DIY wheel resto

[NicBowman]

My S3 wheels looked a bit knackered, pitting through the lacquer. Not wanting to spend any more money I removed the lacquer with Nitromors, (avoiding the black bits), cut the pits out with 400 grade wet and dry than polished back with 000 wire wool followed by Solvol Autosol and a polishing mop. The effect is amazingly good. 70's Wolfrace were always unlacquered, so I presume they should stay reasonably shiny. Takes about 2 hours a wheel - the only drawack so far!

Nic

[BERGS2]

Glad someone else has tried this!

tyres off I take it?

[WildfireS3]

I did it on my Mini wheels. I would lacquer them though. You may lose some shine though.

[M@H]

nice one.. now just smear a thin layer of vaseline all over them and they'll stay good as new.

[NicBowman]

Tyres on, seemed to be okay.

Not sure about the vaseline!

[kentishS2]

NicBowman said:

Tyres on, seemed to be okay. Not sure about the vaseline!

Surely, dirt and brake dust would stick rather well to vaseline!

I did two of my Audi TT wheels (after some kerbing) and I use some aluminium paint and it gave a superb finish but it does need a final coat of lacquer to give it a shine.

I have a scrape on my V6S wheel now after an impatient bus driver forced me into a kerb, so I'll probably have a go at these sometime too.

>> Edited by kentishS2 on Thursday 12th August 17:24

[WildfireS3]

That's the idea, same as wheel wax, the dirt sticks to it rather than the wheels. Then you just wash it off afterwards. Not too good if you use the car everyday, in constant rain.

[M@H]

NicBowman said:

Not sure about the vaseline!

...trust me on this one.