark mv6 on 13 September 2010, 22:21:15
Make sure you scotch the inside of the rim,or paint will start to flake. :y
Title: Re: DIY wheel refurbishment
Post by: geoffr70 on 13 September 2010, 23:50:47
Thanks all, just another job to add to the list. It gets smaller, but then somehow gets bigger! :-/