Mercedes Wheel Repair-Repaint

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db2

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I finally made a decision. Really considering buying a air compressor to get all the water off the car that drying cant get. My MB C holds so much water in all the grooves and cracks and not to mention the oversized moldings that go all the way around the whole car. I am starting not to like the quick trip around the block technique. There are benefits to having an air compressor=getting the dust the van can't get and not to mention all the water out.:up The downside is $249.99.:down :down Here it is a 4 gallon 3 hp 150 psi. Like it because it is very compact and light making it easy to move around(limited garage space)
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I wanted to get your guys feedback, having a hard time convincing myself to spend $250 just for this task or should I just tough it out and just go over certain areas a couple of times and get most of the water off the car. Thanks guys
 
like nsxnext suggests, why not just use a leaf blower? heckuva lot cheaper and very effective. i use an electric Toro 215mph leaf blower in my mobile detailing service all the time for those exact reasons you specified. go with the leaf blower.:xyxthumbs
 
Leafblower is nice, powerful, and puts out LOTS of air...lots of uncontrolled air...air that kicks up dust and dirt which ends up on your car. The compressor will let you direct it to the exact spot. While I use neither, I vote for the compressor as the better tool.
 
If your going to get a compressor spend more money and get something you can use for power tools powered by compressed air. Doesn't make any sense to get a compressor and buy another when you use air tools because the first one you got was too weak.



Check out a line of air powered tools at sears or something and buy a compresor made for them then use it to dry your car until you start buying tools.
 
Something to consider with compressors:



Water in the air lines.

Oil in the air lines.

Rust particles in the air line from the tank.



These are things to consider. Most shops that have compressors will set up water traps but there is not much for filters.



Look into the leaf blower. It would be a cheaper experiment and you can probablyreturn it if not happy.



Plus you can blow the dust off the car at night prior to Qding, sweep the driveway and sidewalk.



Good Luck
 
Hey man, where the heck are you buying your compressors? I play paintball and we use compressors which HAVE to be clean, as far as I can tell from speaking to the tank operator, there is a tank filter and a water collector. I have been using my tank for over a year now and never have had any problems with dirt. Even the slighest build up of dirt will screw my entire gun up. From what I can see, they are always clean.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by NSXNEXT [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I just bought one of these from Home Depot. $35 and it works pretty well.

http://store4.yimg.com/I/hectors876_1678_20086330 [/b]</blockquote>
NSXNEXT,
What brand and model number is that leaf blower? What are the specs (mph)?

I was looking for a Toro 215mph, but seems like no local stores carried them.
 
I also will vote for the Leaf blower, I have a BIG Air Commpresser and If I couldnt run my air tools with it, I wouldnt have it........ I also have a Elec. leaf blower....... I use it on every car I do:)
 
Compressors will form water in the compressed line and you will need a water separtor. Water separators also tend to come with an oiler so as to oil the air powered tools.



Most come with intake air filters but they do not catch everything and when that stuff comes out of a small oriface .... well that is how sand blasters work. I am not saying all are like this but as they get older they tend to have more oil in the lines as the compressor (be it screw or Piston) wears out. Also when water collects in the tank it will corrode them and then the rust flakes form and will eventually work their way to the outlet lines.



This is not to say a leaf blower will not pelt with dust either as they tend not to have filters but the nozzle is larger and the pressures are lower so this dust would do less damage.



A Vacuum/blower will porbably have the cleanest air as you can install high quality air filters.
 
Can't you just install a better air filter on the compressor and maintain the unit itself to prevent all that stuff from happening? I am sure the compressors I was filling my tank off of were not new and did not have any problems. I am sure all it takes is a little upkeeping to keep them running like new.



* I'm starting to bust your chops now, I'm just having fun.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by joed1228 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>If your going to get a compressor spend more money and get something you can use for power tools powered by compressed air. Doesn't make any sense to get a compressor and buy another when you use air tools because the first one you got was too weak.

Check out a line of air powered tools at sears or something and buy a compresor made for them then use it to dry your car until you start buying tools. [/b]</blockquote>
That air compressor he has pictures is good enough for the use with tools. Both of my nailguns don't need anymore that 110PSI. I don't even use them that high. Only for the harder woods. Plus, being small like that it is more mobile. I use mine in the house and it is a lot easier to move it around than one of the big ones with wheels.
 
Intel,



For some air tools, it's not just the psi that matters, but also CFM (cubic feet per minute). Smaller compressors won't be able to continuously deliver air for something like a pneumatic buffer/grinder or an air ratchet that you might run for extended periods of time. However, for a nailer or something like that, it probably won't be an issue.



Compressors and pneumatic tools both come with a CFM rating; you want to make sure that the compressor you're looking at exceeds the CFM rating of the most air-hungry tool you plan to buy. The closer the two ratings, the more often your compressor will kick on to try to keep up with the demand for flow.



Tort
 
Sounds like a great idea, I'd probably do it too but ask yourself this -- does it really matter all that much? Think about all dirt that gets slammed into your finish when you are driving at 70+ mph. The air moved by the blower doesn't really blow 220 mph by the time it hits your car. I guess the real concern here is not initial damage from the dust/dirt, but the damage caused by QDing or touching the car after drying.



For dust kickup concerns, use a fine mist nozzle attachment on the hose and spray the entire area where you are going to use the leaf blower before hosing off your car and blowing it off. This'll keep dust down.



*I don't own, nor have I used for automotive purposes, a leaf blower.
 
The high speeds of a leaf blower and air compressor air make me realize the risks I run of harming the finish. Here is another thought = I get a small inexpesive shop vac and ONLY use it for removing excess water form the exterior and for interior dusting. Its cheap small and portable and my question are what risks are involved with using this , remember i am not using it as a vac just a blower.
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<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by C240 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>The high speeds of a leaf blower and air compressor air make me realize the risks I run of harming the finish.[/b]</blockquote>What about . . .
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by puterbum [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Sounds like a great idea, I'd probably do it too but ask yourself this -- does it really matter all that much? Think about all dirt that gets slammed into your finish when you are driving at 70+ mph. The air moved by the blower doesn't really blow 220 mph by the time it hits your car.[/b]</blockquote> . . . it's less than what your finish endures every day on the freeway.
 
I don't see any harm in it of you use it as a blower only. You can always test it out.



Huhhuh...you said blow.





:D
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by olivher [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>

NSXNEXT,
What brand and model number is that leaf blower? What are the specs (mph)?

I was looking for a Toro 215mph, but seems like no local stores carried them. [/b]</blockquote>
From Home Depot's web site

Toro Co.
Toro Power Sweep Electric Blower
Model: #51586
SKU: #225618

Toro Co. Features:
Generates powerful air force up to 140 MPH
Perfect for clearing leaves and debris from sidewalks, deck, and driveways
Exclusive extension cord lock prevents disconnections
Lightweight (5 lbs.) and easy to use


LINK
 
So I just started offering Wheel Repair/Re-painting done wheels in the past but not for a pay customer and decided I knew how to do it so why not offer it. So added it to the website and i get my first call, Mercedes wheels had already been repaired once before, but they did a half ass job, looks to me if they didnt clear the wheels after paint and the brake dust was etched in the paint. I was only supposed to do 2 wheels but after the conversation we had, he called me back half hour later and had curbed another so we decided to do all 4.

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sprayed with Grime Reaper to help break down the brake dust

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Sanded with wheel with 320grit paper, made easy work of removing the damage
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This was after a few passes
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After the wheels were sanded went up to 600, they were cleaned again and wiped down with alcohol, ready for primer.

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first coat of base coat

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All finished 2 coats of clear

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Back on the car, ready to go
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Thanks for looking
 
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