Silver'Scort

I've polished up a set of ally wheels that i have, and a i want to laquer them to keep them fairly resiliant to road muck, brake dust etc.
I would be using 2-pack laquer, is there anything i can put on them to make the laquer 'key' better as logic says with the wheel being smooth and shiny it would not.
I've never tried it before so any tips would be helpful

CosworthGuy

Maybe flat with something like 800 wet and dry. Should give you a good key without scratching the ally

gingerturbo

iTrader: (2)

as stated 800 w&d would be best for the key, id try 1 first as some laqures can leave a slight yellow tinge to the finish, last time i did polished lips i i left em bare with the basis of keeping on top of em with autosol

Twellsie

iTrader: (1)

clear anodise and laquer within 24 hours

Silver'Scort

Trouble is tho guys, i've polished them up mirror finish, so flatting them would take the shine off. Was wondering if there was some kind of chemical available that will make the laquer stick. For example, when i paint unpainted plastic parts, i use an adhesion promoter, was thinking down those sort of lines, if any such thing exists?

Or as you say gingerturbo, shall i just leave them naked and keep busy with the Autosol?

Silver'Scort

Whats clear anodise fella? Anodising as in the process they use to colour ally? I never knew it could be done clear!

Twellsie

iTrader: (1)

its an electrolitic coating, when you see bolts in nice shiney blues, purples etc, well that is anodise with a coloured dye added, you can have it done without the dye, hence clear

its done on aircraft parts as it protects the aluminium and premotes adhesion

Silver'Scort

Well you've taught me something there, i had no idea it could be done clear, i thought it was purely a process to colour aluminium for the pupose of making it look nice, as you say for things like fittings and fastenings, had no idea its got a practical protective use too. Ill look into that then, is it done on an industrial scale, or are there places that would do little bits such as my wheels?

stevealien

iTrader: (1)

i wouldnt put 800 wet and dry near any polished alloy.
ive been polishing alloy for the last 3 days.2500 wet and dry,then 3 stages of compound and machine buffing to get a good finish.
800 will murder it

gingerturbo

iTrader: (2)

yeh g4's a gd compound for polishing,

Ginge !

anodised finish is what is required !!!

Twellsie

iTrader: (1)

any metal finishers can do it genrally

dingla rs

iTrader: (2)

lol 800 will not kill it laquer will give it shine again

stevealien

iTrader: (1)

yeah,then you can have nice shiny scratched alloys