Polishing bundts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 06-26-2011, 07:47 PM

Hi,
My 300cd has chrome wheels, and I like the look against my lapis blue car.

Problem is, it is peeling. So I'm considering my options which include replacing the 14" wheels with 15" bunts from Germany. But I am inclined towards the chrome.

I could send a set to LA to get done, but I have to wonder if high polish would work...

So, has anyone highly polished their wheels? Like it? Come out well? Look good? Has it lasted?

Pics?

Any info appreciated!

Thanks!

Strife · #2 06-26-2011, 11:47 PM

I've done it.

Polishing Bundts - Not "Fun"

It was VERY tough. If you should use them in the winter, which I would not recommend, they will have to be repolished. I've had these for about three years, and I did use them one winter here (not as tough as your winters) and it took a day's work to repolish them. Not nearly as much work as the original effort, though.

Keep in mind that aluminum is softer than chrome, and also "whiter" - not bluish, like chrome is.

All in all, I'm very pleased with them.

Note that I polished original forged 14x6.5" MB Bundts; modern aftermarket copies are probably spun-cast, which might make polishing then tougher or easier, depending on their quality.

JHZR2 · #3 06-27-2011, 12:09 AM

Wow, beautiful!

That is a look I'd like. Care to do another set for pay

I wonder if there are shops that will do a quality job at this...

Do you think that clearcoating or clear powdercoating after the polish would keep the shine while fully sealing the surface? I'd be inclined to do that unless it would cause problems (since I couldn't republish at that point).

My CD isn't a salty road driver if I can at all avoid it...

Strife · #4 06-27-2011, 02:20 AM

1. Only if you are extremely wealthy

The real difficulty was doing the "windows", because the original forgings weren't really all that well machined there; the original paint and its primer was very thick and covered up a lot of crimes. This took a die grinder to do.

2. Clear powdercoating definitely will dull the shine quite a bit. You might wind up with "silver" wheels, not chrome.

3. The only thing I've heard of that will do a credible job of sticking to polished metal and keeping a high shine is Zoop seal. I have many polished aluminum parts in my car (alternator, power steering pump, valve covers, accelerator actuator) and just keeping them reasonably clean keeps them shiny for a long time. The only thing that really "hurt" these wheels was salt/winter road chemicals.