Can OZ wheels be re-lacquered?

[V8S]

My wheels in pretty good condition except around the centre caps where, I think, water has got behind the lacquer and it has gone milky. I assume the lacquer can be stripped off and re-done without needing to have the wheels diamond cut or anything?

[tvrgit]

I had mine stripped, diamond cut and relacquered. Within less than a year they were back to how they had been.

I stripped them again myself and polished them. Didn't bother lacquering them again, just give them a helluva polish once a year, and various intermediate quick polishes to keep them looking half decent.

There's more info on my web site, here's a link to how I did it the first time:

http://www.andrewc.org.uk/tvrgit/apr06.html#d17

There's a photo the following Saturday that shows how they turned out. If you look in the diary index you'll fnd further references in later years!

Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:23

[Longers]

As Andrew has said relaquering can often only last a short time. A couple of companies I spoke to last year no longer offer the relaquering service because so many people were having problems. I went for the painted option in the end and I'm delighted with the results.....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[grumpytvr]

Just had my OZ 8 spokes re-machined and lacquered by Pristine Alloy Wheels, who have done a good job at a good price. The lacquer seems more like clear powder coat(if there is such a thing). Its quite thick and very tough.

I only got them back on Tuesday and need to sort out tyres etc so they're not yet on the car. I can't comment on the longevity of the coating but it looks pretty good to me.

[V8S]

Why do I need the wheels remachined?

I just want the lacquer stripped and the same kind, thickness and whatnot put back on. It's lasted pretty well for 17 years so I don't see the point in taking metal off and ending up with a less satisfactory finish.

Surely companies can do exactly what OZ did when they made the wheels?

[phillpot]

grumpytvr said:

Just had my OZ 8 spokes re-machined and lacquered by Pristine Alloy Wheels, who have done a good job at a good price. The lacquer seems more like clear powder coat(if there is such a thing). Its quite thick and very tough.

I only got them back on Tuesday and need to sort out tyres etc so they're not yet on the car. I can't comment on the longevity of the coating but it looks pretty good to me.

Whats a "good price" ? been quoted around £100 per wheel by a place in B'ham. Is that a good price ?

[grumpytvr]

I'm not saying you have to have the wheels remachined. I had the wheels remachined because the diamond cut finish is difficult to reproduce by hand and my wheels were quite corroded in places. You're right, having them remachined could mean the finish isn't as good but it's much better than the state mine were in before hand! They might be able to just relacquer, why don't you try contacting them and asking? http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/

As for cost, £100 per wheel seems very high to me! I paid around half that. One of the wheels had a chunk out of the rim so required repair which brought the cost up a little. The cost also included a courier to pick the wheels up from my place of work and drop them back to me when the work was done. Overall I was very happy with the service but as I said before the wheels are not yet back on the car.

[Wiz]

I would go down the same route as Longers and have the shadow chrome finish. A lot less hassle than polishing them all the time.
Used to have BBS 2 pc on a previous car and the laquer was well known for clouding and corroding. Once you kerb them or if a tyre fitter catches the edge the water will get in and start to corrode them.

[MnS]

My wheels are off to Spit'n'Polish tomorrow to be refinished and diamond cut, quoted £47.50/wheel plus courier. I will let you know how it goes and put some pics up when they are back - said a week or so. Not getting them laquered over though, i am sure as tvrgit says when done a good once over per year should do the trick, or if you like polishing....... maybe twice .

[neil240970]

Stripped & polished mine last year. I've only jsut got round to polishing them again. Realistically, as Andrew said, one serious attempt and a couple of half-hearted efforts ought to keep them looking good.

[Wiz]

Watch out for road salt/grit. Needs washing off as soon as you get home.

[Longers]

Wiz said:

Watch out for road salt/grit. Needs washing off as soon as you get home.

And that's exactly the reason I went for the finish I did. I can't get as much time to use the car as I'd like and don't want to have to spend valuable driving time cleaning the wheels!

[v8sss]

grumpytvr said:

Just had my OZ 8 spokes re-machined and lacquered by Pristine Alloy Wheels, who have done a good job at a good price. The lacquer seems more like clear powder coat(if there is such a thing). Its quite thick and very tough.

I only got them back on Tuesday and need to sort out tyres etc so they're not yet on the car. I can't comment on the longevity of the coating but it looks pretty good to me.

Should go well with the pink!!

Only joking mate, well done I know its something you have been meaning to do for a while. Wheels make a car IMHO.

C

[Russ35]

I've just acquired another set of wheels, but they have seen much better days. Only one gouge but plenty of corrosion.

Not bothered about them having to look original (maybe dark chrome) as hopefully I'll look at getting my current wheels re-done sometime.

Is there a limit to what can be refurbished?