[98///M3]

So, after many searches of the forum and of the internet as a whole, I am still unsure as to how I should go about refinishing my polished LTW wheels. I will have the tires dismounted, and will be cleaning and restoring them myself. I have an aircraft-grade paint stripper that I will use to remove the clear coat, but I am still confused as to which part is painted silver, which is polished& cleared, etc. Does anyone know this for sure? I am looking to do this myself, I DO NOT want to pay $600 to have them refinished.


As for the wheels, there are some scratches on one of the rears, a gouge on one, curb rash (albeit not much) on all 4 wheels, and on one of the fronts, there is this weird white stuff on the face that I cannot get off, no matter what i try.


Any and all input is welcomed and appreciated.

[white-hot]

I understand your desire to save the $600 for a proper refinish, but I kinda doubt you will be happy with the outcome of a DIY. For that kinda money they should strip, fill all the imperfections and properly paint, polish and clear the wheels. Unless you have some professional painting and polishing gear it will be nearly impossible to get the finish the wheel originally came with. None of the DIY kits will be able to compete with a real spray gun for quality of paint surface either.

As to what surfaces get what, the polished LTW's I have seen have the center painted, the lip polished and the whole wheel cleared.

Good luck in any case. And just for a reference, here is a pic provided by Jim E. a while back.

[Dizzeep]

^that looks great

[SteveTVM3]

I'd like to know what clear they use from the factory? It seems to be thicker and more flexible (almost like they laminate them). My LTW's are in really good shape with a little spot of wrinkled clear on of the rears. I'd like to get them refinished. However, the only thing that's stopping me is knowing that the new clear won't be nearly as durable as the original.

[KBuva06]

why do people pay up to $600+ to refinish these things when you can order brand new ones for $350 each?

[98///M3]

Originally Posted by white-hot

I understand your desire to save the $600 for a proper refinish, but I kinda doubt you will be happy with the outcome of a DIY. For that kinda money they should strip, fill all the imperfections and properly paint, polish and clear the wheels. Unless you have some professional painting and polishing gear it will be nearly impossible to get the finish the wheel originally came with. None of the DIY kits will be able to compete with a real spray gun for quality of paint surface either.

As to what surfaces get what, the polished LTW's I have seen have the center painted, the lip polished and the whole wheel cleared.

Good luck in any case. And just for a reference, here is a pic provided by Jim E. a while back.

Thanks man. That's what is appeared to be when I looked at them. With regards to the proper gear: I do have a complete air gun set-up that my dad and I share. His best friend is an AMP and has ~20 years of painting experience, and will be helping me. I may have access to his booth in a month or two also

So basically what I'm planning on doing is:

-Strip old clear coat using methylene chloride
-Repair and/or fill any and all imperfections, sand down
- sand entire painted surface, and re-polish lip
-Paint centers with silver-matched paint
-clear the whole wheel (3-5 coats)

I will not be using rattle can paint or anything cheap. I fully intend to do this the proper way, and I intend to make a finished product equal to anything i could get from a wheel shop.

Once again, thanks.

and that Polished/Stamped is

[98///M3]

Originally Posted by KBuva06

why do people pay up to $600+ to refinish these things when you can order brand new ones for $350 each?

Because $1400>>>$600.

[Sharocks]

Get them refinished professionally, diamond polished lips and OEM in the center.

I'm getting mine refinished in June exactly like these ones, best LTW's I have ever seen period.

[shervinguy]

please take lots of pictures if you can and a DIY would be useful if it were possible

[KBuva06]

Originally Posted by 98///M3

Because $1400>>>$600.

Sell your current set of rims for $600 then your looking at $800 >>> $600 by your logic.

I dunno, maybe it's just me but I would rather have an unscathed/unfinished/unbastardized brand new factory set for that extra $200 than refinishing some 100k+ mile two decade old ones.