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  #1  
Old 01-01-2005, 11:07 PM
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Wheel Clear Coat

Anyone know the best way to get the clear coat off wheels from a W126? I want to buff them out with Jewlers rouge, but not sure how to get off the clear coat.

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  #2  
Old 01-02-2005, 02:10 PM
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Media blasting is the best way.
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Old 01-02-2005, 03:41 PM
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What is that?
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Old 01-02-2005, 04:36 PM
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The new term for "sand blasting" but since they don't use sand anymore (crushed nut shells, glass/plastic beads) it's called media blasting now.
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Old 01-02-2005, 04:44 PM
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Please don't tell me that is a politically correct term!
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  #6  
Old 01-05-2005, 08:30 AM
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Why wouldn't paint remover work? Clear coat is just paint.
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  #7  
Old 01-06-2005, 05:44 PM
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I assume you're planning on removing the paint and repainting yourself. I've heard from a couple folks that have done this and they swore they would never do it again - major PITA. My clear coat has finally seen better days on the 126 after 18+ years and I'm debating what to do. Right now, my top option is to have them chromed at a cost of $1k. Interested to learn what others have done.
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  #8  
Old 01-06-2005, 11:06 PM
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Chris,

I bought a second set on e-bay for very little money. I thorougly cleaned them with a wire brush to remove all the dirt and then had a shop that does my spray painting on my tooling bead blast them.

Then I painted them with "Z1" paint which is supposedly the same as the Wurth. The color is a perfect match. I finished them up with a clear lacquer.
Let them dry for a couple of weeks and rubbed out the finish.

I will tell you that the finish from a spray can is not as good as the original factory finish. However, from 1 foot away, you cannot tell the difference.
My third and fourth wheels came out especially good because I did not use too much paint.

The total cost is about $60. for the paint. The bead blasting was free for me but should not be more than $100. The wheels that came off the SDL will be refinished to go onto the SD.

You might consider a powder coat of the wheels if you want a real professional finish.
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Old 01-07-2005, 10:05 AM
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Thanks, Brian; great input. Boy, you get around these forums.

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  #10  
Old 01-07-2005, 10:11 AM
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I had a couple of sets of chromed wheels over the years. I decided that chromed wheels were getting too expensive. Chroming, when done correctly, will only last 6 or 7 years at best. Done poorly, 2 or 3 years.

I picked up a 2nd set of bundt cake wheels at a "recycler" and had them polished.

The polishing cost me $65 per wheel and they looked chromed after the polishing. I will have to say that keeping the brake dust off chromed or polished wheels is a big PIA, if you want to keep the wheels looking nice. I think brake dust comes off chromed wheels easier than polished wheels.

The upside to polished wheels is that they'll never need to be rechromed, a big $ saver.
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  #11  
Old 01-07-2005, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
my top option is to have them chromed at a cost of $1k
How much do MB alloy wheels cost? I guess we can buy four MB wheels at less than $1k.
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Old 01-07-2005, 08:49 PM
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A lot less than $1k here: http://www.santaanaplating.com/site/
$95/wheel

Of course, I didn't have shipping, since I'm close by (relatively). Two-way shipping isn't cheap. Hopefully you have someone like them close.
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  #13  
Old 01-21-2005, 01:39 AM
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I notice those platers only offer a 1 year warranty.

My MB shop tells me that chrome plating wheels is a bad
idea. When the plating wears, they start leaking. Major
PITA.

I want to have mine bead-blasted and repainted but think
I'm going to buy a 2nd set on eBay rather than take my car
off the road for a couple weeks.

I can always turn around and sell the old set on Ebay.

Bill
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  #14  
Old 01-21-2005, 10:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backstage1
I notice those platers only offer a 1 year warranty.
Some of them are praying for the entire year, as well.

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