Refurbing Blitz Technospeed Z1\'s

[D2BBA]

Its been absolutely ages (well about 4 weeks) since I mentioned I would re-furb my newly acquired second hand Blitz Technospeed Z1 split-rims.  I was in no real hurry as the car has been off the road for winter (and due to seal failure), so ive taken my time.

Anywho, here are the results so far and a bit of a guide on what ive been up to!



Each wheel has taken about 5 hours to get from the original corroded and curbed state to polished rim and primer, ready for my copper top-coat.  Apologies for picture quality, they really are shiny (honest!).

First step was to split the wheels.  The wheels are a three-piece design and I had the tyres removed from the fronts, in case they required splitting into 3.  The splitting of the wheels revealed that they are in fact similar to a two piece, in respect that the two rim sections are welded together and the spoke can be unbolted and lifted free.  I left the tyres on the rear and re-furbed these with tyres in place. A bit of WD-40 was used to soak the bolts and a rubber mallet helped in freeing the spokes.

The spokes were corroded and the original sliver paint had lifted, so these were sand blasted for ease.

Next step was to remove the corrosion and galvanised coating from the rims, allowing them to be polished to a mirror finish.  The rim lips were also grinded to remove as much of the kerbing as possible.  This process is carried out using a 240v drill equipped with abrasive wheels and abrasive compounds.  I use a kit available from Frost.co.uk, which consists of 3 abrasive wheels with matching compounds and 3 polish wheels with matching polish.  The finish is much better than cheaper kits I have used (normally only a three-step system), which fail to lift the galvanised coating.  

The three steps of abrasion are used to get the wheel rim to a smooth finish ready for polishing:



The rim is then polished using each step of the three-part system until a mirror finish is (hopefully) achieved:



In practice it seems hard to achieve a clean finish on these wheels (as you may be able to make out on the above) and a bit of Maguires Metal Polysh and elbow grease is needed for a true bright and grease-free finish.

Phew, im thoroughly sick of polishing, but just the topcoat of paint to apply and I’ll get the finished pics up ready for the car returning from Lindop following the re-build!

Chris

[ashc]

good job dude!

[pdtaylor18]

Top marks so far there chap, I for one know how much hard work goes into polishing, I have only done a couple of UIM\'s and pipes and that was hard work.  The best thing is the sheer satifaction you will get when you put them back together and marvel at all your hard work.  You know it will be worth it.

[chrisJDM]

looking good, a mate of mine has or i should now say had these same wheels on his 200sx until he decided to take them apart and respray them, when he took them apart he snapped a couple of the bolts, managed to find some more but they where the wrong size, any idea where he can get some from???

[pdtaylor18]

they are similar sizes to some aircraft bolts we use,if you give me the sizes i may be able to get hold of some. Ours usually come in either 1/4 or 5/16 head sizes (multipont ones) but can get metric sizes. Will need length size and diameter of hole size.  If they are good enough for aero engines then good enough for a set of wheels.

[D2BBA]

Top marks so far there chap, I for one know how much hard work goes into polishing, I have only done a couple of UIM\'s and pipes and that was hard work.  The best thing is the sheer satifaction you will get when you put them back together and marvel at all your hard work.  You know it will be worth it.

Yup, know what you mean fella.  This is my 5th set of wheels, ive also done a UIM (although it was a rusk job abd needs sorting again) and hard pipes, alternator etc.  

The finish is harder to achieve on these wheels as the lip is stainless I think and seems to be quite greesy.  Still trying for the true mirror finish!

I\'ll get there!

Chris

[gregmacd]

Hey mate I have the same wheels and want mine refurbed. So I take it you left the rim in one piece and left the tyres on them. Did you drop the air pressure at all before removing the spokes? What pressure were you running?

I really would like to do these myself (rather than pay the £600 I\'ve been quoted) so if this can be done at home I want to have a crack at it.

Also is the rim steel? Some random bloke told me it was aluminium which seemed odd to me.

[D2BBA]

Hi fella,

Yup, just left the tyres as they were for the rears without even a pressure drop.  No issues.  I only removed the front because I wasnt sure if the rims would have to split into 3

Also fairly sure they are steel.  Harder to get the shine than with aluminium, but they are getting there.

Defo have a go doing it yourself!

As for mine, paint is now on.  Just need top coat to go then i\'ll re-assemble and get some pics up.  I havent rushed as my 5Zigen racing nuts are on delay from Nengun (for a change).

Chris

[gregmacd]

Well if I get the chance I\'ll pick up some spare wheels this weekend and then I might just have a crack at them! Thanks for the tips and the inspiration!

[D2BBA]

No probs matey!

I\'ll have to get some more photos up, they are looking loads more shiney with more elbow grease!:cool

Chris

[D2BBA]

Here\'s the last few pics of the wheels being made up.  I got bored of waiting for the 5Zigen nuts after 8 weeks on order from good ols Nengun, so bolted them up for fitting without!

Lips were hand polished with metal polish to take the grease away:

[D2BBA]

Painted centres were then re-bolted into place...

[D2BBA]

Finally (!) after many long months the wheels were fitted to the car and the geometry was set up.  Car runs superb and the pics speak for themselves.  Well chuffed ...

[gregmacd]

Well in theory my track day wheels are getting tyres today. Once I get them on the car I\'m gonna have a crack at refurbing my Z1\'s. Thanks very much for all the pictures. I shall keep a photo diary as I do mine.
 
Final set of questions. Did you re-use the bolts that mount the centre piece to the rim?
 
Last question. My centre spokes are gold. The car is Innocent Mica Blue. What colour shall I paint the spokes? Do I stick with gold or paint them silver or get them chromed? Any ideas gratefully received.
 

[D2BBA]

How do fella,

Yes, re-used the bolts.  I just soaked them in WD40 substitute for a few days.  They tightened up nicely and were all torqued to the same setting.

Car drives much better now, although I only manmaged 20 miles last night.  A trip to Wakefield and back on saturday will see for sure!

Ive always liked silver wheels with a blue car.  Blitz did a "special" bright silver, so if you could get that, or something similar id go for that.

Chris