Is there a coating on the factory rims on the 82- 85 300D's? What is the best way to clean them and to refinish them?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

strip the paint and powdercoat them for a lasting finish..

to strip them I'd bead blast them

I've been struggling with this myself recently. I just picked up a set of 6.5x14's to polish, and it's been a bear!

Sanding is about impossible.

Paint stripper and easy off have made a little bit peal off here and there, and etched the aluminum underneath more than I'd like.

The wire wheel on the drill left more grooves than I'd like. I will have to go back over it again with another smaller dremel attachment, and there's still spots where I can't get to.

I was warned that sandblasting will pit more than I would care for.
Right now I'm looking for a place to mediablast (plastic bits) the finish off.

I am sure I will need to wet sand after it's down to bare alloy, but that is nothing compared to what I've already been through.

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1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

The best way to clean and strip them is to media blast them. Depending on your budget, powdercoating would be your best and most durable bet. Otherwise Griot's Garage sells a Silver Alloy Wheel Paint and a clear Lacquer that's supposed to be close to OEM.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=20229

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I have refinished several wheel sets.

I have been told NOT to strip the wheels with chemicals. The stripper will evovle out of the alloy after painting and cause the paint to bubble. Some one else told me there is no problem chemically stripping. So it’s your call.

Refinish when you are putting on new tires. So first remove the old tires. Sand and feather with 1500 grit paper. Take to a body shop and have them shot with M/B Astral Silver paint (don’t have the code, search) and clear coat. A price I can live with is 150.00 for the paint job.


Zill.

I had mine bead blasted and powder-coated for about $100 each, it took a few days but I liked the results.

I plan on leaving mine raw, but polished so they look like this:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

I agree with the media blast and powder coat. You can get a powder color that is super close to the OEM color and it will hold up way better than paint. Well worth the extra $ if you're keeping the car.

Talk to some of your local motorcycle shops to find out who does powder coating in your area. The M/C shops seem to be the most reasonably priced.

Cheers,

Bill

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Cheers,
Bill