108 polished lips

T

tdz840

Member
Just refurbing a set of 108s.
A couple of questions; a number of you have refurbed these and they do look great. However how are the polished lips holding out? I like the look but sometimes it may be a couple of weeks until I can clean the car although I do try to clean it at least once a week. Would the wax/protection you use last especially in the current weather? Is lacquer the only answer and how does this last?
How do you obtain the smoke chrome look. I plan to paint these myself?
Cheers
Russ
 
hey russ, as i said in the other post i havent fitted mine yet.

i do plan to wax them quite regularly though, CJ10Jeeper is probably the guy to ask as he has had his on for just over a year i think.

the smoked chrome (like mine) is achieved by powder coating black then spraying with a chrome effect paint. there are a number of finishes but unless you know what you doing i would leave the main bit to the pro's

if you are splitting the rims i have put some wax oil (see http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15605) between the two parts to try and protect from corrosion where i cant get to it, some silicone around the rim/joint also.


richard
 
Don't think wax will last long term. I think you will need to use a clear lacquer to fully protect the lips and also use wax to give them that extra protection especially in the winter months.
 
jan_tekin said:
Don't think wax will last long term. I think you will need to use a clear lacquer to fully protect the lips and also use wax to give them that extra protection especially in the winter months.
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Thanks Jan
Russ
 
Just answered something similar on another thread.
I was probably the first to customise and modify 108's on the forum so have had them on now for well over a year in current format.

Based on advise from a metal polishing company I tried to leave them bare and use a good quality wax. Crap - they lasted about a week then started to go. One good day in the salt and it was game over. I stripped them down, repolished the lips and put multiple layers of lacquer and they've held up for 12 months.

I happened to be looking at them today and there are minor signs of dulling in some areas so I reckon in the spring I'll strip the lacquer and give them another coat. I reckon I can do the lips alone in 2 to 3 hours for all 4 wheels, so not a big task.

Smoked chrome on mine was done by an expert for me. He stripped the stars of old paint, painted them gloss black and iirc baked them, flashed chrome on, then lacquered them. After 12 months they remain perfect :)
 
cj10jeeper said:
Just answered something similar on another thread.
I was probably the first to customise and modify 108's on the forum so have had them on now for well over a year in current format.

Based on advise from a metal polishing company I tried to leave them bare and use a good quality wax. Crap - they lasted about a week then started to go. One good day in the salt and it was game over. I stripped them down, repolished the lips and put multiple layers of lacquer and they've held up for 12 months.

I happened to be looking at them today and there are minor signs of dulling in some areas so I reckon in the spring I'll strip the lacquer and give them another coat. I reckon I can do the lips alone in 2 to 3 hours for all 4 wheels, so not a big task.

Smoked chrome on mine was done by an expert for me. He stripped the stars of old paint, painted them gloss black and iirc baked them, flashed chrome on, then lacquered them. After 12 months they remain perfect :)
Click to expand...
Thanks for that.
Based on that wont leave them polished!
Cheers
Russ
 
The only thing with applying lacquer is that you end up in the same boat as you started. Once you get one curb or stone chip water will penetrate and manifest itself and form of corrosion, lifting the lacquer and making you have to start again.

I’ve seen a few people with bare rims and they have only had small issues that polish out, I love working on the car so once every week or so with the polishing kit wouldn’t bother me at all. for the inside of the rim I will be fully sealing them before they go on and looking after them periodically, the waxing I mentioned refers to the star and outer edge of the rim.

I might live to eat my words but I guess we will see :P
 
yeah :P like all things i start with good intentions. they will turn in to monthly polishes in no time ha
 
Rudd_2002 said:
yeah :P like all things i start with good intentions. they will turn in to monthly polishes in no time ha
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After which you lacquer them, avoid kerbing (of course) and if you do get a stone chip then a spot of lacquer or clear varnish and job done
 
tdz840 said:
CJ
Any particular lacquer you use?
Russ
Click to expand...

I just used Halfords clear lacquer, but others have since found and suggested alloy specific versions. Can't recall the names of others but a search on here or Ebay shoudl find them
 
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