Wheel refurb (in parts)

[Bendy toy]

My GSA hubs are showing the effects of winter. The wheel builder tells me been that GSA alloy corrosion can jam the spokes into the hubs, so I'm getting them done this summer.

I've bought some GS alloys to use as stand-ins, which also have a few areas of crud under the paint. So Im having them refinished, but the enameller's shot blaster would not touch the BMW paint without chewing into the base metal.

They recommended ThyssenKrupp Services in Tamworth Staffordshire 01827 250550 who use an acid process (alkali will destroy alloy wheels).

Cost with a 24 hours turnaround was £28 including VAT for both wheels.

The wheels have come out looking spotless with the machined rim edges looking factory fresh. Even the cruddy bits are not too bad so well worth doing sooner rather than later. They went to the enamellers looking like this.

The slightly mottled areas are where corrosion was starting to lift the paint (5 o'clock and 8 o'clock on rim and around central mounting hole). No serious harm was done, so its clearly best not left to fester. For those who want polished rims this acid process has to be the way to go.

These are the front wheel disc lugs

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Spokes won't jam on the hub but they will jam on the rim and they are a right pain to sort out when they do

 

[Pukmeister]

I guess that process would also work well on corroded engine front timing covers??

For £28 a pop it beats rubbing down to repaint.

 

[Bendy toy]

These wheels cost £28 the pair!!! Powder coat will be £50 the pair.

Generally the enamellers (CJ Ward) shot bast the old paint etc off the parts and overall cost little more than DIY with rattle cans. These wheels had such tough paint that chemicals were the only option. Quite possibly the engine covers have the same stuff.

The Kev Blurton the wheel builder in Derby told me he's had real problems with corroded GS spoked hubs but the rims are alloy so I guess no better. For the hubs he bolt cropped the spokes, had them chemical dipped and pin punched the old spokes/nipples out. I'm hoping to re-use the spokes.

If the rims need work I'll have to decide whether to re-anodise or powder coat. Has anyone else refinished the wire spoke rims?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I had my spoked wheels refurbed last year and had them powder coated which worked well. The big issue I had was the corrosion around the holes where the spokes go through the rim.My rear wheel started to run out of true after about 10,000 miles after the rebuild and this was put down to the new spokes not bedding properly due to the corrosion. I'm now led to believe that you can get slightly thicker spokes. Drilling the holes out to accept these spokes will probably clear the corroded areas so I'm going to try that this autumn.

 

[Bendy toy]

Bare alloy however will corrode really badly against the stainless spokes. The slight (normal) rim/spoke movement will make it even worse. It is probably better to ream the spoke holes and have the rim refinished. Anodising is not costly but the oxide layer is only a few microns so powder coat might be more durable.

How about opening the spoke holes a bit more, re anodise the rim and fit brass ferrules/eyelets to the spoke holes. But where to find them suitable for a motorbike?

Edit: Just called Central Wheel Components (Coleshill, B'ham). They use plated brass nipples that wont react with aluminium but they cant supply ferrules for the rims.