Fuch wheel restoration questions

[mac73s]

I have a set of 6X15s that need to be restored (a good deal of the black paint has worn off), but also a few 1/4" long cuts/gouges one of the polished spokes on two of the wheels. If advisable, what is the safest abrasive (i.e. soda blasting, etc.) to use to bring the entire wheel back to new before repainting, or is even that media too harsh?. Also, thoughts please on the best way to deal with the several gouges I have - less than a 1/16th of an inch keep. Lastly, are there templates available for painting the fronts to make the polished spokes? Thank you!

[mac73s]

Anyone?? Thank you!

[kentf14]

I can't comment on the abrasives question. Essentially, you'll want to buff out the finish after whatever you use. Removing the gouges will take some work obviously, depending on how deep they are. Lastly, haven't heard of anyone making a mask to paint the wheels. AFIAK, even the big wheel restoration shops mask off the spokes by hand. There was a nice thread a while back showing a method that replicated the "dip" process.
Here are a few threads for your enjoyment
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...s-dummies.html
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ish/fuchs2.htm
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ish/fuchs1.htm
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...of-Fuchs-Paint

Good luck! (Or just send them out to Harvey. It will be money well spent and you'll have essentially a new set of wheels, gouge free, crack checked, trued... And refinished)

[Merv]

I used 3M ScotchBrite Ultra Fine (Grey). First, I removed most of the scratches and marks on the wheels (here your preference for refurbishment versus restoration pertains) with the pads and/or some Wet and Dry sand paper and then 'brushed' the petals with the ScotchBrite pads in the directions shown in the above links. Spinning the wheel on the car helps with the rim finish. I used a little yellow hand soap on the 'pads initially and finished with the dry pad for the 'frosted' look. Later a wipe over with a decent stainless steel cleaner affords some protection.

Painting the black sections is time consuming but insulation tape is best for masking on the curves. Make sure you clean the wheel very thoroughly first or you will get 'spots' on the paint. I used a spray matt enamel. Place/tape a coin over the stud/bolt holes to keep the paint out of there.

Harvey's work is outstanding but he is a long way from Australia ... And I wanted good refurbished wheels, at this stage. Will post some pics later.

I also found this useful:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...results-4.html

[mac73s]

I can't comment on the abrasives question. Essentially, you'll want to buff out the finish after whatever you use. Removing the gouges will take some work obviously, depending on how deep they are. Lastly, haven't heard of anyone making a mask to paint the wheels. AFIAK, even the big wheel restoration shops mask off the spokes by hand. There was a nice thread a while back showing a method that replicated the "dip" process.
Here are a few threads for your enjoyment
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...s-dummies.html
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ish/fuchs2.htm
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...ish/fuchs1.htm
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...of-Fuchs-Paint

Good luck! (Or just send them out to Harvey. It will be money well spent and you'll have essentially a new set of wheels, gouge free, crack checked, trued... And refinished)

Kent and Merv - thanks a million for the replies - very helpful. Who is Harvey should I decide to go that route (I'm new to the forum). Thank you again. Steve

[BOYER73S]

Harvey Weidman (Weidmans Wheels) and you must be new!!

Oroville CA is his location but won't happen in a hurry he is in high demand.

[jameshtaylor]

the tape to use is available from decent auto paint sources and is designed for pinstriping. It's blue, very narrow, made by 3M and maybe others. Use it for the edge to prevent bleeding underneath, then masking tape for everything else.

[Fishcop]

Welcome to the forum Mac

You haven't indicated whether you want a factory or concours type restoration, or 'awesome driver' restoration

To do them back to factory requires anodizing the wheels after corrections and polish - this is not a back-yard process (I've tried ). As others above have indicated, you can get your wheels looking fabulous with light abrasives and elbow grease and quality paint; however Harvey Weidman is the undisputed champion of the correct restoration of fuchs. Do a search on his name and you'll see the differences

[mac73s]

Welcome to the forum Mac

You haven't indicated whether you want a factory or concours type restoration, or 'awesome driver' restoration

To do them back to factory requires anodizing the wheels after corrections and polish - this is not a back-yard process (I've tried ). As others above have indicated, you can get your wheels looking fabulous with light abrasives and elbow grease and quality paint; however Harvey Weidman is the undisputed champion of the correct restoration of fuchs. Do a search on his name and you'll see the differences

Thank you to everyone - you all provided prompt and helpful replies. Yes, I'm new to the Forum...made my first postings a few weeks ago after rescuing a 73 S. I am unsure of the direction I want to go re concours restoration or high-quality refurbishment as I like to keep things as original as possible and this car's condition would easily allow such. I am still doing an inventory of parts and just posted a question with photos re a few mysteries I have already uncovered. Thanks again!

[Fishcop]

Thank you to everyone - you all provided prompt and helpful replies. Yes, I'm new to the Forum...made my first postings a few weeks ago after rescuing a 73 S. I am unsure of the direction I want to go re concours restoration or high-quality refurbishment as I like to keep things as original as possible and this car's condition would easily allow such. I am still doing an inventory of parts and just posted a question with photos re a few mysteries I have already uncovered. Thanks again!

Then don't rush into anything. Sometimes 'patina' and originality are better left well alone if the car is in every other way clean and complete...

Posting lots of pictures is good, it let's everybody bombard you with unsolicited opinions But there's alway nuggets of gold amongst it!