Big Booty Benz / '86 420 SE

[loekaaz]

Ok guys, kind of "bad news", my spring compressor broke this afternoon so I didn't manage to get the springs out... It was a chinese one tho haha

So no more low for now

I need to work on the wheels now, any advice on refurbishing?

Since they're in pretty bad condition I dont know how to proceed, just look at this one...

1. Remove tyre

2. Softly file down the heaviest damage with a metal file

3. Sand down the rest with grid 40 or 60 sandpaper

4. Gradually switch to higher grid sandpaper until you can switch over to Scotch Brite. Sand wet.

5. Send wheel to specialist repair shop. Let them make sure the wheel isn't crooked. Wobbly wheels are aweful

6. Re-do the rims again. Wheel repair shops do not care about polished lips

7. Mount tyre and rebalance wheel.

8. Be a happy camper

[Laef]

It's looking better since I last commented, really like the way that it sits.

But I would go for the red ones and leave the "reverse part" white, my friend has it like that and I think it looks very good. I would not do the black line unless you're going for an more aggressive look on the car.

Thanks man! It needs more low but I like it anyway!

Also thank you for comforting me in my choice, this is what I wanted to do but I wasn't sure

1. Remove tyre

2. Softly file down the heaviest damage with a metal file

3. Sand down the rest with grid 40 or 60 sandpaper

4. Gradually switch to higher grid sandpaper until you can switch over to Scotch Brite. Sand wet.

5. Send wheel to specialist repair shop. Let them make sure the wheel isn't crooked. Wobbly wheels are aweful

6. Re-do the rims again. Wheel repair shops do not care about polished lips

7. Mount tyre and rebalance wheel.

8. Be a happy camper

Damn, thx you couldn't do better haha!

Ah, the first step already bothers me, there's no place in my town for tire removal...

Oh, shame on me for asking, but is anyone painted their wheels with ("quality") cans to avoid a paint job price?

[loekaaz]

Damn, thx you couldn't do better haha!

Ah, the first step already bothers me, there's no place in my town for tire removal...

Oh, shame on me for asking, but is anyone painted their wheels with ("quality") cans to avoid a paint job price?

Stay away from any regular 1-component paint. It just isn't strong enough. One stone chip and the paint peels off immediately. I would suggest to use 2-component (2K) spray paint. Much stronger and longer lasting. Nowadays you can get 2-component paint in spraying cans as well.



TIP: DO NOT MIX 1K and 2K PAINT! This CAN cause chemical reactions!

Good luck. I'll be following

[Laef]

Got it, thanks again dude!

[Laserlite]

If you have the option is to do it like me. First check them wheels if they are straight. If yes try to find a metal workshop that can put your wheel in a lathe and get some mm's of the dish.

Been there done that..

image by Betawi Botak, on Flickr

[Laef]

Hi there

Long story short, had to cut my tires haha

I was able to find a tire shop to remove the front ones, but those were so old that the rubber was hard as stone and the guy didn't manage to do anything...

So...



Freeeeee, ok.





Then gave them a quick wash



Spy dog



This happened two days ago and I started to sand the first wheel yesterday.

Old lacker needed to go so I could start polishing, well, man that was a pain in the ass!

After a day and a half I was tired of sanding for nothing so tonight I decided to put this ''tool'' on my drill and remove this shit haha



Three other remain, and then I'll start polishing properly

Some pics of the benz to keep the hold...









And I painted the cluster needles orange/red

[loekaaz]

If you have a heat gun at home, or if you can get a hold of one for cheap, You could try and see if the lacquer will come of with that?
You know, just burn that shit off

[P78]

old lacker solution

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/GAR343-KLEAN-STRIP-Aircraft-Stripper-Gallon/dp/B004Y1KX9E"]GAR343 KLEAN-STRIP Aircraft Paint Stripper 1 Gallon - Aircraft Paint Remover - Amazon.com[/ame]

[loekaaz]

I NEED that

They won't ship to EU though. That shit is "illegal" here because 'it hurts the flowers and the bees'

[Jorgen]

I NEED that

They won't ship to EU though. That shit is "illegal" here because 'it hurts the flowers and the bees'

Same, this would be a game changer in the DIY wheel refurbishing life of mine

[loekaaz]

I swear, a couple of years ago there was an add on our national Graigslist website, where a guy had a whole Euro palet full of that 'illegal' oldschool shit. He asked € 1k for it and it got sold.

Many paint-/bodyshops pay big money for it nowadays....

[Laef]

Damn, yeah that'd be great to have...

Well anyway, here I am, one lip stripped and the other one to go






Honestly, i'm done grinding, sanding whatever... I need to work on my final exams now.

I think I'm just going to finish stripping the second front wheel and just send them to paint.

I've got in mind to paint the center black like planned, and to put some fresh lacker on the lips (lacquer? how is this spelled btw??)

Like this factory finish



EDIT: Just said some shit, the lip on this wheel is polished... Well you get the idea haha

[Laef]

Yoooo as an aside, just found this vid by our friend at lowdaily.ru

Absolutely love how this Benz sits haha

[meech]

God that is awesome i need to start working on mine

[Laef]

Yes. Do it man! Thought you wanted to sell it nah?