The 'silver' part of the Fuchs is anodized (as you noted), once they are oxidized, etched, etc they are gone. You need to be uber careful with cleaners on any anodized Al, basically just stick with soap/water, anything with a PH level that deviates too much from base and you risk issues. As long as you keep your wheels clean, soap and water is fine to remove brake dust and clean up wheels - you don't need harsh chemicals until you get that 'never been cleaned' look (the majority of detailer TH-camrs use way too harsh of chemicals/products/techniques on the cars they are cleaning just as an FYI) - ceramic coat the wheels to make it even easier to clean. Once you start polishing you'll remove the rest of the anodized layer and then you just have to chase after it as you are basically just at a bare Al level, so it will look nice for a short period of time and then dull out. On the plus/minus side, there are a ton of places that restore Fuchs, the downside is that it's not the cheapest option out there. You could try asking the local PCA crowd if anybody knows of a good local resto shop for them - just make sure to ask a lot of questions for any wheel resto shop, don't let them experiment on your wheels...lol I have seen some relative decent paint jobs that almost mimic the anodized side, but a 2-tone paint job/wheel resto will probably cost the same as having the Fuchs experts have at it.
Crazy how sensitive anodized alum is - never knew that, but it makes sense. Really only gloss finishes are savable, anything else you are trying to match the prior finish. I think the Fuchs will look good with any combination of finishes
Thanks seagrams. I’ve spoken to a few places so far it’s either looking like an all gloss finish because trying do two finishes in powder coating is going to be extremely difficult from what I’m hearing. I’m starting to think these wheels are just going to have to be replaced, I haven’t been able to find anyone who is willing to refinish them. Everything I’m hearing so far is that people want to experiment with them which I’m just not comfortable with, and it’s sounding like it’s a crapshoot if the cleaner etched all the way down into the aluminum.
@@TakeFlightGarage 944 is just a blast to drive no doubt about it. Those who know 944s, no explanation is necessary, those who don’t know and haven’t driven no explanation is enough.
Check you area with high end detail shops or search for alloy wheel repair. There should be a company local that can fix them I'm sure. Boggles my mind that it didnt clear up, normally just a heavy polish and lots of elbow grease fixes that. Wondering if the age is playing a bigger factor. Excellent job trying to save them though, a lot harder to notice in this video compared to first one
Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it. Tomorrow is gonna be a busy day of calling around to see who might be able to help me out! I really thought it would’ve worked too even the company who’s cleaner I used reached out to me with tips and nothing worked.
I did my best and it didn’t even make a dent at this point I’m starting to think that the cleaner etched though the anodized layer and may have even compromised the aluminum alloy underneath. I won’t know until these wheels are completely stripped either chemically or via media blasting to see if the aluminum underneath hasn’t been scarred. I tried everything. Sanding polishing buffing I took a dremel with a polishing wheel to it and it didn’t do anything.
@TakeFlightGarage hmm.. I can tell from your vids you are attached to these particular wheels, so I dont suspect you want to take the chance of damaging them. When I say sand I mean with a much lower grit to get through any coatings down to bare aluminum(dont attempt if your not sure), then increase grit to the polish level you want , then clear coat. I think you mentioned 1500 was the lowest you used, that's more of a polishing grit and doesn't remove much material. My 86 951 has the phone dials which I will be refinishing how I mentioned above because I got some weird results just polishing, almost looks like they are white wheels with silver paint.. idk.. i think i read somewhere that white phone dials where an option.. these cars are so old, no telling what others did to them, lol.. Im just trying to get it on the road now, so wheels will be in the future at some point. Your car looks awesome, thanks for all the vids, have been very helpful!
The 'silver' part of the Fuchs is anodized (as you noted), once they are oxidized, etched, etc they are gone. You need to be uber careful with cleaners on any anodized Al, basically just stick with soap/water, anything with a PH level that deviates too much from base and you risk issues. As long as you keep your wheels clean, soap and water is fine to remove brake dust and clean up wheels - you don't need harsh chemicals until you get that 'never been cleaned' look (the majority of detailer TH-camrs use way too harsh of chemicals/products/techniques on the cars they are cleaning just as an FYI) - ceramic coat the wheels to make it even easier to clean.
Once you start polishing you'll remove the rest of the anodized layer and then you just have to chase after it as you are basically just at a bare Al level, so it will look nice for a short period of time and then dull out.
On the plus/minus side, there are a ton of places that restore Fuchs, the downside is that it's not the cheapest option out there. You could try asking the local PCA crowd if anybody knows of a good local resto shop for them - just make sure to ask a lot of questions for any wheel resto shop, don't let them experiment on your wheels...lol I have seen some relative decent paint jobs that almost mimic the anodized side, but a 2-tone paint job/wheel resto will probably cost the same as having the Fuchs experts have at it.
I have Fuchs on mine. 80s cars used clear coat, but it's old and crusty. Just buff em out, rinse em off, ad some high temp clear coat..
Crazy how sensitive anodized alum is - never knew that, but it makes sense. Really only gloss finishes are savable, anything else you are trying to match the prior finish. I think the Fuchs will look good with any combination of finishes
Thanks seagrams. I’ve spoken to a few places so far it’s either looking like an all gloss finish because trying do two finishes in powder coating is going to be extremely difficult from what I’m hearing. I’m starting to think these wheels are just going to have to be replaced, I haven’t been able to find anyone who is willing to refinish them. Everything I’m hearing so far is that people want to experiment with them which I’m just not comfortable with, and it’s sounding like it’s a crapshoot if the cleaner etched all the way down into the aluminum.
Nice wheels. Classic Fuchs on a red 944. Perfect.
Thanks Tim! Btw I loved your video series comparing the 944 to the boxster I feel the exact way driving my 944!
@@TakeFlightGarage 944 is just a blast to drive no doubt about it. Those who know 944s, no explanation is necessary, those who don’t know and haven’t driven no explanation is enough.
Check you area with high end detail shops or search for alloy wheel repair. There should be a company local that can fix them I'm sure. Boggles my mind that it didnt clear up, normally just a heavy polish and lots of elbow grease fixes that. Wondering if the age is playing a bigger factor. Excellent job trying to save them though, a lot harder to notice in this video compared to first one
Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it. Tomorrow is gonna be a busy day of calling around to see who might be able to help me out! I really thought it would’ve worked too even the company who’s cleaner I used reached out to me with tips and nothing worked.
Sand them down and clear coat them, unless you have the money to pay someone else to fix them..
I did my best and it didn’t even make a dent at this point I’m starting to think that the cleaner etched though the anodized layer and may have even compromised the aluminum alloy underneath. I won’t know until these wheels are completely stripped either chemically or via media blasting to see if the aluminum underneath hasn’t been scarred. I tried everything. Sanding polishing buffing I took a dremel with a polishing wheel to it and it didn’t do anything.
@TakeFlightGarage hmm.. I can tell from your vids you are attached to these particular wheels, so I dont suspect you want to take the chance of damaging them. When I say sand I mean with a much lower grit to get through any coatings down to bare aluminum(dont attempt if your not sure), then increase grit to the polish level you want , then clear coat. I think you mentioned 1500 was the lowest you used, that's more of a polishing grit and doesn't remove much material. My 86 951 has the phone dials which I will be refinishing how I mentioned above because I got some weird results just polishing, almost looks like they are white wheels with silver paint.. idk.. i think i read somewhere that white phone dials where an option.. these cars are so old, no telling what others did to them, lol.. Im just trying to get it on the road now, so wheels will be in the future at some point.
Your car looks awesome, thanks for all the vids, have been very helpful!
I sent you a text regarding the issue.