DIY wheel refinishing pics

[DrewZ]

I've had a beat-up set of 17" BBS RCs in the shed for a while collecting dust, so I decided I better get off my @ss and do something with them. The wheels were polished & clearcoated, but one was badly rashed, and the clearcoat was majorly peeling on the others. I used the NASA guide that had been linked here before to fix the rash on the bad wheel. I had previously painted a set of 16" bottlecaps with Wurth silver, but decided I wanted something a little different so I bought graphite-color wheel paint (Dupli-Color). Here's what it looks like after 3 coats of the base coat. I still have to apply the clear (and finish the other 3 wheels). I'm debating whether to keep the BBS centers, or use the old-fashioned Motorsport stickers that I've had in the garage for a few years. Any opinions?


Before
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/before.jpg
After
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/after1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/after2.jpg

[shragon]

wow, nice job, looks awesome!

i'd use the bbs centers.

[zmuff]

That looks really good! I do like the graphite look. I'd go for the Motorsport centers for a splash of color. Great job.

[George M]

Love the wheels, paint type and color. Same paint type I used for restoring my basketweaves. If you really want to spend the time, you could restore the lips to original condition. My vote is for the BBS center cap.
The graphite color is really popular in the tuner community and have to say I like it.
Really looks good with certain body paint colors.
George

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I've had a beat-up set of 17" BBS RCs in the shed for a while collecting dust, so I decided I better get off my @ss and do something with them. The wheels were polished & clearcoated, but one was badly rashed, and the clearcoat was majorly peeling on the others. I used the NASA guide that had been linked here before to fix the rash on the bad wheel. I had previously painted a set of 16" bottlecaps with Wurth silver, but decided I wanted something a little different so I bought graphite-color wheel paint (Dupli-Color). Here's what it looks like after 3 coats of the base coat. I still have to apply the clear (and finish the other 3 wheels). I'm debating whether to keep the BBS centers, or use the old-fashioned Motorsport stickers that I've had in the garage for a few years. Any opinions?


Before
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/before.jpg
After
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/after1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/after2.jpg

[Michael C.]

Old school rulz.......go ///M covers

[MicahO]

Wow - Drew - Looks GREAT - love the darker color and it will look great on the black wagon. I'd go with the BBS center, or perhaps a more conventional Roundel. I like the old Motorsport center a lot, I just don't know that I like it on that wheel.....

[Jason]

i think the old M-logo is great, however, i think the BBS center looks more appropriate on that wheel. you got me thinking about my style 5's.....

[Jeff N.]

Nice/question. I need to do my 850 turbines (track set). Might go for the graphite look.

How do you plan to harden the paint? Just give it time to set or are you putting the wife's oven to good use?

Jeff

[TETSUO]

is there a site with instruction on how to prep/refinish wheels? I'd like to do it myself if I can but I dont know what I'm doing. Nice job by the way, what color is the car? Oh, and Id use the M caps, you dont see those very often at all

[DrewZ]

I used this link to repair the curb rash (http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/wheel-repair/wheel-scuff-repair.htm) and this link for the actual painting tips. (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?p=9531)

If I keep the wheels, they're going on my black touring
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/RKside.jpg


is there a site with instruction on how to prep/refinish wheels? I'd like to do it myself if I can but I dont know what I'm doing. Nice job by the way, what color is the car? Oh, and Id use the M caps, you dont see those very often at all

[DrewZ]

I'm just going to give it some time to set up before mounting any tires. I may still use the RCs for track wheels, but at least now the dust won't show up as quickly . . .


Nice/question. I need to do my 850 turbines (track set). Might go for the graphite look.

How do you plan to harden the paint? Just give it time to set or are you putting the wife's oven to good use?

Jeff