Questions about Wheel Detailing

[Jim Lampe]

Hi Guys - I own an 87 300D that is in great shape, and I'm trying to keep it that way. I have noticed that the surface of one of my wheels is starting to flake off, leaving a shinny surface underneath. I have stock Mercedes wheels. Is there anything I can do to save these wheels? Is there a way to polish these wheels, or repair the current surface? Thanks for your help - Jim

[Tom Hanson]

You can have a body shop strip and refinish them.

[mark cummins]

Might want to send the rims out to have them polished...
I Have done several cars with Great results...
As Mercedes has a TSB NOT to Chrome plate any wheels

[dolebludger]

mark cummings:

When a wheel is stripped and polished, does it then require an application of clearcoat?

Also, I am somewhat familiar with the problems of electrolytic deterioration of aluminum wheels that have been chrome plated, and realize that this is a "no no." Yet, MB has offered chrome wheels as an option on certain of its models. How, if you know, is the deterioration problem solved on these factory chrome wheels?

Thanks,
Richard:confused:

[Jim Lampe]

Checked with a wheel shop here in Texas, they will repair and polish all four wheels overnight for $125/wheel. Thanks for the info! Jim

[D.L. SWINFORD]

Jim Lampe;
I had the wheels of my '87 300E refinished here in Houston at the same price.
Maybe the same shop?
Until Then JOY!

Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on The Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p

'85 300DT Donka II

[Ferdman]

Jim, I would confirm that the wheel shop removes the tires before refinishing the wheels, otherwise the new coating will not extend under the bead area and may be a problem in the future. If the tires are removed they will have to be spin-balanced, and I would insist on the 2-piece MB balance weights ... no adhesive weights, especially if you use Kleen Wheel dust shields.

[Barry Levine]

Ferdman,

I noticed a previous reply regarding Kleen Wheel Dust Shields? do these dust shields protect a chrome wheel from gathering the dreaded black brake dust? Thanks once again for your advise.

Any advise on ceramic brakes?

Barry
2001 E320

[Ferdman]

Barry, Kleen Wheel dust shields will keep brake dust off any wheel. I only install them on the front wheels of our cars, as the rear wheels accumulate minimal brake dust. For optimum braking performance and safety I recommend staying with MB brake pads. The brake pad composition is designed soft enough that without the power assist you can still stop the car in a reasonable distance.

[tiggerfink]

Might want to send the rims out to have them polished...
I Have done several cars with Great results...
As Mercedes has a TSB NOT to Chrome plate any wheels

?????

Now I am lost. The zone manager offered to chrome or repaints my wheels because of the damage on them. My dealer fought for me and I end up getting new wheels.

[marlinspike]

Barry, Kleen Wheel dust shields will keep brake dust off any wheel. I only install them on the front wheels of our cars, as the rear wheels accumulate minimal brake dust. For optimum braking performance and safety I recommend staying with MB brake pads. The brake pad composition is designed soft enough that without the power assist you can still stop the car in a reasonable distance.

Hmm, I wonder about the affect on brake fade that using kleen wheel causes? They look like they would block a lot of the air flow? Though I suppose not everybody drives his Mercedes like me :D One way to cut down on brake dust (and cut down on brake fade) is to switch to PRB metalmaster pads. I put them on my 380 and my braking is a lot better, especially when doing repeated fast stops. They still dust, but about half of what the Benz pads do (admittedly half of a ton is still a lot, but it's less dust than benz pads and when hot stops better).
Richard

[Ferdman]

marlinspike, if you drive your car hard then Kleen Wheels are probably not for you. In my daily driving I needn't worry about brake fade and Kleen Wheels dramatically reduce the build-up of brake dust on the front wheels.