Ball Polished Alloy Refurb

[S2_DPD]

Hi,

My ball polished alloys are grotty and need a refurb.

Has anyone here actually had their ball polished wheels done? and if so who/where and pleased with the outcome etc?

I'm in Edinburgh, however willing to ship if the right outfit are wider afield.

thanks

 

[dickygrace]

I've had them done in Manchester but there'll be someone in Edinburgh who'll do them. Nige is the Edinburgh Maserati Guru, he'll be along shortly I'm sure. Otherwise, ask the guys at PK Supercars or at Graypaul who they'd recommend. They're all very helpful so you should be able to get it sorted.

 

[Andyk]

I know Miles was looking at getting his done...Not a easy thing to do as I understand it so needs to be someone very good at their trade..

 

[S2_DPD]

I posted a query a while back for advice on getting my wheels refurbished.

The original finish was 'ball polished', so a clear lacquer over highly processed and polished alloy. For the refurb we decided to avoid this as just not robust enough for every day use, so we went for a special powder coat which has a high-polished finished - giving a very similar result.

Before and after shots below, plus 'Mike the Polisher' who did the job.


After


Already a few referrals on the way to Michael - his contact details are on his kit.


He says he scrubs up well - but I'm not so sure!!!

David

 

[2b1ask1]

Blimey David; does he wheeze much????


Good work on the wheels though...

 

[Emtee]

Looks a nice Job.

Chrome powder coating is widely available and, as you say David, is much more forgiving than lacquer over ball-polished wheels. The wheels are built up with primer layers, so patch repairs are possible, as is stripping and re-coating without major expense.

The colour cast of a BP wheel is slightly different having a blue / violet cast from the slightly milky lacquer, and you do lose the subtle 'dimpling' that you get with the ball polishing process in the corners of the spokes, but it's a small price to pay for the usability.

As for the referrals on their way to Michael, I hope one is a face mask manufacturer and the other a pulmonary doctor.

 

[S2_DPD]

Spot on with the process and finish Miles.

I think he's evolved to breath through one ear and shed his skin on a nightly basis.

 

[BennyD]

Someone should tell him that you can buy polishing wheels these days; you don't have to, and shouldn't, use your face.