The wheels on my car are not looking their best, the lacquer is coming off all over the place, and I would like to get them refurbed, but not sure I want to have them re-lacquered again, are there other options to consider ( ideally more hard wearing paint applications that are more durable and robust perhaps)

Last edited by pcourtney on 5th Aug 2023 1:11pm. Edited 1 time in total

Are you talking about the diamond turned areas....?

When they diamond turn it all they can do is clear coat the turned areas...

To "properly" finish the wheel it needs an etching coat first to ensure the paint stays on, unfortunately they don't make a clear etching coat so the clear coat just falls off the alloy...

You have to live with it or get them refurbished in colour all over... or only use them during the summer months and wash them regularly...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Mine are just 15 spoke alloys, but as you can see in the second photo, the lacquer just flakes off, so I really want something that's a bit more up to the task on our horrible salt roads, there must be something more durable but still looks OK after a few years, is powder coating still the preferred choice for these wheel refurb shops ?

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

You're always going to struggle with diamond cut wheels in this country as they spend so much of their life damp or covered in salt which accelerates the aluminium corrosion. The problem is that the clear lacquer or powder has limited ability to etch into the bare aluminium, even with various acid etch components added, as you both need it to not damage/dull the finish of the 'cut' aluminium, but also adhere to the near polished effect of the 'cut' surface with very little key. Basically, you're . Once you get a tiny chip in there water can creep under the clear powdercoat/lacquer which gives you the white worm effect your wheels have there. Most aluminium wheels are either left with a slightly rough finish after acid dipping, or they're lightly keyed by blasting to help the powder coat to stick.

Solid paint or powder coat will both work fine for you. Shadow chrome can be a reasonable colour if you like the DC, a lot of BMW guys do that, as it usually looks noticeably brighter on the faces than in the spokes. It doesn't replicate diamond cutting but it can add a lot of depth to the wheel.

The faces of the spokes on your wheels are diamond cut which is why they’re suffering more than the rest of the wheels.

I can only echo what others have said about diamond cut wheels being a nightmare due to the climate. In the 5 years I had my XFR I had the wheels done 3 times and they needed done a 4th time when I sold it.

The best solution to sort your wheels out with a tougher finish would be to have them powder coated all one colour and not have those bits diamond cut again.

If you wanted to keep with an original finish, the wheels on your car were available all in one colour with a shadow chrome finish.

Click image to enlarge

I was just going to say, if the diamond turning effect isn't that important to you? The wheels were also available in a shadow chrome effect paint which is the best compromise...

Unfortunately UK roads in the winter do not mix with diamond turned wheels...

……….. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Last edited by Gremlin500 on 9th Apr 2024 10:30pm. Edited 1 time in total

And there was me thinking the shadow chrome was slightly more bling than the diamond cut effect Gremlin!

……….. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Last edited by Gremlin500 on 9th Apr 2024 10:30pm. Edited 1 time in total

Shadow Chrome it is - thanks everyone fo the input - much appreciated

Good choice sir...

………. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Last edited by Gremlin500 on 9th Apr 2024 10:29pm. Edited 1 time in total

Is it true that they are powder coated black first to get the shadow chrome effect ??

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A shadow chrome finish will produce a ‘gun metal’ finish which is darker in appearance. Our technicians prepare the alloys with an initial powder coated layer in black before being baked under heat to allow it to flow and form a “skin like” base layer that is very durable.

Once fully cured, a very thin layer of silver paint is sprayed over the powder coat base. Finally, a thin clear coat of lacquer is applied as a final protective layer. The end result is a three-dimensional finish with a nice depth producing a wheel with a striking finish.

Yep...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

………. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Last edited by Gremlin500 on 9th Apr 2024 10:29pm. Edited 1 time in total