Restoring Toledo steel wheels to original finish

[2door-toledo]

Hello,

Looking for some advice on restoring the steel wheels on my early short bumper Toledo to out-of-factory condition. They've been painted with silver Hammerite at this point, so I don't have any original details to go on.

What kind of finish did they have on originally? Some kind of powder coating or Paint? What kind of modern finish looks like the original but is long lasting?

Is there a RAL code for the colour, or was it whatever silverish paint they could get cheap that week?

Additionally if anyone has recommendations for companies that could carry out the work in the south east (I'm in Reading but willing to travel), that'd be appreciated too - I'm busy working on the rest of the car so happy to outsource this to a professional.

I know nothing about this so any advice appreciated!

Many thanks

[Carledo]

Yep, pretty much whatever silver paint (probably cellulose) they could get cheap at the time!

But you can go for powder coating or whatever takes your fancy!

No recommendations, sorry, I don't live in your neck of the woods, but i'm sure someone will be along soon with one!

Steve

[2door-toledo]

Thanks Steve. I've previously been advised that powder coating chips quite easily, and then starts lifting, but I have no actual experience of it, so I'd like to go for whichever is the longest lasting.

I was struggling to find many companies that do steel wheel refurbishment, searching for 'steel wheel refurbishment' just turned up loads of companies doing alloy wheels... searching for 'classic car steel wheel refurbishment' turned up a few things like these people called Lepsons http://www.lepsons.com/classic-car-wheel-refurbishment/

[triumphdolomiteuk]

https://www.citywheelrefurbishment.co.uk/
At least two committee members have had their car's wheel done here, £25 per wheel all in.

[Graham04]

You could take them to a painter and have them sprayed in two pack. It gives a good durable finish and far better than spray cans.
Graham

[soe8m]

You could take them to a painter and have them sprayed in two pack. It gives a good durable finish and far better than spray cans.
Graham

That's my choice also. Same as suspension parts.

Jeroen

[Jackinthebox]

The TSSC sells the correct shade of silver paint along with the lacquer to finish the wheels to the original speck. I am in the process of redoing mine.
PS They do sell mail order to non TSSC members.

[2door-toledo]

Thanks triumphdolomiteuk, Graham04, soe8m and Jackinthebox - some good leads for me to investigate.

I definitely agree about having it done with two pack.

As for suspension components I have done them myself with epoxy mastic from rust.co.uk which I'm hoping will be fairly durable. Fairly pleased with the results although I definitely want the wheels to be better

[AlastairC]

Good to see you're going down the same path as I am. Im in the process of getting my suspension parts stripped - the more difficult shaped ones Im getting blasted by a professional - the rest Im doing my self with a wire brush in a drill. Im also getting the subframe done at the same time, I ve stepped back from getting the small bits plated as its just too expensive, im just painting everything with aerosol cans - rustoleum and etch primer, but making sure it gets a good coverage so several coats.

Overhauling the entire front suspension is a big job and basically everything that moves has to be replaced as well as working on the steering rack and the sub frame and painting the under bonet panel;s as well so a lot to do.

My strategy is to do each of the components separately and then put it back on the car so ive done the steering rack, next is the fan blower and brake booster. It helps the the engine is out of the car at the moment too


have still got to buy the top pivot points, steering pivot things, bolts and a few other bits and pieces and I got a whole car bush kit from Rimmers.

Doing the same job on the stag was a bit easier!

Its a big and expensive job!