W124 Wheels peeling..... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ChinaClipper · #1 03-03-2004, 05:42 PM

My 300E's wheels are peeling and look like crap, any ideas on how to restore the factory look? Powder coating? Anyone? Anyone? Thanks......

Greg in Oz · #2 03-03-2004, 08:42 PM

Have a look at this thread:
Alloy Wheels-Paint or What

I posted there about a year back and my efforts spray painting with pressure pack cans are still standing up well on the wheels on all three cars. The 300TE won its class again in last year's concours so the appearance of its wheels can't be too far from original. Here is a pic of one of the Sportline wheels on the 300TE (sorry for the poor resolution).

ChinaClipper · #3 03-03-2004, 09:02 PM

Could you tell me the brand of the "SilverWheels" product you used? Where did you buy it? Did you remove the clear coat befor using it? BTW I was told that oven cleaner is the best stuff short of blasting, sound kinda harsh for Aluminum. Thoughts....

samiam4 · #4 03-03-2004, 09:47 PM

Correct wurth paint is not currently available in the USA.

Michael

Greg in Oz · #5 03-04-2004, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChinaClipper
Could you tell me the brand of the "SilverWheels" product you used? Where did you buy it? Did you remove the clear coat befor using it? BTW I was told that oven cleaner is the best stuff short of blasting, sound kinda harsh for Aluminum. Thoughts....

I did not have to deal so much with peeling paint but rather thin and marked paint. I spent considerable time with a caustic cleaner (more to remove years of baked on brake dust from the inside of the wheels) without resorting to anything abrasive. If you must use something abrasive, make sure it leaves no scratches as they will show through the new paint. I next ensured the wheels were thoroughly degreased (mineral turpentine is fine). Two or three light coats of the silver spray paint followed by two coats of clear did the trick. A warm, sunny day completed the "baking" process. The "Silver Wheels" and clear coat (clear over base) paints I used were generic products ("Power Plus" brand from memory), both sold in auto accessories departments here in Oz. I cannot remember whether they were a local or imported product but I suspect the latter. It was probably more by good luck than anything that the silver was such a good match for the original. Only the keenest eye would pick any difference in colour or finish. If you look at the picture I posted above, the wheel was as I painted it whereas the centre cap is original as by MB.

donbryce · #6 03-04-2004, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Correct wurth paint is not currently available in the USA.

It sure is available in Canada. I get mine from UAP, through my buddy's shop. A quick check in google produced lots of US sources. For example,

http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/ShopCart/GADG/POR_GADG_WUGARG-detail.htm

If you want the exact part number, let me know and I'll post when I get home. I don't know how they do it, but the pressure and nozzle on their cans is the BEST rattle can spray I've ever used, nice and soft, lays down easily so runs are even hard to produce, and the clearcoat is tough as nails. I wouldn't think of using anything else, period.

This really ought to be in the detailing forum, too.

ChinaClipper · #7 03-04-2004, 02:45 PM

Part numbers would be great! If you can't I'll shop around and post what I found out here in the Rockies! Thanks again! Clip...

donbryce · #8 03-04-2004, 07:46 PM

Base is 'Metallic Silver', 082 181 - A. Clear coat is 'Transparant', 0892 180 - A. I hope you can get this stuff. I swear by it for color and durability.

samiam4 · #9 03-04-2004, 10:18 PM

Don,

Tried your link. They sell wurth products, but do NOT have any silver laquer wheel paint!! I tried more obscure places- George Murphy, Carecareonline etc.. Nobody's got the stuff and it's on back order to Germany.

Last time I gave up completely on Wurth because EPA wouldn't let them import the paint or some crap. Must have been wrong-because they had it for a year or two.... then I need it and it's unavailable.
Someone had mentioned previously buying the paint from Mercedes(?). Griots garage has silver paint which they are proud of...
There has got to be something other than "duplicolor" in a can!

Michael

donbryce · #10 03-05-2004, 06:53 AM

Wow, that's very strange, but I certainly do understand when it comes to environmental issues and government regulations. We had a couple here in Canada that went to jail for importing R12 - would've gotten off easier with mary jane. Let me investigate further. Ironically, you may end up importing Wurth from the great white north!

Since66 · #11 03-05-2004, 04:03 PM

ChinaClipper: I have the original spare wheel from my '86 300E. It is mounted with the original spare tire (Conti 195-65-15V) It has been on the ground a total of 3 1/2 minutes and both rim and tire are unblemished and indistinguishable from new. Interested?

samiam4 · #12 03-05-2004, 07:48 PM

Maybe I should ask my friends to research their Mexico wurth connections??

Michael

ChinaClipper · #13 03-06-2004, 12:00 PM

I am interested......How much? Where are you located, I am in Denver.......

Since66 · #14 03-08-2004, 02:41 PM

CC: Sorry for the delay in answering. I was out of the pocket for the week-end. I'll take $125 for the wheel, the 18 year old tire is a throw-in. I'm in Overland Park, Ks., just a "bit"

east of Denver on I-70.
Can you fly over and drop a long bungee cord?