Restore Paint on Wheels - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SGH86_560SL · #1 08-05-2008, 09:33 PM

Hi all,
I am looking to restore the wheels on my 86 560SL. Any suggestions on the best way? What color should I look for? Thanks for your help.

JC

aublutiger · #2 08-06-2008, 11:15 AM

First off, what kind of wheels are they? I'm assuming with it being in the 80s...its chrome? Aluminum color? Is it the body color...that usually pertains to older models with vintage caps. Anyway, Duplicolor has some paint colors specifically for wheels...check out a couple of websites: duplicolor.com and youtube.com. Both have vids of repainting wheels. I haven't had a chance to do this yet, so I don't know how well it will turn out, but there appears to be some good instructions and vids on how to do it.

deanyel · #3 08-06-2008, 12:17 PM

The obvious answer on color would be silver but you can use any color you want. Are you planning to use spray cans? Spray cans of silver wheel paint are available from several manufacturers, e.g. Wurth, and spray cans can do a good job cosmetically but no air dried paint is going to hold nearly as well as a two part catalyzed paint.

aublutiger · #4 08-06-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanyel

The obvious answer on color would be silver

Actually..no...there is a Chrome color, Silver color, or it could be the body matched color...just depends on the wheel style that they have

deanyel · #5 08-06-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aublutiger

Actually..no...there is a Chrome color, Silver color, or it could be the body matched color...just depends on the wheel style that they have

As indicated one can do anything you want but the car in question came with silver painted wheels. Many years before this model MB painted hubcaps to body color but never wheels. Chrome paint exists but I've never heard of it being used on wheels. It tends to be very fragile. Chrome wheels are chromed, not painted.

coleyjf · #6 08-06-2008, 02:15 PM

On an 86 model shouldn't they be the revised face-lift (86-89) flat pepperpot wheels (alloy) rather than the earlier half pained ones?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/image.php?u=23877&dateline=1138372105&type=profile

cheers

Jim

JimFreeh · #7 08-06-2008, 04:33 PM

Wheels are painted Mercedes color Astral Silver with a clearcoat.

Jim

Roncallo · #8 08-06-2008, 09:33 PM

I just ordered this kit from Classic Motoring. I hope its right. They also sell just the paint for $19.00.

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/euwhtokit.html

Strife · #9 08-07-2008, 01:58 AM

FWIW, if you are going to go through the trouble of doing it right, I would powdercoat. By the time you remove the wheels, peel off the tires, strip, refinish, remount, rebalance, and reinstall the wheels the paint is a smaller part of the expensnse. There is an actual "mercedes silver" powdercoating at Caswell Plating. I know of at least two shops that will use powder that you provide. I had a set powdercoated, and a winter of baked-on caked-on brake dust inside the wheels washed off with car wash soap, and they look like new.

SunGuy · #10 08-07-2008, 11:11 AM

I agree with strife...powder coating is the way the original 'bundt' wheels were delivered on my '87 560SL. If 'as original' is desired, powder coating is absolutely better than paint...substantially more durable. Don't get me wrong, paint works, like Wurth for example, but for durability, my belief is that no paint will top powder coating.

Bob

deanyel · #11 08-07-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunGuy

powder coating is the way the original 'bundt' wheels were delivered on my '87 560SL. If 'as original' is desired, powder coating is absolutely better than paint...substantially more durable.

An 87 SL originally had 15 hole wheels, not bundt wheels, and they were painted, not powdercoated.

Roncallo · #12 08-07-2008, 12:08 PM

Whats the bake temp for powder coating.

John Ulrich · #13 08-07-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Whats the bake temp for powder coating.

400 degrees

Strife · #14 08-07-2008, 09:33 PM

I was THIS CLOSE to buying the Harbor Freight oven, which is occasionally on sale for $360. This can hold a 17" wheel. A decent gun (one that can do a wheel evenly) is about $220. It is possible to make your own oven out of an old kitchen stove (many people do this - see forums on Caswell plating). Prices and power requirements for anything bigger go up exponentially.

Powder coating is a little messy during the application phase. but there are ways around this.

So, it's initially expensive, but once you have it, the powder is actually cheaper than good quality paint in terms of coverage. Most people who have a setup make a few bucks doing things for other people.