Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

108 Refurbishment and Customisation

User avatar
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 17846
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Lichfield, England

108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by cj10jeeper » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:09 pm

Those of you who know me well, know that I can’t stop doing little projects, so having got a set of 108’s on the Zed and really liked the look, I wondered if I could do something just a little different to the norm.

As luck would have it I grabbed a second set on Ebay, which were badly corroded, but almost no kerbing. They were displaying the advanced stages of the infamous lacquer failure, so they were the basis of the project.

Local tyre shop got rid of the old RFT’s for me and a 12 point spline set was sourced from http://www.toolmix.com
Pretty easy job to break them down using a rachet to ‘crack’ the bolts and then a power driver in low gear to spin them out. (with 80 bolts I didn’t fancy RSI) .

Well, just so you don’t think I started with a perfect set here’s the state of the rims..

Image

Image

First step was lacquer off and I chose some good old Nitromors as it’s a thick gel and potent. It blistered the old lacquer off in minutes with a bit of agitation.
OMG – what was under that lacquer??

Image

Image

The next step was to brighten up the rims with 400, 800 and then 1200 grade paper. These quickly removed tarnish creating a smooth, void of any minor grazes, but a dull surface.

To get a mirror shine I opted to buy a specialist buffing kit from the very helpful people at Merlin Abrasives They assembled me a whole series of polishing pads, polish, arbor and Vienna Lime (don’t ask me but it removes excess polish).

Image

As always I hate work, so I opted for a flexible drive off a bench stand drill, to create a powerful flexible buffer with the supplied 4” mop as the base tool
10 minutes per side of buffing and they turned to a mirror finish.
Advise from Merlin was to not lacquer, as for sure they would go again, as quite simply you can’t stop water getting under the lacquer from kerbing, even tyre fitting or a stone chip. On mine one major fault on one rim was a dented star point that had touched the rim. 3 coats of Poorboys now seal the rims so all they ever need is a once a month wipe around.

The inner faces were in good condition and just a few minor dings, but since these are ‘inside’ a couple of coats of steel wheel silver and then lacquer, had them pristine.

The stars I wanted different, so after Herminator did me a few photoshops which helped crystalise what I had in mind - a colour that was in harmony with Sterling grey, but not a flat paint finish. I tracked a local guy down who for £140, stripped back to bare, fixed minor imperfections, powder coated black and baked. That was followed by a transparent chrome wet paint and lacquered to create a wonderful smoked chrome look.
(Strangely he has in the last week purchased a 108 to do up in a similar way as a shop exhibit so I guess he liked the outcome)

So the exciting bit of putting them together. Matching the right casting to rim and bolting together with Locktite and torque up.

The end result I really like, but you’ll have to wait until the New Year when I’m allowed by Mrs CJ to get a set of Falkens and put them on. For now I’m putting them on the shelf and keeping the existing on as a Winter set.

I’ll try to get some better photos and substitute later, but for now you get the idea:

Image

The indoor photo does make them look darker than in reality where they are much more shiny and reflective bringing a depth through and a great shade to work with the Sterling Grey.
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

Sceptre
Member
Member
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:47 am
Location: Cambridgshire

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by Sceptre » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:18 pm

I like.

I am sure to follow this diy instruction in the new year.
I'm hunting some 108's over coming months.

Many thanks for the excellent write up and photos.

Scepte
----------------------------
03 Z4 3.0i 6 speed, Xenon, Cruise, 18" elips, Sat Nav, Mod CDV, cup holders, K&N, OEM Strut Brace, Eibach Pro, Reinhold Roof Module, Wind Deflector.
Image

User avatar
NormStrm
Member
Member
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:54 am
Location: East Anglia

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by NormStrm » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:24 pm

Very impressive, look forward to seeing on the car to get the full impact.

Thanks for sharing.

Norman
Image Image
Z4 SDrive20i M Sport - Alpine White - Coral Red Kansas Leather - Comfort pack - Heated seats

User avatar
Smokin
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2426
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:46 pm
Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by Smokin » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:31 pm

Nicely done!!! :happyclap:
2007 3.0si coupe, sapphire black, saddle brown extended leather, heated M seats, premium package, sport package, Carver, light poplar wood trim, xenon, headlight washers, 6 spd. Member BMWCCA, ZSCCA, Homecoming 08 Pirate.

User avatar
Wondermike
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10469
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:16 pm

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by Wondermike » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:55 pm

Very nice indeed, like my SLK ones in shadow chrome, it is much darker but you can still see the curved and reflections.

If the lacquer fails so badly, why don't BMW just leave it off and have a polished rim instead?

User avatar
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 17846
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Lichfield, England

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by cj10jeeper » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:06 am

Glad you guys like the outcome.

Mike - I can only offer my opinion that the lacquer is great when the car is launched and has tyres correcty fitted at the factory, however real world condition, kerbing soon breach it. Secondly no lacquer does mean it will need a wipe over with Poorboys, wax, etc, every so often and BMW/owners would never expect to do that.
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

User avatar
easty027
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2151
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:34 pm
Location: South Manchester & East Yorkshire

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by easty027 » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:13 am

awesome write up, looking forward to seeing them on the car. Mine are really knackered looking inside the rim, i will dig out the photos and post the piccies, would appreciate it if you could maybe give some advise as i am looking to do similar to you, but need to do something with the inner part fo the wheel.
Image

Online
User avatar
paddy wright
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 7625
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
Location: south yorkshire

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by paddy wright » Wed Dec 24, 2008 12:20 am

nice job- be interesting to see what they look like on the car!
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!

User avatar
561design
Member
Member
Posts: 401
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 1:59 pm
Location: Woodstock,Ga
Contact:

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by 561design » Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:51 am

Damn that looks freakin good. Nice work on the color selection. It's got my brain thinking now. :evil:
Charles
flickr

Z4monster
Member
Member
Posts: 306
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:27 pm

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by Z4monster » Wed Dec 24, 2008 6:52 am

After removing the bolts did you replace or reuse the originals? Have you torqued them up again or just done them 'Tight!' ?

Very smart looking they are. 10 out of 10 for effort. Stunning!
Image

User avatar
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 17846
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Lichfield, England

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by cj10jeeper » Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:50 am

easty027 wrote:awesome write up, looking forward to seeing them on the car. Mine are really knackered looking inside the rim, i will dig out the photos and post the piccies, would appreciate it if you could maybe give some advise as i am looking to do similar to you, but need to do something with the inner part fo the wheel.
easty - There were a few minor nicks on the inner faces of mine. I assume where the previous owner had hit them against the caliper or disk while fitting. I flattened those off with a file then keyed the surface with 600 grade and sprayed. If yours are serious marks I suggest normal car body filler, flatten it off prime and thne paint. Since its been so cold I preheated each rim with a rotary fan heater stood inside until warm to the touch (not hot) Just makes the paint work better.

Z4 monster yes I reused the bolts for couple reasons: They were all intact on removal, I had not got a readily available alternative of known quality and grade and the wheel shops reuse them all the time. Each was hand tightened in star sequence and then I 'felt' a torque I liked (I've been messing and building cars for 30+ yrs.). Checked it to be 30lb/ft, so then sequence set them all with a torque wrench. Each was fitted using Locktite. I will be checking them at 100 and 500 miles once on the car.
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

User avatar
gannet
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 10086
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:45 am
Location: Surrey

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by gannet » Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:31 am

Awesome, I like :D

love to see 'em on the car :thumbsup:
-- Gannet.
Current: MINI JCW... - Modification: Driver Upgraded :D
Previous: DS3 DSport, Z4 3.0SE, 206 GTi & XS, Alfa 147 Lusso

User avatar
GAZA62
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4173
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:31 pm
Location: KENT

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by GAZA62 » Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:15 pm

Superb job look really good :thumbsup:

What was the recomendation from the wheel boys on the bare metal outer rim to keep them tip top would a normal metal polish like autosol be OK.?
T.SILVER 2004 3.0SE AUTO

IF IT WAS NOT FOR BAD LUCK I'D HAVE NO LUCK AT ALL

User avatar
cj10jeeper
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 17846
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
Location: Lichfield, England

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by cj10jeeper » Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:29 pm

GAZA62 wrote:Superb job look really good :thumbsup:

What was the recomendation from the wheel boys on the bare metal outer rim to keep them tip top would a normal metal polish like autosol be OK.?
Thanks for the compliment :)

The suppliers of the buffing kit recommended not lacquering and my own observation too showed it would break down again all too soon. Their suggestion was to use any good wax to protect it, so I chose Poorboys as it's supposed to be wheel specific. Autosol IIRC is a polish so would clean them but offer no protection.

When they have been on for 6 months I will be able to comment on how well they can be maintained
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

User avatar
srhutch
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 26959
Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:22 pm
Location: East Sussex, UK
Contact:

Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation

Post by srhutch » Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:41 pm

CJ

I presume your car is not a Daily Driver. I'm just wondering about the winter with all the crap on the roads and the protection from the wax especially from the joint.

Have you considered silicone, I know we discussed it before.
Image

Post Reply