15" bundt painting project

[s class]

I have in the past refurbished many 14" bundts, but always by meticulously cleaning, and then rubbing down with wet/dry paper, and primin only the areas that needed it. 

This was my plan for my 15" bundts, but the other thread on cleaning the inside of wheels made me feel dissatisfied with leaving the insides in their current crusty state, so I have changed my approach.  I have spent the last few evenings stripping them down to bare aluminium using paint stripper.  I a stripping inside, outside, everywhere.  I will post pics soon.

Ryan

[s class]

Some pics for you.  These were taken before I started stripping the inside. 







and then just for those who still don't believe in unicorns :



In that last photo especially you can still see the crud in the ventilation slots.  That's what I'm working on now...

Looking forward to when this project is complete. 

[Des]

These are going on your 116?

do they say on the wheels who made them?

Will be nice when they are all done

[s class]

Des,

Those extra pics should answer your questions.  I may use them on the 280SE, but I fear theft ofthe wheels or complete car, so thay will only be for occasional club use.  Long term plans are that they must go onto a 6.9 when I eventually get one. 

Ryan

[Des]

Nice very nice,

Some of these were made in the UK,

well if you are worried about theft I will gladly take them off your hands. 

[s class]

Does anyone know anything about bare alloy?  Having seen my 15's stripped, they look great.  Today I say a S600 W140 at my breakers, and the alloys have been stripped and polished.  I liked it and thought about it for my S500.  My concern is wouldn't it oxidise?

Anyone have experience with this?

Ryan

[gregdeklerk]

My gut feel would be that you have to coat them with some kind of epoxy or clear.

[Papalangi]

www.eastwoodco.com has all the polishing and coating stuff to get them shiny and keep them that way.

It's a ton of work to polish them but once they are coated, they should stay clean for quite a while.

Michael

[s class]

Well FINALLY an update.

I had 4 wheels, three of which were Centra 15x7.5J et23 - ideal - the 4th was a different brand which I was later devastatd to find out - after stripping - is actually a TRX size wheel, and therefore useless.  In November I finally managed to procure a 4th Centra 15x7.5Jet23 (identical to the original 3) from a seller in Germany.  It cost rather a lot, and suffered a lot from salt corrosion - but at least it matched and runs true.  10 days or so ago I sent them off to my ultrasonics crowd (gave up on the hand stripping) and I got them back a few days ago back in their virgin metal state.  They are a sight to behold.  Photos soon, painting when work eventually gives me a bit of time. 

[gregdeklerk]

Which car are you planning to put them on?

[s class]

Welcome back Greg -

I'm not sure where they'll go - probably trusty rusty.