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108 refurb project - How i did it

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tdz840
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by tdz840 » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:43 pm

Rudd_2002 wrote:Ok guys so I finally braved the DIY 108 refurbishment. I had loads of help from people, especially CJ10Jeeper, so I thought the least I could do was a write up to say thanks and help other people.

STEP 1

The first step was to give the 108’s a good wash just to keep my workspace clean and so u could assess all of the damage.
I then used an 8mm 12 tooth spline and a ratchet to crack the bolts before using a drill to extract all of the bolts

NOTE: Count and store all of the bolts in a bag! There are 80 in total

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STEP 2

I pulled the wheels apart one by one and clearly marked them with 1-4 centre punches in a place that wouldn’t be seen once the wheels were complete.

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Step 3

Ok so now for the messy bit, getting the paint off. I used Nitro Mors paint stripper (2.5 litres) to do the job.

NOTE: Be safe, you don’t want this stuff splashing in your eyes or getting on your skin, use goggles and gloves to protect yourself and try to have running water close by in case you have an accident.

I followed the steps on the tin, hosing each major application off thoroughly and then repeating the process in order to get all of the paint and lacquer off.
Once I was satisfied with the results I washed the wheels with warm soapy water to get any excess paint stripper off.

NOTE: I left the centre spokes for the professionals so only stripped the outer rim.

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Step 4

Now to get the corrosion off, sanding with discs was my chosen method, plus I know a guy who works at a body shop and they were free.
I used a massive range, 240, 500, 1000, 1200, 1500 and 2000 grit discs to do the job.
Where the rim wouldn’t be seen (the joining face) I used as low as 240 as the corrosion was quite thick, take your time and be careful, you don’t want a paper this course touching the outer edge of the rim as it will take forever to polish out.
I then used 500 to finish the joining faces and to grind off the corrosion from the rest of the inner rim (behind where the spokes would be).

To polish the inner part of the wheel I used 1000 and 1200 grit wet and dry to bring a slightly brighter finish.

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On the outer, most visible part of the rim I used 1000 to get the corrosion off before moving to 1200 and later 2000 wet and dry. This removed corrosion and polished out sanding marks.
At this point I was fairly happy with the results, a dull, almost machined finish to the outer rim and no corrosion left.

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Step 5

I set about polishing the outer edge of the rim and was very impressed with the results of polishing each rim for about 20 minutes.

I used a fairly hard polishing disc with pink compound first, then a soft finishing disc with blue compound to finish.

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Step 6:

At this point I had sent the spokes to the wheel specialists in Newcastle at a cost of £150 for any finish. I chose black chrome, the rims are powder coated black and then flashed with chrome effect paint before being covered with powder lacquer.
This took a day and I was amazed with the results!

I applied wax to the parts straight away (thick coats on the back, un-buffed for winter)

So on to putting the wheels back together. As I chose not to paint and lacquer the inner rim, leaving it as bare metal I needed a way to protect the alloy. I used wax oil (usually used as an under body sealant) between the two part of the wheel (where the bolt holes on the rim are).

I put one thin coat on and left to dry, then one slightly thicker coat and applied a little to the corresponding face of the spoked rim piece.

While these coats were still wet I put the rim together, wiped off any excess wax oil and tightened up the bolts using the ratchet.

NOTE: Be patient, you don’t want to ruin your rims by slipping with the tools at this point.

Once the tyres are fitted I will wax the wheels thoroughly, put the carbon centres in and fit to the car. (Pics will follow)

NOTE: During the winter I want to keep as much salt off the wheels as possible, every night I plan to swill the wheels with soapy water when I get home, hopefully to reduce the risk of the corrosion coming back.


I just want to say thanks to all the guys that I pestered for help and take the opportunity to say what a great forum this is!

HERE ARE THE RIMS (Pictures on the car to follow)


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Cheers guys :thumbsup:
How are the polished lips holding up on your 108s, worth the effort to leave unlacquered or would you apply some form of proitection?
Cheers
Russ

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Rudd
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:47 pm

i havent fitted them yet :P was ill before xmas when i was meant to so i never got round to it. i will be doing it tomorrow hopefully. i will let you know asap though :thumbsup:

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cj10jeeper
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by cj10jeeper » Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:10 pm

I wouldn't fit them without lacquer. I tried and in a matter of a few days they wer corroding. One run on salty roads and I was done for. Took them off stripped down, quick polish up and sealed. Never looked back, but I learnt the hard way not to try to keep them 'bare'

Perhaps if I polished them each time after a trip adn dried them it would have worked but too much a labour of love.
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills

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sk93
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by sk93 » Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:20 am

so.. come summer.. wanna do mine? :P
:zzzz:

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Rudd
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:10 am

:P i actually quite enjoyed it, once you get going its hard to stop.

i would do it again, but honestly its not that hard and worth giving it a go your self :thumbsup:

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Rudd
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:04 pm

well better late than never.

i gave the car a wash and inspected the wheels today, there is no visible corrosion from the massive amounts of salt on the roads lately. i have been washing them every night and waxing them with quite a thick layer to protect them.

here you go, the difference from OEM is fairly hard to see from straight on, when you move around the car and view them at an angle the black shadows really stand out.

Image

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Z4Tim
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Z4Tim » Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:57 am

they look the nuts mate, :thumbsup:

mine are being sorted this week decided not to do them myself so gave them to lepsoms to sort!!!!

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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:29 pm

nice one, what finish are you going for?

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Wondermike
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Wondermike » Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:58 pm

Rudd_2002, they look ace. Got any more pics from further back please? :thumbsup:

I just did my summer wheels too, can't wait to get them on.

Image Image Image

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cj10jeeper
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by cj10jeeper » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:00 pm

Wondermike wrote:Rudd_2002, they look ace. Got any more pics from further back please? :thumbsup:

I just did my summer wheels too, can't wait to get them on.

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They look ace too :thumbsup:
Jaguar F-Type 3.0 Supercharged V6 S, Stratus Grey, LSD, Active Exhaust, CF wheels, Performance brakes, Sports seats and mods ongoing
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills

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Rudd
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:01 pm

they look great, stealthy looking!

ill take some this week, i went looking for a good spot to take some nice pics today but fell a little short of time.

are they BMW wheels? no?

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Wondermike
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Wondermike » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:08 pm

Cheers :thumbsup:

Off my SLK, did these last year like yours but wanted something a bit darker this time. I was going for matt black but glad I didn't now.

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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Rudd » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:11 pm

do the merc wheels fit? for some reason i thought the stud pattern was different.

do you still have the slk? what are they like compared to the zed?

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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Wondermike » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:20 pm

They fit my SLK :D

Yeah I had a 2005 pre-facelift 3.0 which I sold 2.5 years ago to get the SLK which I still have - http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic ... 5133#p5133

Wish I'd bought a Z4M though - you live and learn :headbang: :lol:

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Machine monkey
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Re: 108 refurb project - How i did it

Post by Machine monkey » Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:40 pm

Wow Just got a zed and have 108s witch need some TLC. Was thinking about a darker Finnish as i have a silver car. I am sold your wheels look awesome Rudd. Time to break out the nitro morse. Great idea Alan J with the silicon.
My little blue zed is in lots of bits. With lots of things started and not many finished! I may have found the limits of my time and ability!!

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