polishing OZ wheels

[CHJ]

Is there a way of polishing out the white patina from around the rim bolts without splitting the rims and getting professionally refurbished?
I presume its the lacquer lifting? I was wondering if a dremmel polishing head and/or autosol metal polish might do the trick?

Any tips appreciated.
Cheers,
Chris

[hallsie]

I purchased the dremel polishing bits and the polishing soap, and the mops

Wouldnt touch the laquer

Stu

[Russell Mc]

To do a proper job you're going to have to remove all the lacquer. Paint stripper should shift it no probs or you can sand it down. Don't use too course a paper or you'll make more work to get them nice and shiny again. Send the lips off to be polished or have a go yourself. If they are mirror polished they will take some looking after but as long as you keep on top of it they will look fantastic for ages.
Im currently refurbing the OZ's for my Griff so will post some pics up showing the various stages.

[Dragon Wedge]

Chris

Had a very similar issue this last week. Somehow clattered and bent two rims last weekend. None of the leading regional specialists (South walers/Bristol) would touch them for refurb as apparently insurance cover for split rims hard to get(!). Was recommended to a company called Leptons in Swindon who can refurb split rims but have no experience of them.

To give you a benchmark - got the rims straightened beautifully by a local engineering company. Found a metal polisher who would work with complete wheel - charging me £30/wheel to polish the outer rim to remove remedial marks - roughly as far as the lip of the wheel where it turns up to the bolts. He reckoned a further £30/50 wheel to mirror polish the bolt flange and spokes - but would require the wheel presented split.

I am not sure I feel confident about splitting and reassembling the wheel - so look forward to any further comments advice on the forum.

I tried a Dremmel clone recently for polishing another project - disappointed with the result sand consumption rate of discs and pads. I know others who swear by them for all sorts of tasks.

Regards
EWAN

[JMF894]

These chaps look good. Spoke to them yesterday. Know their stuff. Check out the gallery.

http://www.fawheels.co.uk/home.html



Jimbo

[CHJ]

Okay, thank you for replies.
It looks like the dremel option is going to be a waste of time and money, so I'll not spend any money on that. My wheels are in good condition - think they have been refurbished before and the bolts have been replaced with stainless ones, but the white marks around the bolts do spoil them for me. Definitely interested in removing the lacquer at some point - look forward to seeing the pics of the griff wheel refurb.

Chris