What to do with my 108s

[Adamski]

Ok, I've done the obligatory forum search about refurbing my 108s, but haven't found the answer I'm after.

I saw cj10's thread about stripping 108s back to bare metal, and various others about diamond cutting the rim etc. Have also seen some great colour combo's, but think I like and want to keep the OEM look.

I really want to restore the 3 dodgy alloys I have. They are fair condition and have been refurbed by a previous owner, and need done again. I have one alloy which is good/new, but has one or two minor chips in the lacquer from tyre fitment, which will only get worse over time.

A few years ago I read that a BMW M3 owner painted his car in mirror chrome finish. It was a 500bhp supercharged M3. Big feature in a few magazines (I won't name the publication I read it in, I am too ashamed ). The paint looked mirror finish, an unusual approach, but this got me thinking.....

What I would like to know is - can I have the rims of my 108s powder coated and painted (using magic chrome paint :? ) to give a diamond cut look?

I could spend £500 getting the rims re-cut and lacquered, but there's no guarantee how long the fresh look will last. I really like the diamond cut look, but don't think all my rims are in a good enough condition to be re-cut. 2 rims have a score/light kerbing by previous owner. I reckon this rules out re-cutting the rim.

I've taken a long time to think about this, and have decided I want to keep my 108s, and am prepared to spend a bit to freshen them up.

Any help appreciated. Budget c.£500 - is there a paint which can give the look I'm after. I'm not in a rush, but want to get a good finish which will last

Thoughts please?

Thanks

Adam

 

[Stuart Truman]

No idea, but Chrome look sounds pretty good. Do you have spare wheels?

 

[Adamski]

No spare wheels, but could live without the car for a week or so while they're getting done....

Not sure if this is the M3 (it was years ago when I read the feature on it).... I don't remember it look so tacky, but then I might have been around 19 at the time. Hope you get the jist.

 

[Bing]

No spare wheels, but could live without the car for a week or so while they're getting done....

Not sure if this is the M3 (it was years ago when I read the feature on it).... I don't remember it look so tacky, but then I might have been around 19 at the time. Hope you get the jist.

Carbon fibre badges would totally finish that off

 

[Stuart Truman]

That M3 looks like a special effect out-take from Terminator 2. I'd be expecting it to Morph into something else!...

Adamski, I know I sound like a rep for them, but call Lepsons in Swindon. You could courier your wheels to them, they'll acid bath them back to bare metal, skim what needs doing and return them like new. If you call them they'll go through the options with you. I'm sure they'd do something for the forum, they do a 10% discount for The Alpina Register.

I'm so chuffed with my wheels...

http://www.lepsons.com/process.phtml

There are some pics of mine being done and the finished work here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuart-truman/sets/72157627315401770/

 

[a11y]

If it was my 108's, I'd want to keep the polished effect on the outer parts only. Obviously that usually means leaving them polished/unlacquered (not a good idea for us up north) or clear-laquering over the polished metal (which IME doesn't last). Obviously the most durable solution is painting the outer bit, but IMO that detracts from the look of the wheel.

I think the idea of painting the outer sections in a chrome/silver paint, and keeping the centre star sections painted normal silver, would be work a try...

 

[bluebatmobile]

Adamski, I spoke with The Wheel Specialist (took another car in for refurb) near me and they showed me a chrome like powder coat finish they can offer for split rims to maintain OE look. I'd had my 108's done elsewhere (painted rim to avoid future problems) and they were showing/telling me how they'd have done a bettter job, and now 5 months after my 108 refurb I wish i'd gone there. My wheels are showing signs of paint lifting, and some corrosion around the bolt holes that wouldn't have been there if dip stripped blasted and powder coated!

They were £150 a corner, but their prices seem justified due to the quality of the job. Like everything in life you get what you pay for!

Maybe worth an enquiry to maintin look but introduce longevity to finish.

 

[Mrsbrown]

I've just had my rears done...if you pardon the expression,

Diamond polished rim but lacquered inside the drum..dealer said and agree when inspecting the wheel that it was madness to just polish and laquer as one chip and your wide open to trouble again..most of the damage on mine was from the inside leaking out onto the polished lip not any outside damage or kerbing...
Did think about a complete wet paint finish but as many said here I think it doesn't look as cool IMHO...

I can try and post a pic if your interested...worked out £90 a wheel

 

[Adamski]

I've just had my rears done...if you pardon the expression,

Diamond polished rim but lacquered inside the drum..dealer said and agree when inspecting the wheel that it was madness to just polish and laquer as one chip and your wide open to trouble again..most of the damage on mine was from the inside leaking out onto the polished lip not any outside damage or kerbing...
Did think about a complete wet paint finish but as many said here I think it doesn't look as cool IMHO...

I can try and post a pic if your interested...worked out £90 a wheel

Pics would be great. Still open to options, but ZermattV has been a legend and given me details of a local wheel refurb company only 10 miles away

I reckon I'll show them this thread when I go to see them

 

[markeg]

ah, chrome cars - nice idea, but IMO not in practice...