What does everyone think? I just restored a set of 2ltr Fuchs, detailed them with satin black and polished the outer rim and pedals. I'm debating whether I should throw a clear coat on them...any words of wisdom?
Thanks

There's really no downside to clear coating if you can get it to stick.

The problem with polishing is that it leaves little upon which the clear can attach. If it doesn't stick, there's really no problem, but you'll have to strip it off again.

I tend to leave the polished aluminum bare and hit it with some polish once in a while.

I vote no clear. Just a few minutes per wheel several times a year with Mothers and they look great for quite a while.

QUOTE (914RS @ Nov 30 2005, 05:41 PM)

There's really no downside to clear coating if you can get it to stick. The problem with polishing is that it leaves little upon which the clear can attach. If it doesn't stick, there's really no problem, but you'll have to strip it off again. I tend to leave the polished aluminum bare and hit it with some polish once in a while.

2 more things, 1 being a down side. If you clear over satin black.....it's no longer satin. 2: Rock chips happen easier to repolish then to re-clear

OK Mark,

Let's see those wheels!

QUOTE (scotty b @ Nov 30 2005, 06:01 PM)

QUOTE (914RS @ Nov 30 2005, 05:41 PM) There's really no downside to clear coating if you can get it to stick. The problem with polishing is that it leaves little upon which the clear can attach.  If it doesn't stick, there's really no problem, but you'll have to strip it off again. I tend to leave the polished aluminum bare and hit it with some polish once in a while. 2 more things, 1 being a down side. If you clear over satin black.....it's no longer satin. 2: Rock chips happen easier to repolish then to re-clear

I had my 2L Fuchs polished and the webs powder coated black, then the entire wheel powder coated clear by Al Reed.

The black is definitely not satin with clear on top, but they look pretty damn good all the same. Al said the clear powder coat would not yellow over time, and that they will stay maintenance free if I just keep the brake dust off every once in a while. If you like, I'll post some pics for you tomorrow.

Gary,
here they are. Sweat equity: strip the paint off, wet sand up to 2000 removing all curb rash, polish, and detail with black satin--that's a lot of work!

I need a beer!

Great job Mark.

I hardly recognize them! Shall we trade back?

What about clear anodizing polished wheels?

I cleared a set of wheels a while back and they held up well, but they were not mirror polished. They were a factory machined wheel that was lightly buffed. The clear held up well but it would start to lift if you got a rock chip and it would turn yellow after some time.

For your wheels I would just clean them with polish every now and then. Put a coat of wax on periodically and you shuold be good.

The wheels were anodized from the factory. Don't know how much you would have to sand before you go through it though.

I have an 86, BMW and when I got it painted a few years ago The shop redid the rims and cleared them, they looked great, were easy to clean and still look great. Keeping them clean is the secret as brake dust sure can ruin the look in a hurry. The Bimmer is my wife's daily driver so the wheels are out in the rain and snow and SALT!! all the time, the finish has stood up well. Your rims look fantastic by the way, that is what I'm looking for.

Ian Stott
Moncton
Canada

Looks great!! I'm considering painting mine also. What kind of paint did you use and how did you get the lines so even?

Just in case you missed my thread regarding polished wheels....DON'T use any of the wheel cleaners that "easily" remove brake dust. I used the Black Magic stuff on my polished 2 liters. It etched the metal(see pic)

Stick with soap and water and an occasional polishing. Your wheels look awesome.

i hear al reed does CLEAR powdercoating....

I heard that too. Hmmm, where was that? Ummmm, oh I remember, the sixth post on this thread.

Eric

QUOTE (blitZ @ Dec 1 2005, 04:12 AM)

Looks great!! I'm considering painting mine also. What kind of paint did you use and how did you get the lines so even?

I used Rustoleum brand black satin paint sold everywhere, ie Orchard. In order to mask things off, I just used the new colored 3m tape. Working it around the rim at an angle with a slight pulling stretches it a bit allowing it to lay down smoothly and continuing any lines you're laying down.

Thanks for all the tips on clear coating. I didn't even think about how rock chips could affect the coating. It sounds like I will just use a little Mother's polish once in a while.

QUOTE (ewdysar @ Dec 1 2005, 04:20 PM)

I heard that too. Hmmm, where was that? Ummmm, oh I remember, the sixth post on this thread. Eric

Yeah, that would have been me...

I'll try to post a pic of the results this afternoon.

QUOTE (ChrisFix @ Dec 2 2005, 05:50 AM)

QUOTE (ewdysar @ Dec 1 2005, 04:20 PM) I heard that too.  Hmmm, where was that?   Ummmm, oh I remember, the sixth post on this thread. Eric Yeah, that would have been me... I'll try to post a pic of the results this afternoon.

shows me to read before posting.....