BBS Style 5 Refinishing

[bubbajan21]

So, I'll start by admitting I have been negligent. My E28 has a set of Style 5's with polished lips and I haven't kept up with them. This weekend, I was sick of looking at the lips the way they were and for the first time in a long while I wasn't working, so I spent all day Saturday remedying the problem. I realize this is not a complete refinish, but it's the best I could do with the wheels and tires still mounted. I took a bunch of pictures along the way, so here they are.

This is the polish that I used throughout this entire process


This is what I was starting with, all 4 wheels looked like this


I started by just using the polish on the wheels


I was rather impressed at how the Mother's polish did, but I still wasn't satisfied, so on to wet sanding


Here is after 2000 Grit wetsanding


Here it is polished out after the wetsanding


I only tested a small area as you can see above. I was happy with the results, so I went ahead and wetsanded the entire wheel.


Back to polishing after wetsanding


All polished out


I was happy with that result, but the back lip was still ugly.


I took polish and went in-between and around each of the bolts. This was the most time-consuming (and painful) part of this entire process.


Here is the wheel all done. Disregard the green tape, I was using it to mark what I had done.


All-in-all, the first wheel took me 2.5 hours to do. I was figuring everything out and went slowly. After that, each wheel took about an hour. Overall, I'm very happy with how they turned out and I will definitely keep up with them in the future so they never get back to that level. I'll leave it with a before and after that really shows the difference between what I started with and what I ended up with. :D

[zxert]

wow. pain in the ass.

pics of the whole car done?

[bubbajan21]

[MisterMiniS]

You inspire me...no homo

[learningcurve86]

Where in mass did you take those water shots? That looks like a place in Maine I know.. it would be nice not to have to drive that far though.

Your wheels look the exact same as what I have on my e46... I'm not looking forward to seeing what they look like after I've been in Germany for 8 months.. :(

[bubbajan21]

The water shot was taken in Rockport, MA.

[reelizmpro]

Hmmm constructive criticism here...why do people not plate the bolts when refinishing these wheels? Chroming or zinc plating the bolts will make a huge difference. In every picture, I was just focusing on the bolts thinking how bad they make the wheel look. Good job on the polish but it would look 100x better with better bolts.

[einstein57]

I got mine plated. I was quoted up to $1 per bolt. That adds up real quick. In the end i called in a favor.

[zxert]

+1 on plating the bolts.

But nice e28

[bubbajan21]

I realize this is not a complete refinish, but it's the best I could do with the wheels and tires still mounted.

Hmmm constructive criticism here...why do people not plate the bolts when refinishing these wheels? Chroming or zinc plating the bolts will make a huge difference. In every picture, I was just focusing on the bolts thinking how bad they make the wheel look. Good job on the polish but it would look 100x better with better bolts.

I may replace the bolts a little later down the line. Where did you have them Zinc plated and how much did it cost you? My only hesitation is that I would have to take the wheels off of the car, take the tires off of the wheels, send out the bolts, reassemble, remount tires, and put them on the car. At this point in time, the cost, time, and effort are not worth the benefit (although I definitely agree the bolts need to be shiny again at some point). Like I said, it's not a complete refinish, that may come later.

[Sharino]

My only hesitation is that I would have to take the wheels off of the car, take the tires off of the wheels, send out the bolts, reassemble, remount tires, and put them on the car.

Style 5s are 2 piece not 3. The bolts will come off without unmounting the rubber.

[drumad]

I want to plate my bolts. Where are you guys getting it done? someone PM some contact info! They are ready to be shipped!

[cabin]

Nice turnaround! These wheels would look great with some black/silver BBS center caps.

[Simon S]

Very nice.
Big props.

Perfect wheels for that car btw.. lovin the storm trooper e28. Perfect balance of contrast and chrome.

[bubbajan21]

Style 5s are 2 piece not 3. The bolts will come off without unmounting the rubber.

Then maybe I will think about it depending on what plating costs.

Nice turnaround! These wheels would look great with some black/silver BBS center caps.

Thanks!

Very nice.
Big props.

Perfect wheels for that car btw.. lovin the storm trooper e28. Perfect balance of contrast and chrome.

Hahaha, I love it! Storm Trooper E28!:D

Thanks for the compliment.

I want to plate my bolts. Where are you guys getting it done? someone PM some contact info! They are ready to be shipped!

If you find a place to get it done, can you please post back here the place and price, or if you would prefer, you can PM me the info.