Cromodora Wheels Grime

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
Post Reply
radiopilot

Cromodora Wheels Grime

Post by radiopilot »

Does anyone know how to remove the grime (not dirt or brake pad dust) on the alloy wheels without damaging the finish?

I tried scrubbers/abrasive solutions but can see the fisnish rubbing off, so I back out and I read somewhere about re-painting the wheels with Wurth's Wheel paints?

I'd like to have the wheels aas they where when they were new... any ideas?

Thanks...

Nick
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

I had the same problem. I scrubbed the paint right off. I guess after so many years, the paint has disintegrated.
radiopilot

Post by radiopilot »

mdrburchette wrote:I had the same problem. I scrubbed the paint right off. I guess after so many years, the paint has disintegrated.
Has anyone had experience with sandblasting and applying a powder coat finish to the wheels?

I can't see just spray painting the wheels?
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

powder coating is a good way to go, otherwise you need to use a clear sealer after painting them
radiopilot

Post by radiopilot »

Any ideas of where to send the wheels?

The aerospace companies are too overpriced to send the wheels to.

Thanks.
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

It looks like there are several companies in Georgia:

http://www.customcoaters.com/html/georgia.html
radiopilot

Post by radiopilot »

Thanks for the look up, didn't think in my neck of the woods they did this stuff...

Waiting for quotes... will post the quotes for those wishing to go this route.

They have cars in some of those websites entirely coated in powder coat... talk about no rust issues!
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

It'll be interesting to see what the cost is. I figured with all the racing around your area, there would likely be a powdercoating company.
radiopilot

Post by radiopilot »

Just a note to say I recieved quotes for powder coating the wheels at some of the Georgia shops.

They range from $45 per wheel with a $10-20 fee for stripping the wheel each for one shop, to $50-60 per wheel complete with shop colors at two other shops and slightly extra for custom colors.

So it looks like the wheels will be sent to get them powder coated, as refinishing the wheels in a spray paint like Wurth's ($18-20 per can + $15 per can for clear coat) is more costly in the long run plus the cost of stripping and cleaning the wheels prior to paint.
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Post by mdrburchette »

Sounds like a good deal. Make sure you post before and after pics in case any of us decide to go this route.
So Cal Mark

Post by So Cal Mark »

I've got some customers that had their alloy wheels powder coated and they look great and have held up for years
124cso

Re: Cromodora Wheels Grime

Post by 124cso »

Another subject that I am just about to tackle ! When I bought my car it was(is) on 14" aftermarket alloys and I've finally got a set of nearly correct year cromodoras. They look very good but not perfect so am investigating re-painting. Powdercoating was mentioned, but they bake that stuff in a low temp (relative ? ) oven which is probably o.k. ? but were cromodora Magnesium wheels heat treated at the factory ? and if so, will reheating affect them ? Remember, they are magnesium alloy, not Aluminium, that's why they are so light.
One place I spoke to say they (glass) bead blast them if needed, then they need a special etch primer to bond onto the magnesium before painting. quoting $100 a wheel.

I've found the Karcher wheel cleaner fluid @ $29.95 a bottle is useless !
Post Reply