Jukka
09-05-2012, 07:04 PM
So I have taken on the task of refinishing a set of wheels I recently purchased.
Anyways, so as I start taking them apart and refinish them, I will post up the how-to procedures and explain the process so that if someone else feels advantageous and wants to try it them selves, they can with some guidance.
On that note, I am not responsible for your actions, so if you decide to use this guide, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!
So, lets get started shall we?
I started off by purchasing a set of old school Enkei RS-Evolutions in 16x7 from a guy who's owned them since new. I didn't know they were 3 piece at the time of purchase, but made the happy discovery soon there after.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/526097_10151137214592356_191509302_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228474_10151137375947356_2074401727_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400483_10151137376042356_42808350_n.jpg
When I decided to take on the task of refinishing them, I had to figure out what I was gonna do for them, colour wise. So I am planning on doing polished lips, gunmetal faces, polished hardwear, black barrels.
So the first step I took with them was washing them/getting rid of most of the brake dust on the wheels.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/527006_10151138343107356_1429390079_n.jpg
I use a microfiber wheel brush and use Auto Glym wheel cleaner, that works really well. But feel free to use what you want.
The second step was getting the junk tires off the wheels.
3rd step is to remove the bolt in valve stem. On these particular wheels, they required a 9/16th wrench to crack off the bolt on the inside barrel.
Once the bolt is removed, I removed the stem with a bit of force, and a bit of WD40. They should come out relatively easily, but the seals I had were pretty much welded to the barrel.
The next step was to clean up the valves them selves. When they came out, they were pretty oxidized.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418853_10151141741452356_1648956984_n.jpg
So to clean them up, I used a stainless steel wire brush
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548015_10151141741767356_1714290446_n.jpg
after the oxidization and dirt was taken off, I hit them up with some Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish to give them a great shine
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546236_10151141742107356_701771655_n.jpg
and that's where I'm at right now. The next step will be tomorrow of breaking down the wheels into the three pieces and from there, start the refinishing process.
Anyways, so as I start taking them apart and refinish them, I will post up the how-to procedures and explain the process so that if someone else feels advantageous and wants to try it them selves, they can with some guidance.
On that note, I am not responsible for your actions, so if you decide to use this guide, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!
So, lets get started shall we?
I started off by purchasing a set of old school Enkei RS-Evolutions in 16x7 from a guy who's owned them since new. I didn't know they were 3 piece at the time of purchase, but made the happy discovery soon there after.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/526097_10151137214592356_191509302_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228474_10151137375947356_2074401727_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400483_10151137376042356_42808350_n.jpg
When I decided to take on the task of refinishing them, I had to figure out what I was gonna do for them, colour wise. So I am planning on doing polished lips, gunmetal faces, polished hardwear, black barrels.
So the first step I took with them was washing them/getting rid of most of the brake dust on the wheels.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/527006_10151138343107356_1429390079_n.jpg
I use a microfiber wheel brush and use Auto Glym wheel cleaner, that works really well. But feel free to use what you want.
The second step was getting the junk tires off the wheels.
3rd step is to remove the bolt in valve stem. On these particular wheels, they required a 9/16th wrench to crack off the bolt on the inside barrel.
Once the bolt is removed, I removed the stem with a bit of force, and a bit of WD40. They should come out relatively easily, but the seals I had were pretty much welded to the barrel.
The next step was to clean up the valves them selves. When they came out, they were pretty oxidized.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418853_10151141741452356_1648956984_n.jpg
So to clean them up, I used a stainless steel wire brush
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548015_10151141741767356_1714290446_n.jpg
after the oxidization and dirt was taken off, I hit them up with some Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish to give them a great shine
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546236_10151141742107356_701771655_n.jpg
and that's where I'm at right now. The next step will be tomorrow of breaking down the wheels into the three pieces and from there, start the refinishing process.