[sonnys_sdi]

Hi I noticed that a lot of people who have santa's always get some type
of laquer corrosion on their alloys like I had on mine when i baught
them they were like this

So instead of paying a refurber X amount of money I refurbed them myself all for ?25, Heres what you need.

2x Project packs of Wet n Dry from Halfords ?5 each

1x Peek polish liquid form. ?10

24x Sanding Blocks ?5 from local DIY shop.

So Firstly I sanded down the remaining laquer that was on the alloys by
hand, So I firstly used 120 Grit Wet n Dry on the alloy to take off the
mejority of the laquer, then I used a 400 grit Wet n Dry sandpaper on
the alloys to take the roughness out of the alloys and smooth it down a
lot. Then I used a Sanding Block to create the same pattern in the
alloys so i went up and down each spoke so they all looked the same.
Then I used a 800 grit Wet n Dry paper and again sanding in the same
direction. Finally I used a 1200 grit paper again sanding it down in
the same direction leaving a super smooth finish on the alloy. Then I
gave the alloys a wash down with some water, and let them dry off.
Heres a pic after what I done.

Now for the polishing I used a buffing machiene with an abrasive sponge
on it. I poured the Peek polish directly on to each spoke and spread it
all over the spokes via a cloth so all the metal has polish on it. Then
I used the buffer on the alloy the first time I polished the alloy I
used speed 2 so the polish would buff it quickly, once I polished the
whole face of the alloy I wiped down the residue of the polish so i had
a smooth and shiny surface, then again without applying any more polish
I used the buffer again but at a lower speed (speed 1) but this time I
concentrated and pushed down hard on each spoke so I got the maximum
shine out of the metal. Heres a pic of the final product.

But after all this DO NOT apply laquer to the alloys because it will
leave a dull appearance on the alloy and then you will have to do this
procedure all over again, just apply 4-5 coats of wax. Hope this little
'how to' helps all the Santa Monica owners. [y][y]

Sonny

 

[Eastman]

Nice Post Sonny!

Im looking into getting some Monicas for the Golfy myself. How long did that take to do?

Im looking for some original ones however, they are hard to find......Reps seem ok however will probably have to have them refurbd at some point due to the laqer issue.

PS are you planing to change your wheels at any point??[]

 

[sonnys_sdi]

Yep I'm looking to sell my wheels actually but in the near future, I've got a set of five so your spare will be a santa aswell.

It took me overall around 6 hours to do all the alloys from start to finish.

 

[Foxy]

Top marks go to that man............ that's what i like to see - DIY work - less of this "cheque book" car modding and maintenance. [8-|]

 

[sonnys_sdi]

Top marks go to that man............ that's what i
like to see - DIY work - less of this "cheque book" car modding and
maintenance. [8-|]

Thanks [y] It saved me ?140 so I'm not complaining. []

 

[HTC]

Quick question. If you are leaving the metal un laquered, won't it corrode more quickly as there is nothing protecting it?

 

[sonnys_sdi]

But once polished with peek polish, I used wax on the alloys and they
haven't corroded, also now I'm using a metal polish called autosol
which is a polish but at the same time its acting as the laquer which
does both the jobs in one.

 

[shiuming]

I may have to try some Autosol, as I'm fed up with the corrosion/scale on my alloy aerial that is a pig of a job to polish clean again.

 

[Jose_Golf]

Yup, got them corroding at the moment, might have to give this a go some time!

Nice D.I.Y

 

[sonnys_sdi]

Yup, got them corroding at the moment, might have to give this a go some time!

Nice D.I.Y

Post some pics aswell mate. lets see if my d.i.y how to works for everyone else.

 

[skierandy]

can you do this with standard finish alloys, ie make them into a polished finish?

thanks

 

[Satnam]

can you do this with standard finish alloys, ie make them into a polished finish?

thanks

Yep you should be able to as long as none of the rim has been refurbed
with some type of filler as you cant polish filler lol. HTH

Sat

 

[Richie]

don't use autosol.. as it dulls the wheel over time..

use alu magic or something similar.. www.frost.co.uk

 

[Satnam]

A quick bump to the top as have seen a few people gettin santas refurbed..

also now if i was to do this again.. i would do the above and then get the wheels clear powder coated as this will make the wheels corrosion free.. like how the anni's are once powdercoated its near enough 99% robust

Sat [y]

 

[MikeH09]

Hi there Sonny,

I don't know if this will still reach you, but hopefully you are still a member. I have just purchased my ist Golf Mk iv - a 130pd GT TDI, in ocean blue (kind of a bluey green). Along the way in tracking down my car I became aware of Santa Monica alloys... they seem to me to be some of the nicest ones out there... and so I promised myself I would get a set if the chance arose.. Then last week, luckily, since they are quite rare now I think, I spotted a set on ebay which I have bought and will go to pick up tomorrow. The car is in the garage this weekend and will be finished with it service on Monday, Meanwhile I will work on the Santas so that they are ready to put onto the car when I get it back...

I thought your artical was really helpful... I never knew you could leave the lacquer off of the wheels and just rely on the polish to protect them... What wanted to ask you specifically is just where to buy (from a real shop rather then a virtual one) some Peek Polish Liquid...? any idea if a high street shop sells it?

One more thing... can one use a standard electric drill with some kind of attachment to do a mechanized polish...? (that is the only machinery I have really) otherwise you could polish by hand I am sure, if slowly...

Best regards,

Mike H.

 

[MikeH09]

Hi there Sonny, I don't know if this will still reach you, but hopefully you are still a member. I have just purchased my ist Golf Mk iv - a 130pd GT TDI, in ocean blue (kind of a bluey green). Along the way in tracking down my car I became aware of Santa Monica alloys... they seem to me to be some of the nicest ones out there... and so I promised myself I would get a set if the chance arose.. Then last week, luckily, since they are quite rare now I think, I spotted a set on ebay which I have bought and will go to pick up tomorrow. The car is in the garage this weekend and will be finished with it service on Monday, Meanwhile I will work on the Santas so that they are ready to put onto the car when I get it back... I thought your artical was really helpful... I never knew you could leave the lacquer off of the wheels and just rely on the polish to protect them... What wanted to ask you specifically is just where to buy (from a real shop rather then a virtual one) some Peek Polish Liquid...? any idea if a high street shop sells it? One more thing... can one use a standard electric drill with some kind of attachment to do a mechanized polish...? (that is the only machinery I have really) otherwise you could polish by hand I am sure, if slowly... Best regards, Mike H.

 

[bluegttdi]

will hopefully need this next week.