[e36-ollie]

I own a e36 328 sport which I am currently doing as a small project.

My wheels are corroded on the outer egdes (the polished section) and I was wondering if sorting this out is something I might be able to do at home as I am on a tight budget.

Obviously doing it myself the quality isnt going to be any where near professional but I just want to make them look better than they do.

If anyone has any info / a wheel refurb guide then please help me out.

Below are some images of all 4 wheels.

Thanks

 

[e36-ollie]

Think I've posted the pics incorrectly as they havent come up, could some one please correct this for me.

 

[sprout99]

I've just had mine refurbed at a place in sunderland called SEM.
They specialise in split rims and diamond cut stuff.

Just had mine stripped, powder coated and gloss finished £50 a corner and they look better than new

Their number is 0191 5840617

Another bonus was they fitted my new tyres for nothing as tyres had to come off anyway !

Ian

 

[e36-ollie]

Thanks for that if they didnt do a bad job might have to give them a ring if I am not able to do it myself.

 

[Ronnie]

Try editing your post and re-posting them up :thumbsup

 

[[email protected]]

I spent a long time re-furbing some Abarth alloys for my Fiat. Stripped, filled, sprayed and lacquered. If you take care and spend the time you get a great finish.
But you work back from the price of professional refurb such as Sprout quotes, then it works out that you have saved yourself about £2 an hour !
Having done it myself, enjoyed doing it, and loved the result, I have done my last set of wheels, never again.

 

[e36-ollie]

I wouldnt know where to start doing them myself.

Obviously removing the tyre would be a starting point but the obviously I would have to remove the laquer. Do I then have to sand them down using different grades of paper? Which one do I start with, how many differernt grades do I have to use and which one do I finish with?

Then it would have to be re-laquered.

 

[[email protected]]

I did the following;

Ground back the kerb marks with a dremel multi type tool.
Filled dips with Isopon
Sanded back Isopon, and refilled, gradually making level back up
Sanded back any marks with fine wet and dry, then lightly sanded rest of wheel to provide key for paint.
Degreased wheel.
Sprayed with aerosol alloy wheel paint. I used 1 can/wheel in the end which corresponded to 5/6 coats.
Lacquered with 3 coats of gloss lacquer.
It took me 3 weeks of evenings, about 2 hours each night.

It was a royal PITA, but, great feeling with end result.

Preperation is key. Don't hurry and be prepared to sand down again any impurities between coats.

6 months later, refurbed wheels are still in the garage awaiting new tyres. Need to get my finger out !

 

[e36-ollie]

I've been thinking and the centre of the wheel is not that bad. I am going to leave the kerbing for the moment.

Could I just remove all the laquer and sand then down lightly so the polished lip looks better and the just re-do them with laquer??