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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Bead Blasting Fuchs

Posted by: bigkensteele Sep 22 2017, 09:30 PM

Does anyone know firsthand what the results will be? Will it just bounce right off the hard anodized surface, or will it look like bead-blasted aluminum.

I have two sets of Fuchs that I want to end up looking similar to an RSR finish. My thought was to bead, blast them, paint the black parts and the clear them.

One set is 951 and has already had the anodizing removed and is part way polished. The other set is a bone stock, but tired set of 911 16s with black painted centers.

So the question is, will they look similar, or do I need to strip the anodizing before blasting?

Posted by: burton73 Sep 22 2017, 10:04 PM

Shown is one of my 15in 4 lug Fuchs that was restored by Al Read. I wanted the factory look. Al told me that he removed the anodizing and then polished the wheel and then re anodized the wheel and then taped the paddle and glass bedded it.

So I thing the RSR finish is something like that. This wheel has been a spare in the front trunk and never run on my car. I hope this helps you.

Bob B
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Posted by: porschetub Sep 23 2017, 12:19 AM

QUOTE(bigkensteele @ Sep 23 2017, 03:30 PM) *

Does anyone know firsthand what the results will be? Will it just bounce right off the hard anodized surface, or will it look like bead-blasted aluminum.

I have two sets of Fuchs that I want to end up looking similar to an RSR finish. My thought was to bead, blast them, paint the black parts and the clear them.

One set is 951 and has already had the anodizing removed and is part way polished. The other set is a bone stock, but tired set of 911 16s with black painted centers.

So the question is, will they look similar, or do I need to strip the anodizing before blasting?


Only from my experience,the anodizing is pretty tough ...not sure it will bead blast off,it sands off fairly easily with wet and dry sandpaper however one thing I noticed was where I did a curbing repair the alloy never corroded with the anodizing off and was hardly noticeable,these are very good rims IMO.
You have 951 rims....lucky guy,I myself like the RSR look but to me the silver (?) areas look like a cloudy low sheen anodizing or raw blasted finish and clear finish don't really know what the wheel guys do to get this ????.
Maybe not really a DIY confused24.gif

Posted by: Mark Henry Sep 23 2017, 06:58 AM

It won't blast it clean off, but it will damage the anodizing.
The only correct way to remove the anodizing, without going into the parent metal, is a week sodium hydroxide (common lye, some toilet bowl cleaners, etc.) solution.

Posted by: Krieger Sep 23 2017, 07:36 AM

I like the look of glass beaded aluminum. I would want to know if it is a pain to keep clean. My 6x16 Fuchs are polished out and take less than a minute each to clean.

Posted by: cuddyk Sep 23 2017, 09:36 AM

I've been experimenting with a rough spare. Used oven cleaner to remove the anodizing, polished the petals, masked them off and sofa blasted the matte parts. Came out pretty good. The soda blasting def was a gentle way with lots of control to get the effect.

I think when I attempt the 4 good rims, I'll have a shop remove the anodizing professionally. Tough to get consistent removal without pitting at home

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Posted by: Jett Sep 23 2017, 09:56 AM

Al Reed has restored two sets, straightened When needed) and restored.[attachmentid=621313] [attachmentid=621313]


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Posted by: flmont Sep 23 2017, 11:52 AM

whats Al's fee these days to refinish rims these days..?? FM

Posted by: Mark Henry Sep 23 2017, 11:59 AM

QUOTE(cuddyk @ Sep 23 2017, 11:36 AM) *

I've been experimenting with a rough spare. Used oven cleaner to remove the anodizing, polished the petals, masked them off and sofa blasted the matte parts. Came out pretty good. The soda blasting def was a gentle way with lots of control to get the effect.

I think when I attempt the 4 good rims, I'll have a shop remove the anodizing professionally. Tough to get consistent removal without pitting at home

Attached Image

Search my name for RSR finish fuchs, I show you how to get pro results at home removing the anodizing. Hard part is finding a plastic container, rest is super easy.

Posted by: mepstein Sep 23 2017, 12:09 PM

QUOTE(flmont @ Sep 23 2017, 01:52 PM) *

whats Al's fee these days to refinish rims these days..?? FM

$250-300 each. Plus shipping.

Posted by: cuddyk Sep 23 2017, 01:28 PM

QUOTE(Mark Henry @ Sep 23 2017, 01:59 PM) *

QUOTE(cuddyk @ Sep 23 2017, 11:36 AM) *

I've been experimenting with a rough spare. Used oven cleaner to remove the anodizing, polished the petals, masked them off and sofa blasted the matte parts. Came out pretty good. The soda blasting def was a gentle way with lots of control to get the effect.

I think when I attempt the 4 good rims, I'll have a shop remove the anodizing professionally. Tough to get consistent removal without pitting at home

Attached Image

Search my name for RSR finish fuchs, I show you how to get pro results at home removing the anodizing. Hard part is finding a plastic container, rest is super easy.


thanks mark. Is there a way to visually tell when the anodizing is off? Wouldn't want to keep them in solution longer than needed.

Posted by: BK911 Sep 23 2017, 03:10 PM

Here's a 14" fuch blasted and clear coated.
I like the look, depending on the color of the car.

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Posted by: Mark Henry Sep 24 2017, 10:33 AM

QUOTE(cuddyk @ Sep 23 2017, 03:28 PM) *


Is there a way to visually tell when the anodizing is off? Wouldn't want to keep them in solution longer than needed.

My thread that explains stripping.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=191978

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