ALLOY WHEELS -PART 2

[RBYCC]

Couldn't resist....just bought five alloys with tires on EBAY for $41.00. Will pick them up this weekend.
Intend to trash the tires and refurbish the alloys.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130167323409&rd=1

QUESTION FOR THE DAY

What is the paint color code for the alloys and is the finish a matte or gloss?

Thanks as always

ED A.
1971 280SL
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO
1990 C43 AMG
2003 G55 AMG

[hands_aus]

rust on aluminium rims?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by hands_aus

rust on aluminium rims?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

He might be referring to where the wheel weights attach and the area around the steel inserts for the lug nuts.

ED A.
1971 280SL
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO
1990 C43 AMG
2003 G55 AMG

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by hands_aus

rust on aluminium rims?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

Bob and RBYCC,

Rust, no.  Corrosion, yes.  Rust is corrosion on a ferrous metal; aluminum corrodes like steel does, albeit slower and not quite as severe.

My aluminum rims had a lot of corrosion on them, clearly from not being cleaned.  Salt, etc. built up along the tire/rim interface and this led to corrosion and pitting, just like rust but with a white crust of salt and aluminum oxide.

A good cleaning and prep before powder coat and all is well.

Keep your wheels clean and this won't happen.  As a car wash owner I see this all the time.  People keep their cars clean and neglect the wheels.  There is a whole cottage industry around here of mobile alloy wheel repair and refinishing, a shop in a trailer!  They do a brisk business running from Porsche to BMW to Mercedes dealers and independent repair facilities.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Douglas]

I've been told that the alloys, at least in the early years, were not clearcoated and, therefore, not glossy.

The source was longtime owner and forum member, Klaus. (If I'm mistaken, I'll delete this posting as I would hate to spread misinformation here of all places.)

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[colinwoodburn]

Remember and use the correct bolts with the alloys as they are a little longer than the ordinary ones on your car. I am a little miffed ,just payed £122 or $244 for 5 alloys with good tyres + bolts .you've got a real bargain there .Regards Colin @Edinburgh

[Kemal]

Hi Michael
I spent this morning cleaning & waxing my car and I didn't forget to clean the wheels, as a matter of fact they took for ever [ Alloys ] , in and out of the rims.....[ still not perfect ](' ')
Any hints I would appreciate.

Thank you in advance.(' ')

Kemal
280 SL Manual 69


Keep your wheels clean and this won't happen.  As a car wash owner I see this all the time.  People keep their cars clean and neglect the wheels.  

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
[/quote]

[mdsalemi]

Kemal,

The killer is brake dust.  Caked on, mixed with "road liquids"; baked in the sun, add some salt and other road debris and you have a witch's brew.

Point one, don't EVER let brake dust build up on your wheels.  Some cars need the wheels cleaned MORE OFTEN than the car body itself.

Point two, if you are careless enough to let the caked on brake dust build up, get a wheel cleaner and follow directions. They usually contain some nasty acids that eat through and loosen the crud so it can come off.  In the USA, we have wheel cleaners by Eagle One and by Meguires.

Point three, always use a clean towel and wipe down the wheels 100% after a car wash.  You'd be surprised at how much stuff remains.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Kemal]

Hi Michael
Thank you for that, I will get a bottle of Meguires today.(' ')
Spray on rinse off, I guess! [ Its the front wheels that are the buggers!]

Thanks
Kemal
280 Sl Manual 69