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Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons wheel refurbish)
- daveg
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Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons wheel refurbish)
Since buying the car the wheels have been bugging me. The centre caps were corroded, and the wheels were rough with overspray from a previous roadside refurb. The paint behind the spokes was pretty poor and starting to bubble along with some around the centre caps.
I wanted to have them properly refurbished for a while and some colleagues recommended Lepsons after seeing some MV2 wheels they had done.
I managed to borrow some wheels for the week (eternally grateful to m44rrt) and was able to leave mine at Lepsons. They take a while as they get a full acid dip, repair and baked powercoat / lacquer for a better than OEM - long lasting finish. I went for a mix of the "smoked-chrome" and "two-tone" finishes. The wheels are painted black, and then highlighted with silver chrome-fleck on the faces. This gives a very deep shine that changes with the angle you look at them. I was very happy with how they turned out and extremely impressed with Lepsons. They lived up to their expectations and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a wheel-off refurb.
When I got the wheels back I wanted to seal them so got in some Autobrite Very Berry Wheel Wax after being so impressed with the Addiction Wax. The wax was just like Addiction in it's application, it went on so easily. It felt like I was waxing ice the applicator slid over the paint so easily.
What I love about Autobrite waxes is it is hard to put on too thick. With other waxes like Collinite 915 I have found the pad 'sticky' when applying and having to do lots of tiny circles to ensure a thinish coat. If you put too much on or leave it too long it's a pig to buff off. Very Berry is the opposite, it buffs off with a light pass of a Eurow Double Density Shag Pile microfibre.
And the smell - this wax is even better than Addiciton! Think strawberries, cherries and raspberries all rolled in. I had to really concentrate not to scoff the applicator when getting more wax from the pot!
Here are the black insides after waxing:
The wax left a stunning shine and really made the chrome flake in the paint pop.
Here are some pictures of the wheels on. It's hard to capture the 3D effect this paint finish gives so I took quite a few I'm afraid!
And yes I know the car is dirty!
The paint gradually changes from silver to black on the rims
The insides of the spokes are dark
You can really see the flake on the inside of the spoke in this shot
Really need some new wheel bolts now
And the finishing touch, a new set of badges
I wanted to have them properly refurbished for a while and some colleagues recommended Lepsons after seeing some MV2 wheels they had done.
I managed to borrow some wheels for the week (eternally grateful to m44rrt) and was able to leave mine at Lepsons. They take a while as they get a full acid dip, repair and baked powercoat / lacquer for a better than OEM - long lasting finish. I went for a mix of the "smoked-chrome" and "two-tone" finishes. The wheels are painted black, and then highlighted with silver chrome-fleck on the faces. This gives a very deep shine that changes with the angle you look at them. I was very happy with how they turned out and extremely impressed with Lepsons. They lived up to their expectations and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a wheel-off refurb.
When I got the wheels back I wanted to seal them so got in some Autobrite Very Berry Wheel Wax after being so impressed with the Addiction Wax. The wax was just like Addiction in it's application, it went on so easily. It felt like I was waxing ice the applicator slid over the paint so easily.
What I love about Autobrite waxes is it is hard to put on too thick. With other waxes like Collinite 915 I have found the pad 'sticky' when applying and having to do lots of tiny circles to ensure a thinish coat. If you put too much on or leave it too long it's a pig to buff off. Very Berry is the opposite, it buffs off with a light pass of a Eurow Double Density Shag Pile microfibre.
And the smell - this wax is even better than Addiciton! Think strawberries, cherries and raspberries all rolled in. I had to really concentrate not to scoff the applicator when getting more wax from the pot!
Here are the black insides after waxing:
The wax left a stunning shine and really made the chrome flake in the paint pop.
Here are some pictures of the wheels on. It's hard to capture the 3D effect this paint finish gives so I took quite a few I'm afraid!
And yes I know the car is dirty!
The paint gradually changes from silver to black on the rims
The insides of the spokes are dark
You can really see the flake on the inside of the spoke in this shot
Really need some new wheel bolts now
And the finishing touch, a new set of badges
Last edited by daveg on Tue Mar 23, 2010 11:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
03 3.0i SE For Sale
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
I think they look pretty damn nice - suit the car well.
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- cj10jeeper
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
They look really good. Nice change to the standard flat silver on ellipsoids
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Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
- Wondermike
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
daveg, very nice
Are those 108s a distant memory yet
Are those 108s a distant memory yet
- daveg
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
Thanks for the comments guys, appreciate it.
Nearly Mike, but it was nice admiring a set for a week without having to live with them . Someone is going to get a very nice set of 108s though since m44rrt is selling.
Nearly Mike, but it was nice admiring a set for a week without having to live with them . Someone is going to get a very nice set of 108s though since m44rrt is selling.
03 3.0i SE For Sale
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
- GAZA62
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
They look great thinking about a refurb on my 108s at Lepsons
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IF IT WAS NOT FOR BAD LUCK I'D HAVE NO LUCK AT ALL
IF IT WAS NOT FOR BAD LUCK I'D HAVE NO LUCK AT ALL
- adam81
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
They look great mate
- lacroupade
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
I normally don't like ellipsoids, but that finish really does something for the way the light falls on them and makes them much more sculptural - they look really really nice!
Can I ask what the £££ damage was?
Can I ask what the £££ damage was?
==============================================================
If toast always lands jam side down, and a cat always lands on its feet, what happens when you strap a piece of toast, jam side up, to the back of a cat?
If toast always lands jam side down, and a cat always lands on its feet, what happens when you strap a piece of toast, jam side up, to the back of a cat?
- pvr
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
107 are sure the nicest wheels for the Z
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- Mafoo
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
Stunning finish. Sets off your car perfectly. I spooooo need to find some 107's !!!!!!
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Need a Forum approved Specialist Independant Garage? viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38928
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- pvr
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
Your windscreen wipers are a bit high on the windscreen
The aero kit with the 107 wheels in SG - I don't even mind the orange indicators on the car, it is just fantastic.
The aero kit with the 107 wheels in SG - I don't even mind the orange indicators on the car, it is just fantastic.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- PawnSacrifice
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
+ 1pvr wrote: The aero kit with the 107 wheels in SG - I don't even mind the orange indicators on the car, it is just fantastic.
Damn it... not sure what to do with mine now! Possibly one of the best looking Zeds I've seen.
2003 2.5i. Info: Winter Tyres | PDF Manuals, Retrofit Instructions and Links | Modifications | YouTube | #Project924
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Hey, wet-pants! This isn't the Womens Auxiliary Balloon Corps.
- m44rrt
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
As DaveG says I have some real nice 108s on standard RFT tyres (5.5 to 6mm)
8" front 8.5" back - 18" rims
Bright edges all round - just one minor blemish on one wheel.
Buying mine is cheaper than doing a refurb on your 108s and putting on new tyres on with 8mm
Use your old 108s or other wheels with snow tyres next winter...
Dave has done a great job in cleaning them, many thanks
£785 to forum members
I am giving Sideshowbob first dibs on the wheels as he has already been in contact
DaveG - good looking wheels man....
8" front 8.5" back - 18" rims
Bright edges all round - just one minor blemish on one wheel.
Buying mine is cheaper than doing a refurb on your 108s and putting on new tyres on with 8mm
Use your old 108s or other wheels with snow tyres next winter...
Dave has done a great job in cleaning them, many thanks
£785 to forum members
I am giving Sideshowbob first dibs on the wheels as he has already been in contact
DaveG - good looking wheels man....
- daveg
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
Thanks for the kind comments everyone. With a family and girlfriend who are not that interested in cars it's nice to have some compliments.
Sure, the normal price was £55 plus VAT per corner, £65 plus VAT for the smoked-chrome. Kwik-fit are paying for the rears after damaging them when fitting the Pirellis. I tried to haggle a cash discount when paying but it was too late as the invoice had already been made out - had to be done when I dropped the wheels off. Could be useful if anyone else goes to Lepsons.lacroupade wrote:Can I ask what the £££ damage was?
Well spotted! The "Fix Problematic Wipers" thread is next on my listpvr wrote:Your windscreen wipers are a bit high on the windscreen
03 3.0i SE For Sale
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
Done - P Zero Rosso's | Stubby | 107's | ///M MFSW | ZHP | Cruise | Custom boot/license bulbs | Full circle brake | 330 calipers | EBC Ultimax/Greenstuff | Clear sides rears + 3rd brake | Strut Brace | 4 wheel align
- easty027
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Re: Autobrite Very Berry Review (and Lepsons)
love em, the black inners give a real depth to them. very nice...