Wheel restore

[BIGHVM]

Some of you may remember a while ago I spoke of restoring my wheels- I have decided to do it myself, as I am off sick at the moment and have shed loads of time- The plan is to check and refurb the spare back to pristine standard, then use it to replace each alloy in turn.
I dropped the spare and it has never been used, but the steel wheel is covered in surface rust as expected. I placed it on my workbench and used my dremel to take of the more lumpy rust and corrosion and have to use 800 wet and dry to take it all to metal today.
I will then use a high build primer in grey and the after a rub down and possible repeat with the primer, give it a few coats of paint-colour yet to be decided on.

The long term plan is to restore the entire car starting ground up- I have always wanted to do this and have never found the motivation to spend days on my back under a car.........but as I cant drive far most days for now, I may as well do something and am starting with the wheels as it will show results that will spur me on, next step is to drop the anti-rollbars front and back, rub them down and spray them and replace the bushes with upgrades that Howard is kindly finding for me.
The underbody is to be cleaned with wire brush and then sealed in time- hope to complete the underneath by summer.

Here starts the work of love!

 

[kevin p]

Good luck mate. I'm medically retired and have the time to do what you are planning to do. I have just finished building a workshop for all my tools and equipment [and for my Yamaha FJR 1300 motorbike]. I have made myself a sand blaster, and like you, will be dressing the Ex up underneath.
I'm thinking of doing the brake calipers first. I would like to post some photos as things progress but I'll be buggered if I can work out how to post them! Kev.

 

[Howard]

I would like to post some photos as things progress but I'll be buggered if I can work out how to post them! Kev.

The easiest way to post pictures is to sign up as elite members. Then you can post all the pictures that you want. It is very cheap and helps support the site.

Good luck to both of you.

 

[BIGHVM]

It went well today, just come in, getting dark now- I managed to remove all the rust from the wheel I used a few sheets of aluminium oxide paper- 40 grit and 80 grit--------rough as a bears behind, but really was fast at taking the old paint and rust off!

Have masked it off for spraying when I get a chance. whats the betting it rains all day tommorow?

 

[peter freeman]

just wondered what spray are you using to repaint.Only wanted to know as mine need doing thanks pete

 

[BIGHVM]

Well the one I am restoring now is the spare- its steel and I will after a few coats of high build primer, be giving it a coat of black and at least three coats of clear, to protect it further I will mount a thinck rubber ring between it and the spare wheel carrier to prevent metal to metal contact from damaging the inner part and hope that that stops further rust for some time to come.
The alloys, I am not sure about as yet, It depends on the stste of the alloy after I strip back the clear coat- its very corroded, of they need filling from pitting, I will paint them, so tempted to do a black and then loads of clear- think it will look great, diffo from the standard Northface or Limited finish.
I could just polish the scratches and pitting out, but that will take ages using, a dremmel and a detail sander- they should really be machined out!
I think it will look nice and mean in gloss black dont you?

 

[blueka]

if you do a black undercoat then spray some silver over the top you'll get like a smoked effect

Si

 

[boots]

Underbody cleaning & sealing.

Hi,


"The underbody is to be cleaned with wire brush and then sealed in time- hope to complete the underneath by summer."


Will you do mine next? I will provide tea and biscuits during the day, beer and bacon butties at night.

All the best

Boots

 

[BIGHVM]

Hmm, bacon butties.........................now thats tempting!

 

[BIGHVM]

Damn this weather-I am forced to adopt a dodgy tactic to complete my task, Wife will go bannanas if she finds out.............................................,(I must whisper the rest-so listen up!).................................. I have sneeked the wheel into the kitchen out of the wind and the rain, I did it under cover of darkness and slipped into the shadows like a ninja, infull stealth mode, I crept about and lifted the wheel over the step and through the patio doors- my heart racing and my eyes tuned to any other movment in case I was spotted by the neighbours!

I am going to finish this over the next two days as she is away at her sisters in Luton!
I intend to give it a rub down ...........................whenI finish I will do the wheel( :-O ) and prime and then spray and then clear coat.........only the cat could give me away now--------heres hoping she stays silent!
Wish me luck that I may complete this mission in time in safety and never be found out!

SHHHhhhhhh!

 

[BIGHVM]

Completed said task, never found out!
So Shhhh keep it a secret if in case the old ball and chain comes to the meet!
Got it?

 

[blueka]

:ttiwwp:

Si

 

[BIGHVM]

Pics on here in the morning mate- Doh, sorreee!!!!