Alloy Wheel Reburbishment

[kev131]

Part of my plans to get my 131 to where I want it, is to have a set of 13inch Cromadora alloy wheels fitted as was standard on Irish spec cars when new. I was lucky to find 3 in a local newspaper classified ad about 4 years ago for ?30 to which were added 2 free ones from a generous collector of old Fiats near Dublin. The plan was to have them reburbished to new standard when my 131 materialised.

A few years ago I had presented them to a firm who specialised in this work but their opinion was that they were too far gone to economically restore and that they would be good material for a labour of love! Well motivation was not an issue and over about 4/5 sundays and using every abrasive solution known to man and B&Q I rubbed them down in readiness for the big paint job!

3 weeks ago I triumpantly returned to the same garage and satisfying mmmms and aaaahs were heard when the latest condition was displayed. A standard of finish was discussed and a price agreed - I could even have one wheel done as a test case for the colour as the number of silver shades available is amazing. This proved wise as the first choice was a little too dark. A lighter shade was selected and a date of yesterday agreed to collect the finished wheels. The last discussion last Saturday was on detail like the base coat covering any remaining minor pitting while not being too thick to made any lettering eligible. Agreement was reached to lacquer the back as well as protection against future corrosion as well as a tiny spot weld for a small rim crack.

I spoke with the painter at 7.0pm on Friday night, he confirming all wheels painted and lacquered, welding done, just wanted to see how the paint "flattens out" and all should be well to collect in the morning.

Next day several unanswered phone calls prompted me to drive to his workshop where I found my 5 wheels stacked neatly in the rain, none of them painted not to mind lacquered and no welding done. His boss and colleagues were just dumbfounded when I queried the situation and although I had not paid anything it has all been a big let down. I can only surmise that after all the assurances the painter could not get the finish we had discussed and had given up.

If this is the case I may be wasting my time. Here is a photo of the wheels. I have heard of someone having a bad experience with sand blasting and I have heard of powder coating - Not sure what this is. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get old and partially corroded and pitted alloy wheels restored properly?



Cheers

Kev

[Thotos]

The wheels don't look bad to me!
I think you simply went to the wrong spray shop to get your wheels done. The fact that you were told all those lies doesn't inspire confidence in the guy you were waiting to do the job. I too have heard stories of bad results with sandblasting but that's due to the sandblaster not doing the job properly. From the photos it doesn't look as if your wheels need to be sandblasted, just prepared and sprayed. Ask the guys in the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club and I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a reputable place to refurbish your wheels.  I'm jealous already...

[kev131]

Thanks for the response Theo - I have tracked down another company in Co Clare (actually on our circuit of Munster route!) who can do this work. Part of the preparation is based on the sand blast theory but using minute metal parts. I dont understand fully and will meet the owner shortly to discuss the process.

I dont want to just hand over the wheels and risk being disappointed later - I want to understand every step of the process before committing - Wheels are so important to the look of any car and the overall car standard is too good to be let down by a poor finish here.

[simon131]

Let us know what method you eventually settle on Kev as I have a set of 13" Cromodoras sitting in the boot of my orange 131 Special that need the same treatment!

[jseabolt]

These are the same rims that came on 1979 to 1981 Fiat 2000 Spiders. I'm not sure about the 131s although my 131 did have these when I got the car.
They could also be bought from the dealer as an option.

Now here's some confusion. The rims on my 131 where made by Speedline. The ones that came on my Spider were made by Cromadora. But look identical.

The Cromadoras have an extensive amount of powder coating. The casting on the Cromodoras are poor compared to the Speedlines. That's why I think they powder coated these wheels.

I beadblasted my Speedlines with glass beads and they really cleaned up nice.
These did not appear to be powder coated and the casting was much better.

But one particular rim was pitted really bad which I have yet to figure out why. So I pulled the spare from my Spider and beadblasted it. Due to amount of powder coating I just concentrated on the outer edge.

My plan is to polish the outer edges and paint the rest of the wheels black.

I've also got some magnesium Shelby Slots that are already mounted I'm going to install to see how well they look on the car.

[simon131]

The Speedline and Cromodoras ARE identical James. Fiat had committed to putting so many on their cars 'as standard' equipment, plus the 'optional extra' route at the time (including the 131 Racing and Sport ), that one wheel manufacturer was unable to meet the demand on it's own.

The design is Speedline and basically the Cromodoras were 'copies' knocked out in a bit of a rush, hence their 'poorer' quality.

I had a red, 1974 128 Sport L Coupe with a Speedline set fitted. The car looked fantastic!

[Kennedy of Sixmilebridge]

Apparently these guys are the best in Ireland and the UK.
Collins Engineering in Bray.
They handle classic, standard, and competion wheels.
If they cannot do it, it apparently cannot be done, it's as simple as that.

As a (poor) second chioce you could also try Revolution Engineering at 01-6010018

I was quoted 480 euro for debuckling, refurbishment and respray and high gloss polishing of the rim lip, for a set of four 18 inch Lexus wheels in the last month (Nov '06).

Please reply to me if you found this information to be of any use.
PS Try to apply for a club discount, Mr Collins seems amenable to such suggestions.
I was getting a discount from my association with Supras club of ireland.

[kev131]

Well I handed over the wheels to a guy in a hotel car park yesterday. He was advertising in the yellow pages and his business is about 60 miles away so it was easier to meet up in Limerick when he was delivering. Reassuringly he had a van with plenty of relevant signwriting and cool wheels!

Anyway he had a good look at every wheel and explained on how he will deal with each imperfection. He starts with sand blasting (not sand actually but minute metal parts to remove existing paint and any raised corroded parts.)  He then applies fine filler by hand to smooth out the remaining nicks, grazes, scores and ripples to achieve a smooth finish all round. Finally primer, paint and lacquer, to both sides!

Same price as the last guy and he sounds as if he knows what he is talking about. Also says things like work is guaranteed and if unhappy with anything I can ask him to have a go again. Knows I am looking for a show car finish so fingers crossed that we get there.

I should have the wheels back by mid Jan so I'll pop a photo and update on the site then.

Cheers

Kev

[Kennedy of Sixmilebridge]

Any luck with your refurbished alloys, Kevin?

[kev131]

Hi Graham

I'm told that the wheels have all been blasted and smoothed ready for painting. Also that I can see one finished wheel to check colour before they are all done. Hoping to see within a week or so. One they are returned I'll post some pics here.

[kev131]

Quick update on this subject.

I got one of my wheels back in "finished" condition earlier this week. It was fully painted, back and front together with a cosmetic and protective lacquer top coat.

The colour shade was fine as was the consistancy of the painting. Unfortunately the surface imperfections were not gone and the overall finish did not stand scrutiny, especially not lined up alongside many other nice 131s in May!!!?

So....next option which the guy has kindly investigated for me is a powder coat finish from another firm who believe that this technique will deliver a smooth finish all over.

Watch this space - If this final option fails I will looking at the firm in Dublin that you mentioned Graham...or following Theo and whatever set of wheels he buys!?

[Thotos]

I was talking with Mark Nicholson of Italian Race Services once about the merits of the Wynn's Oil Stop Leak and the fact that they claim it "revitalises rubber O-rings" and he said "the only thing that can revitalise an O-ring is a new O-ring". Sounds obvious really but it's true!

Are you being too fussy about the refurbishment of your wheels? I think Mark would say "the only thing that will make the wheels look like new, is new wheels!"   

Did you take a photo of the sample refurbishment? If you did let us see how fussy you really are.

[kev131]

I should have come prepared for a photo but I was so sure that the result would be good that I thought I would be paying up and taking delivery.

I know what you are saying Theo, but I could tell from the guy's body language that he didnt expect me to be satisfied as when he got the job originally we studied every imperfection on every wheel together, and I was told how each type would be treated to achieve an absolute smooth finish.

I'm only asking the questions about what is possible and if I'm told the wheels can be to "show standard", ...and then they are not.... I am going to be disappointed.

I am coming around to the O ring theory though. The rest of the car is too good to let it down by poor cosmetics in the wheels dept.

[Thotos]

The rest of the car is too good

Kevin, having seen you car I'd like to correct you by confirming your car is extremely good (in fact absolutely superb and the best I've seen for years) but it can never be 'too' good. 

[Kennedy of Sixmilebridge]

The rest of the car is too good

Kevin, having seen you car I'd like to correct you by confirming your car is extremely good (in fact absolutely superb and the best I've seen for years) but it can never be 'too' good. 

I second that...