Wheel Refurbishment Advice

[Smudgemanuk]

I bought some Style 89's this week and although the front sides are in pretty good condition, the backside are very much not (see photo)

All the paint on the inside is or has peeled off

What options do I have for improving the backs of these wheel?
Powdercoating, painting myself
I am not overly fussed about the back as long as they are somewhat silver and clean

Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[andyglym]

Clean, sand, mask up and rattle can will do the job you want.

 

[Smudgemanuk]

That is along the lines of what I was thinking

Would you not need to Etch Prime before painting?

Sorry I am not very experienced with this!

 

[andyglym]

That is along the lines of what I was thinking

Would you not need to Etch Prime before painting?

Sorry I am not very experienced with this!

Yes mate, did the same with one of my old sets

 

[Pond]

That is along the lines of what I was thinking

Would you not need to Etch Prime before painting?

Sorry I am not very experienced with this!

If you are sanding them, you don't need etching primer, just cheap primer from Halfrauds or similar is more than sufficient.
'BMW Titan Titanium Silver' metallic paint also from Halfrauds is a very good generic match for most BMW silver wheels aswell.
You don't need to lacquer the insides but I always do, as it gives a bit more protection against stone chips.

One top tip for painting wheels with tyres on.....get an old pack of playing cards and push these between the rim and the tyre. They will fit tight, then overlap them all the way round (with a little tape on each one just to stop them sliding around). It saves hours of masking and masking tape doesn't stick to rubber tyres very well anyway.

The better prep you do, the better results you will get. Go steady with the rattle cans, it's easy to get runs if you go a bit mad.

If done well, DIY refurbs on wheels can look as good as any pro can do, and it is a satisfying job.

 

[bmwz3tower]

I did a rattle can job on my wheels and can only recommend see before and after, I used this paint https://ebay.us/m/SXsILM (if the link doesnt work BMW 144 Felgen Silver)

 

[Pond]

I did a full set of 326M wheels on one of our E89s. They were in a terrible state, with chunks ripped out them. I don't have a 'before' picture but this is how they turned out....

 

[Trevor /chedder]

I'd go with powder coating, I sanded and sprayed mine a few years ago, took ages and looked good, but I was never completely happy with the result. Powder coating will make them look like new.

 

[Zephyr]

Just clean well, scrub with 3M pad, clear coat them multiple times and youre done. Thats all they need.

 

[Smudgemanuk]

Thank you for all your help everybody

I feel much better equipped to do this now

@Pond - was that Titan Silver Halfords paint on or rattle? Your refurb looks fantastic. Thank you for all the tips, playing card idea sounds inspired!

@bmwz3tower - Your refurb looks very good, the link works, thanks

@Trevor /chedder - Powercoating is a tempting option but I think as it is just the backs of them that are bad, I don't mind it not being perfect

How have all your refurbishments lasted over time?

 

[bmwz3tower]

Thank you for all your help everybody

I feel much better equipped to do this now

@Pond - was that Titan Silver Halfords paint on or rattle? Your refurb looks fantastic. Thank you for all the tips, playing card idea sounds inspired!

@bmwz3tower - Your refurb looks very good, the link works, thanks

@Trevor /chedder - Powercoating is a tempting option but I think as it is just the backs of them that are bad, I don't mind it not being perfect

How have all your refurbishments lasted over time?

I only did mine 2 months ago so can't really give a full assessment but they still look great now

 

[Pond]

I am in regular contact with the chap who bought the E89 I did. He has no complaints 3 years on.

The 'BMW silver' paint was rattle cans from Halfords, although it looks like they have changed the way they do paint colours. It seems to be all codes now.

 

[Smudgemanuk]

I am starting prepping my wheels today.

Should my aim be to get all the old paint off the inside or just the flaky bits?
Would a wire brush on a drill be too aggressive?
What would you recommend?

thanks Chris

 

[Pond]

I am starting prepping my wheels today.

Should my aim be to get all the old paint off the inside or just the flaky bits?
Would a wire brush on a drill be too aggressive?
What would you recommend?

thanks Chris

All you need to do is get them evenly smooth. Old paint doesn't matter as long as the surface is smooth enough for new paint to not show any imperfections.
Don't cut corners and think that the new paint will cover any 'ridges'; it won't. It will just highlight them.

I wouldn't use a wire brush on alloy TBH, it is relatively soft and an aggressive tool could gouge and damage them. Use sandpaper by hand. It is hard work and takes a while but you can see where you are at all times with it. I would start with a coarse paper, say 80 grit and then something like 120. You want a good 'key' for the paint, so you don't need any paper too fine.

And also make sure any dirt, grime and especially grease is removed completely before painting. Paint won't stick to grease or grime.

 

[Smudgemanuk]

Ok sounds good, thank you

 

[Zephyr]

I would spray some filler sand down and then do the base coat on them if they had scrathces you can feel with your fingernail.

Γεμιστικός στόκος σπρέι Morris Filler Spray 33870 400ml - Τoolman

www.toolman.gr

 

[Smudgemanuk]

Has anyone got any tips on spray painting the back/inside of wheels?

Getting an even finish might be tricky

I don’t even know if the can will work on its side, if I have the wheel lying down

 

[Pond]

I don’t even know if the can will work on its side, if I have the wheel lying down

It will, as long as it's not nearly empty.
A rattle can has a 'dip tube' which goes to the bottom of the can, so as long as the paint covers the tube it will spray.

I have always sprayed wheels with them lying flat (how else could you practically do them?) and never had a problem.

 

[Smudgemanuk]

All the cans are brand new.


Helpful to understand how the dip tube works — good to know.


And it’s reassuring that you’ve done it before.

Thanks for you help Pond

 

[IainP]

I’ve done rather a lot of alloys over the years.
I use a brass brush on a grinder now to get all the loose stuff off, followed by a Scotchbrite pad, also on the grinder, 100 followed by 240, then etch primer, then paint. 1/2 speed. Ali oxidises ridiculously quickly, plain primer will work for a couple years. Etch and it’ll be double that, but that’s with Scottish winters.