108 Refurb Questions

[bmwangler]

I've been lucky enough to pick up several 108 Alloys which I'm refurbishing. The several threads already posted deal with this in depth and have been a great help so-far!

My plan is to refurb a set and transfer these onto the car, then do my own original set.

I've successfully split a whole set of centres from the rims (one bolt had already been sheared and I doubt if I'll be able to get this one out - someone's already had a go and butchered it . No matter though as I have 6 extra wheels in all, as well as the ones on the car).

All the centres are OK (amazingly) except one on the car is not quite so good, so First question: Can you "mix & match" centres and rims? They all seem identical to me and all seem to fit each other - any ideas?

Another option I'm considering (easier) is to do the wheels two at a time (2 of my spares have tyres) and refurb my own wheels with the tyres on, as at least one member (Nerra - excellent posts) did last year.

So question 2 is: How have the refurb jobs by members lasted when done with the tyres on? Have there been problems with the lacquer breaking-down, or whatever - it would be interesting to know others' experiences before I finally decide which way to go.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Good to see you've picked up a set.

A couple of answers and comments. The centres are stamped as 8.5J and 8J so you should keep them paired if for no reason other than it will make them confusing if you sau pair a rear centre to a front 'rim'

Centres don't corrode so I'm not surprised they are perfect.

I did it with tyres on - I took time to get a very clean edge and made a template to protect the tyre from spray.

Lacquer lasts fine if you do several coats. I will redo mine in the Summer but that's after 18 months and the worst Winter in xx years. Not urgent but I can do the lips alone in 2 hours for all 4 now and I like perfection.

Good luck

 

[bmwangler]

....... I can do the lips alone in 2 hours for all 4 now and I like perfection.......

Thanks for your advice. Do you mean that you split the rims, strip, sand, re-lacquer a whole set in 2 hours?

 

[cj10jeeper]

....... I can do the lips alone in 2 hours for all 4 now and I like perfection.......

Thanks for your advice. Do you mean that you split the rims, strip, sand, re-lacquer a whole set in 2 hours?

Yes after the initial refurb the next time I will only need to lacquer the lip.
4 wheels off
Split them (using air tools)
Nitromors the old lacquer off
machine polish / buff up any minor marking on the lip
mask tyre with template
spray in rotation - 2nd coat on 1st rim by time 4th finished, etc.
Assemble, torque and refit.

Add an extra hour if I decide to respray the inners.

 

[bmwangler]

Fair play - that's very quick. I couldn't do it in double that time!

How do you remove all 4 wheels at once?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Fair play - that's very quick. I couldn't do it in double that time!

How do you remove all 4 wheels at once?

I have 3 trolley Jacks - one being a 3 tonne that easily lifts half the car 50cm up and a pair of axle stands.
Air tools on the bolts now, but used to use 18v drill for speed
Have advantage of an empty 2 car garage and very well equiped tool cabinets

Oh and working on cars as a hobby since I could reach the bonnet

 

[EdButler]

Phil, what kind of Laquer did you use? I had problems with mine originally with the laquer 'beading' too much on the polished surface. Drove me mad as i couldnt get the correct result so eventually buffed it all off. Now they have completely rotten!

Do you think placing some sealant between the 2 will provent water sitting?

Ill be re-splitting them this weekend hopefully and have ordered some marine grade Aluminium Alloy protector (cream and spray). Says it lasts 30 days submerged and over a year above water... Hoping this will be a good compromise so will report my results!

 

[cj10jeeper]

Phil, what kind of Laquer did you use? I had problems with mine originally with the laquer 'beading' too much on the polished surface. Drove me mad as i couldnt get the correct result so eventually buffed it all off. Now they have completely rotten!

Do you think placing some sealant between the 2 will provent water sitting?

Ill be re-splitting them this weekend hopefully and have ordered some marine grade Aluminium Alloy protector (cream and spray). Says it lasts 30 days submerged and over a year above water... Hoping this will be a good compromise so will report my results!

Ed

I used Halfords clear coat lacquer. Probably not the best as other have since posted references to specilaised alloy lacquers such as iirc Wurth. Downside of being a pioneer

Beading - I woudl say that was purely to do with surface contamination. Has to be clean. No Vienna lime or similar on it. I also preheated the rims with a fan heater in the centre turned around a few times (old trick to make the paint dry quickly)

I don't hold with the idea of sealing between the rim and star but Richard? has done it and reported good results. The minor deterioration on mine is from stone chips now, not ingress between the 2 surfaces.

Left bare - you're brave and no matter how good the protector I doubt it will work unless you pamper the each time you get the car home.

 

[AlanJ]

I've been lucky enough to pick up several 108 Alloys which I'm refurbishing. The several threads already posted deal with this in depth and have been a great help so-far!

So question 2 is: How have the refurb jobs by members lasted when done with the tyres on? Have there been problems with the lacquer breaking-down, or whatever - it would be interesting to know others' experiences before I finally decide which way to go.

This might be of use...... http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17555&p=254084&hilit=+108*#p254084

 

[bmwangler]

Thanks for all your help guys. As I'm going to be working on my drive (garage used as a workshop!), I think I'm going to do 2 at a time, using a couple of spares on the car when they're being done.

Gonna start them in a month or so, when the weather's (hopefully!) better and I'll get some pics uploaded when done.

 

[Mr Whippy]

I'm redoing mine VERY slowly right now.

The centres are really nice, even mine are hardly corroded, just a TINY bit in the bolt holes where the bolt seats, and a few kerb marks on the tips of the odd spoke, but that is it... Obviously they have been cleaned up loads, cutting compound and then fine polish to make them sparkle... mmmm...

Will use the lacquer for going over polished alloy... might make the inners solid, not sure yet, just seems a liability to do them clear and have them fail/corrode if damaged even a tiny bit.

Tempted to also use a bead of clear silicone on the inside of the alloy, and some on the outside and let it sandwich out, then clean back, so the gap is sealed.

Upon splitting you realise why they fail, when they are put together the inner scrapes the clearcoat lacquer back and leaves it nicely exposed ready for corrosion. Sealing it should mean you never see corrosion unless the lacquer is compromised on the polished lip surface itself (easily happens)


That is all why I've gone to 107's, haha

108's are nice, and I'll be sad to sell them, but they are hard work to keep nice for the longer term, and need good care and attention!

Dave

 

[bmwangler]

Dave,

I can fully see your reasoning for going to the 107's and they are a superb-looking wheel anyhow.

However I just totally associate the 108's with the Z4 - they were made for each other in my opinion and a really good Z4 on an unmarked set of 108's just looks as good as it gets, so I'm prepared to put in the extra effort to acheive that.

I managed to pick up 6 extra wheels in a couple of deals, including 2 with tyres for a total of just £200.00, so having a go at a refurb is a no-brainer. When finished I'll sell-on the 2nd refurbed set and hopefully cover my costs. I'll keep 2 extras though so I can always change a couple over if I need to refurb mine again in future. Having several extra wheels will make it much easier and hopefully less stressful!

Nick