polishing steelies

Robi mk4 · Post by **Robi mk4** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:49 pm

me and mk4 bandit may be taking over attempting to polish standard steelies, can any1 tell me exactly wot i need, as in parts? and also wot i need to do, is there a DIY guide?

/\ndy · Post by **/\ndy** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:01 pm

I attempted to tidy up my steelies on my mk4 a few weeks back, they look alot better than they did before, i used the following:

To remove the rust i got myself some wet and dry sanding paper, used it all over the wheel to create an even surface.

Rinsed off the excess with a hose.

Made a template to protect the tyres when applying the paint.

Applied some primer to each wheel

Let them dry (refer to paint can for drying time)

Apply the appropriate finish (went for a gun metal appearance myself)

Let them dry (again, refer to paint can)

Then i applied the laquer to protect the finish

Don't take my word for it, but thats what i did to mine, just a temporary look until i find some new alloys

Hope this helps some

Biddle · Post by **Biddle** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:27 pm

How long does it take to do each wheel properly would you say. Not that I'm lazy or anything but I just want to make sure I do it on a day when I've got enough time.

Biddle · Post by **Biddle** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:29 pm

Also can you buy the VW symbol stickers that go in the centre of the wheel, as mine are peeling off and look c**p. Cheers

henry01 · Post by **henry01** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:29 pm

alright ate i polished my bbs rm and its quite and esy thing to do, once you have stripped them that is.

you have to strip them bac to the bare metal first, from there is best to work through a few wet and dry grades, just to ensure a gd finish, from there you need to get hold of some polishing mops (google it, cant remember the site but found a good kit for the job, only 20 quid) these another thread on polishing in this section, quite a recent one, there is a link there.

once polished up its your choice if you want to protect them or not, i left mine bare for the shinnest finish, how ever mine are only going to be on my bare briefly so it didnt matter so much

hope thats a help...p.s mk4 bandit you a w****r haha

Biddle · Post by **Biddle** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:36 pm

Yeah cheers mate I just fancy having a go at it. Dunno if il put the wheels back onto the car, but just incase I do because their terrible. By the way I really like the look of the BBS rims on your car really smart. You can tell you've put alot of work into them to get them looking that good.

henry01 · Post by **henry01** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:03 pm

cheers mate. yeah it took a very long time, its an easy job, just takes ages!! if i had a job it almost wouldnt be have been possible it took that long. i found it fine where the stripped easily, but some did not want to do it easily.

the polishing bit is the easy bit. good luck with your wheels, well worth the effort

mk4_bandit · Post by **mk4_bandit** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:34 pm

Andy mate (or anybody) was just wondering if you have to take the tyres off to do it? and does any 1 know how long it will take? like biddle wanna make sure i have the time to do it.

cheers

henry01 · Post by **henry01** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:36 pm

oli mate
what part you polishing..you on msn at the mo??

/\ndy · Post by **/\ndy** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:32 pm

mk4_bandit wrote:Andy mate (or anybody) was just wondering if you have to take the tyres off to do it? and does any 1 know how long it will take? like biddle wanna make sure i have the time to do it.

cheers

Never took the tyres off, just put paper round it, but yeah as henry said oil or some other similiar substance should work fine, if not easier.

mk4_bandit · Post by **mk4_bandit** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:13 pm

sweet mate cheers,

i'll post some pics up if it gets done

omicron · Post by **omicron** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:47 pm

Take the tyre off, get em sandblasted and either prime and spray or have them powdercoated. Is all there is to it really.

Robi mk4 · Post by **Robi mk4** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:06 pm

cheers everyone we were planning on polishing the whole wheels if we ever get round to it! i was thinkin i may do my steelies or try n get hold of some standard 5 spoke vw alloys, and polish them up, as i cant rele afford aftermarket alloys, this would be a good substitue, anyone got any of the standard wheels? cheers

henry01 · Post by **henry01** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:24 pm

yep...you want them??

Robi mk4 · Post by **Robi mk4** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 7:31 pm

yea are they the chunkier standard 5 spokes, erm i think like the ones kitch was rollin on b4 he got the bbs?? not the thin lil 5 spokers?