My DIY Wheel refinish project
02-09-2008, 05:34 AM
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Well after seeing how much Powdercoating was going to cost me, I decided to refinish my extra set of wheels myself. They are the OEM 18" sport wheels that came off my 530. I went with a gloss black.
As you can see they were in pretty bad shape from the last owner:
After a 2 hour cleaning to get all the brake dust/grime off them it was time to do a final clean with a surface prep cleaner from Wurth and apply the quick dry bondo. As you can see i built it up pretty good to have a decent surface to work with:
This is what it looks like after wet sanding with 320 grit. I also removed all the clear coat from the rims with the cleaner and 320 grit.
After applying the duplicolor sandable primer, I used 800 grit to get ready for color:
Now its time for color! :
I have started with the inside of the rims. 3 coats so far hitting each coat with 1000 grit before the next. I wait about 20-30 min between coats. :
Well after 3 coats of color and 4 coats of duplicolor clearcoat enamel, here are the finished wheels. They are not perfect, but pretty decent for about 40 dollars in materials.
Enjoy!
As you can see they were in pretty bad shape from the last owner:
After a 2 hour cleaning to get all the brake dust/grime off them it was time to do a final clean with a surface prep cleaner from Wurth and apply the quick dry bondo. As you can see i built it up pretty good to have a decent surface to work with:
This is what it looks like after wet sanding with 320 grit. I also removed all the clear coat from the rims with the cleaner and 320 grit.
After applying the duplicolor sandable primer, I used 800 grit to get ready for color:
Now its time for color! :
I have started with the inside of the rims. 3 coats so far hitting each coat with 1000 grit before the next. I wait about 20-30 min between coats. :
Well after 3 coats of color and 4 coats of duplicolor clearcoat enamel, here are the finished wheels. They are not perfect, but pretty decent for about 40 dollars in materials.
Enjoy!
02-09-2008, 06:07 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530i Alpine White with Navi and Premium PackageIn progress: OEM Mtech kit, H&R Sport Springs, and 19
Wow, dude impressive! can't wait to see'em mounted. Very original for that wheel style.
02-09-2008, 06:51 AM
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My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Great Job !!
02-09-2008, 06:56 AM
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Very nice job! L have to do mine, could you pls post the actual names of the products you used. What is the actual colour of the original BMW wheel paint? Anyone know?
On april fools, l will do the misses and put brite orange pokadots on em!
On april fools, l will do the misses and put brite orange pokadots on em!
02-09-2008, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='529225' date='Feb 9 2008, 10:51 AM
Great Job !!
I dont have a picture of the clearcoat but it looks exactly like the black paint but with a clear top
02-09-2008, 07:36 AM
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Brilliant, Whach Picasso goto work! I am downloading a video someone has filmed following your post! Do you know of how the 2000 model 3 series is done as l have one these too.
02-09-2008, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by raleigh29' post='529274' date='Feb 9 2008, 02:39 PM
Well I put on a pinstripe to see how the time attack thing would look like :
Let us know how they hold up to tire mounting equipment and over the road wear and tear.
02-11-2008, 10:06 AM
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My Ride: 2007 550i..... ex
Awesome job on the DIY! If you're going to go with the red time attack stripe, you should black out the blue on the BMW center cap logo thingy. 
02-11-2008, 10:18 AM
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How much were you quoted for powder coating? I think they are about ~$50/wheel. I heard some OEM wheels are powder coated and if you don't remove completely, the new layer of paint is not going to stay very long.
Btw, does anyone knows if BMW OEM wheels (for e60) powder coated or painted?
Btw, does anyone knows if BMW OEM wheels (for e60) powder coated or painted?