The Definitive Alloy Refurbishment Guide?

[Rob Bell]

Wheels or TF85LEs? No idea on how many wheels - they're manufactured by a UK alloy wheel company - and I guess it may be possible to buy direct from them if they were open to this (and not bound by agreements with MG Motors).

[MGTF_avengers]

It's was the wheels I was asking about - just thought I was a bit more... you know, uncommon or unusual.... hey-ho!
Not bothered about getting a new set, although maybe I could, and have winter tyres fitted, and then I'm good to go when the bad weather is back!
Something to think about!

[S67SOK]

Very fired up now ! But will be doing mine in the 'original' silver methinks.

Thanks for a great guide

Jeremy

[ArntyR]

I used this really excellent post to have a go at my own ToPs that had been refurbed into different shades of silvery grey due to some parking indiscretions by a previous owner, (honest...)

Now the car's in my care and I was fed up after the ToPs were recently thrown around by tyre-fitters (wheels taken in 'loose' ) so I bought a matched set of matt black tyreless 11-spokes from eBay thinking it'd be easier to camouflage any kerb rash. I refurbed the insides myself to get rid of machine marks and a few inevitable bits of corrosion at the rim/spoke interface then got to thinking, after seeing this 2012 post, how easy it might be to synch the colour of my originals.

The many-shades-of-silvery grey ToPs were now tyreless so I decided to go the whole hog and rattle-can them myself. Powder coating isn't d-i-y and is quite costly so I decided to go for a spray-job that is more of a standard/easily obtainable d-i-y wheel colour - 'Silver Wheel Paint' rather than 'Liquid Boron', which I couldn't find anywhere. I followed the 3-thin-coat guide and the process took a couple of weeks (why rush?). I then stored them, unsure of their fate, until a few days ago deciding that they deserved to be reunited with the TF.

Anyway (I think) I enjoyed the process and share this in the hope that it might give others the confidence to 'have a go' too. Other benefits: I've got a can of the correct colour to touch in any future kerb-rash and also the option of selling the matched set of black '09 11-spokes. (They're being listed in my local group mag and in the next 'Safety Fast' mag, I hope...)

ps. And yes, I found another local tyre place where the guys were fastidious with the rims and were much better value than others in the area for tyre removal, refitting and balancing. Plus, the costs of undercoat, wheel paint and clearcoat were less than the price of powder-coating one rim .

[YMGF1]

Great write up, thanks.

[Rob Bell]

Nice one Arnty - I prefer the silver to the OP's choice, but that's just personal preference

[ArntyR]

I felt it looked a little 'cheerier' than matt black in my case and, importantly, an easier colour to duplicate than the original.

[gerry.laing]

Took the easy route £240 for refurb

[Rob Bell]

Very smart!