restoring fuchs

dempa · Post by **dempa** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:46 pm

Hi!

I´m planning on restoring my fuchs wheels that followed with my latest buy. I´ve read a lot of the subject here and there but there is one thing that I´m not sure of. Is it possible to re-anodise wheels that have been for example welded on the outer rim to fix scars from curbs or something else? My wheels have some marks that I would want to fix to get the outer rim perfect.

Thanks for your help!

Regards Dennis

vricardo · Post by **vricardo** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:11 pm

The answer is yes Dennis!
At least here in Portugal it is. There's a company in the northern Portugal that can completely rebuild and refinish any wheel, not only Fuchs. They can operate miracles, I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw their work!!! And the prices are very friendly also.
I guess what they do is no secret, so you'll probably find a company that can do the same for your wheel in the UK.
But if, by any chance, you need their contact, I'll be more that happy to help! Since the wheels are very light, maybe it won't be that expensive to ship them here.
I know they have recently opened brunches in Spain and France – but the work is done in Portugal.
Good luck!

Alan @ CanfordClassics · Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:38 pm

Hi Dennis,

There are several companies/people that offer this service.
But if the outer rim is welded - it will show up once they are re-anodised. How badly depends on how much welding and the anodising process itself.

How badly marked are they, as it is possible to machine the outer lip from the outside across the lip and down the up-stand.

Thanks

Alan

Michael Birch · Post by **Michael Birch** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:08 pm

Dennis,

Talk to Nick Moss who posts regularly on here. www.early911.co.uk.

He's doing a pair of 6"/15" '73 originals for me.

steve wright · Post by **steve wright** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:44 am

jasmine also offer a very good anodising service, but you will probably see the weld... i would speak to them regarding the implications.

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:40 pm

Hi Dennis

Its rare that a rim needs welding to get rid of curb rash, machining usually gets rid of quite deep gouges and is neccessary anyway before polishing to remove any corrosion, which only becomes visible after anodising.

nickT · Post by **nickT** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:29 pm

Hi, if you can identify the exact alloy the wheel is made from, using a spark test, then you can use a filler rod that is a good match, this will reduce the colour difference.
Nick.

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:38 pm

Any welding will show when its anodised, believe me!

dempa · Post by **dempa** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:21 pm

Thanks you so much for your replies!

I think I could machine the markings when looking closer at them. The problem now is to get the pain away from the rims. Someone has painted them gray. I tried with a mixture of lye, water and wallpaper paste on them but it still won´t come of. If I figured it right this mixture would also help to soften the old anodising? I think I will have my wheels anodised somewhere here in Sweden.

Dennis

steve wright · Post by **steve wright** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:54 am

I wouldn't bother Dennis. Adonizing is as hard as hell and a real pain to get off. you're better just to take them to a specialist who will strip & re-anodize them in one go. Trying to take the anodizing off incorreclty might also damage the surface of the rim.

vricardo · Post by **vricardo** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:52 am

Yes Dennis, like Steve wrote, they do it in a snap! I think they give it a chemical strip first of all (probably acid) and get rid of all the paint and smudge. Here in Portugal it costs about 50 Euro a piece, including black paint (in the right areas!)
How much does it cost in the UK?