Here is the after (while the work was being performed) of my Senta wheels transforming from their original bright solver finish to anthracite.

 

Can't see the photos.....

 

Well, it appears that the picture doesn't want to open!? My apologies, I will try to figure out how to make this work.

 

 

Still not working. Can you post as an attachment?

 

 

Dave:

When you edit, scroll down to MANAGE ATTACHMENTS....then select photo from your browser, then upload, then close window.

 

Thanks, it should now appear...

 

Look great, good color choice, the contrast looks good. I wonder how it would look if you had the window surrounds painted to match the wheels.

I am looking to get my Sentas refurbished, did they straighten them, did they remove bolts to paint, did they remove old paint, did they use powdercoat or paint, and how much did they charge?

 

I too was wondering what it would take to get the window surrounds treated with the same finish. The car's appearance now, in my opinion, "flows" more evenly.

As for the method used;

(1) They did not need straightening, however he did repair all of the road rash marks.
(2) He applied masking tape on each of the bolts, by making round covers and then he pinched the ends close.
(3) He sanded each wheel first, then used a denatured alcohol to remove any impurities.
(4) The paint was applied by airbrush, several coats, next he applied a clear "fixing" paint and last was several coats of clear-coat.
(5) the cost, $100/wheel Best $400 bucks I have spent in quite some time.

 

They came out beautifully! I'm glad you went with the anthracite.

Unfortunately the pot holes here bent my Sentas out of form twice and I gave up on them. Good to hear yours are holding up well... it sounds like jleuz knows my pain though.

 

Did he remove the tires?? Maybe I should drive a few hours away to have my wheels done because in the DC area, the going rate seems to be about $200 per wheel without removing the tires...

 

He removed the tire/wheel and did the work in his outfitted trailer. He deflated the tires, then broke the top bead and put a barrier between the rim and the bead.

He came to my house so I was able to watch the entire process. This paid off, as I was carefully inspecting each wheel. I asked him to "touch-up" one spot that no one would have ever noticed.

 

Interesting! So it's a mobile service? I wonder if we have anything like that here!

I would gladly pay $400 to have wheels that look like new.

So I take it the little "nuts" are what he covered with tape? Why not remove them?

Also, is your XK modified for offroading? That seems like a lot of wheel gap! Wheels look great!

 

The nuts were on too tight, easier to mask and I had the car jacked up, so it was a distorted view. Attached is the finished product

 

Much better photo.....I too thought you had turned the car into a 4WD.

Jag looks great.......nice vision on the wheels with the Anthracite.

 

I agree. They look great! I couldn't tell from the photo, but I presume the bolts are a lighter color silver. If so, I think that's a nice contrast and makes the Senta look more like a real 3-piece wheel.

 

I had a quote from a mobile guy ( "Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist", they are all over the country) who does the work for my local Jag dealer, to remove curb rash and repaint wheels for $400 also. I asked if that included the inner barrels and he said no but he would clean them. It would take one day. My dealer said he does good work.

There is one near Arlington VA: www.awrswheelrepair.com/northernva

 

The nuts do come off but you need a impact tool. Special 8mm 12spline. You can get a set on eBay for like $15
The sentas are hard to beat!!! Looks great!

 

Thanks, that sounds pretty good. Maybe I'll have them done sometime in the summer.