speedline refurbishment questions

[Huw Powell]

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/wheels-brakes-90.htm

> picked up a set of 15" speedlines for a reasonable price at the weekend. one
> wheel was close to perfect, the other three were in various states, so i
> decided to strip all the paint and start afresh.

> first question is what is the best stuff i can get in the uk to take this
> paint off with a minimum of fuss?

You'll probably need to media blast them.  But, if they are not flaking,
well roughed up and clean, they should take new paint just fine.

> secondly, the fake allen screws i thought
> to be cast into the wheel, it turns out they are plastic, i am contemplating
> removing them and fixing the surface afterwards, i figured pulling them out
> with pliers, but thehy seem quite tough, any btdt's?

a 1/4" (6mm) drill does good quick work.

> what would be best to
> fill the holes with (i guess they use holes to locate), i was thinking
> epoxy, or even replace them afterwards with proper stainless items, again
> any btdt's?

I used lab-metal, but I was gonna have the wheels powder coated (heat).
  Epoxy should work nicely, you might have to overfill and sand, esp. if
the epoxy will shrink a bit as it sets.  Most glues, etc. do.

> thanks, ps i did not want to get them shot blasted as i have good tyres on
> them and figured with care i could get a good result without removing them.

Nah, take the tires off and do the wheels right!

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/