Pitted Fuchs - Restoration

[8bit-ash]

I'm tackling my Fuchs while on lockdown but they all have differing levels of pitting. 2 are quite bad, one has minor and the other two are somewhere in between. Here is the worst -







Is there any advise for getting this out or is it just hard graft? I'm wondering if I tackle the petals and get someone to CNC the Rims?

[BILLY BEAN]

Usually the wheels are "dipped" to remove old paint and some of the surface anodising. The typical approach is to machine the outer and inner rim using a CNC vertical mill. Unfortunately, this can be done "over enthusiastically" and render the rim too thin to be safe. The criteria being used is to remove all pitting almost regardless of how thin the rim is reduced to. The inner rim should be around 4mm (+) if it has not already been restored at some point. Most people who offer this service use CNC machines and set these to a specific profile. This is where issues can arise with removing too much material. I have used an 'old school' company in Wolverhampton who still use a lathe and do things by eye and use their experience to remove material. This approach tends to remove the minimum material and therefore not compromise the integrity of the rim.
The petals can be done by hand but it is hard work. Machine polishing is far better. If you have access to a DA you can do them yourself.
The pitting is likely to be corrosion from road debris and breaching of the anodising but some may actually be within the material in which case you will not achieve a perfect finish.
You should inspect the wheel carefully as they sometimes show small cracks.
Once the wheel is polished / machined then the inner rim and petal sides need to be 'textured' followed by masking and painting.

[8bit-ash]

Thanks, I've had these dipped and gently media blasted on all areas except the face. I don't think they have ever been restored before so hopefully have plenty of material available to lose a little. I'll concentrate on getting the petals/face Pit free and then get the rims CNC'd once we are allowed back out. If anyone has any recommendations for someone to machine them in the London/Suffolk/Essex area that would be great.