Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
108 Refurbishment and Customisation
- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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..
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??
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).
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:
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.
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..
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??
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).
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:
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
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
-
- Member
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:47 am
- Location: Cambridgshire
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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
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.
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.
- NormStrm
- Member
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:54 am
- Location: East Anglia
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Very impressive, look forward to seeing on the car to get the full impact.
Thanks for sharing.
Norman
Thanks for sharing.
Norman
- Smokin
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2426
- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:46 pm
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Nicely done!!!
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.
- Wondermike
- Moderator
- Posts: 10483
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:16 pm
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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?
If the lacquer fails so badly, why don't BMW just leave it off and have a polished rim instead?
- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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.
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
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
- easty027
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2151
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:34 pm
- Location: South Manchester & East Yorkshire
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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.
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7672
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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!
- 561design
- Member
- Posts: 401
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 1:59 pm
- Location: Woodstock,Ga
- Contact:
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Damn that looks freakin good. Nice work on the color selection. It's got my brain thinking now.
Charles
flickr
flickr
-
- Member
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:27 pm
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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!
Very smart looking they are. 10 out of 10 for effort. Stunning!
- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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.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.
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
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
- gannet
- Lifer
- Posts: 10086
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:45 am
- Location: Surrey
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Awesome, I like
love to see 'em on the car
love to see 'em on the car
-- Gannet.
Current: MINI JCW... - Modification: Driver Upgraded
Previous: DS3 DSport, Z4 3.0SE, 206 GTi & XS, Alfa 147 Lusso
Current: MINI JCW... - Modification: Driver Upgraded
Previous: DS3 DSport, Z4 3.0SE, 206 GTi & XS, Alfa 147 Lusso
- GAZA62
- Lifer
- Posts: 4173
- Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:31 pm
- Location: KENT
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Superb job look really good
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.?
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
IF IT WAS NOT FOR BAD LUCK I'D HAVE NO LUCK AT ALL
- cj10jeeper
- Lifer
- Posts: 17846
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 am
- Location: Lichfield, England
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
Thanks for the complimentGAZA62 wrote:Superb job look really good
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.?
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
Gone but not forgotten Z4 3.0i SE Roadster ///M front, Red ///M leather seats, Aero sills
-
Onlinesrhutch
- Moderator
- Posts: 26959
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:22 pm
- Location: East Sussex, UK
- Contact:
Re: 108 Refurbishment and Customisation
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.
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.