I obtained an old set of steel rims a few weeks ago to make up a set of winter tyres.

After a disastrous attempt to paint them myself white, I opted to have them powder coated silver instead by canavans in Lurgan.

Ordered a set of green bolt in valves too. These arrived by post the day my wheels were picked up.

Some before and after pics

Edited 8 September, 201312 yr by carl4u44

Looks really good mate.

Yea there's a real smooth finish off them. First time I'd ever had a wheel refurb - and powder coating is amazing. I think my spray painting would have peeled off after a week.

Trouble is there in better condition than my current alloys!

Trouble is there in better condition than my current alloys!

 

Well that's a job for the winter lined up!

I don't want to be negative, but, if I had spent time/money making these wheels looking good and ready for winter, the last thing I would have added would have been metal valve assemblies - they will be your weak point as the years go on. I've just checked over the winter steelies for wife's Polo, and am shocked with the amount the balance weights (clip on type) have corroded over the period since they were last on the car, despite being washed and stored in a well vented area.

 

Though maybe you plan to wash these wheels daily, well at the start you probably will, but when things get really nasty?

I think the metal valves will be made from different material than knock on wieghts, plus they are not knocked on scratching the wheel down to the metal.

Should of banded them though

I think the metal valves will be made from different material than knock on wieghts, plus they are not knocked on scratching the wheel down to the metal.

Should of banded them though

 

Yes I know that but I'd reckon that they are anodised aluminium, and that does not like salt etc, and the valve caps will need to be kept well greased or they will seize on to the valve barrels.

 

The weights on the Polo steelies are still the originals and there is no rusting where they were knocked on (had one tyre reversed and rebalance and rusting where the weights had been) - it is the lead that is disappearing, which surprised me a bit!

Interesting point, the valves are anodised. Ill look into them before I actually fit tyres (that's the next step). As for the weights, surely there no different than ones on alloys? Depending on how much they need balanced I could go for inner stick on weights.

Tyres I'm looking at maxsport Alaska winters. Autograss type and their studdable. 195 55 15

eBay item no. 400541693037

Edited 8 September, 201312 yr by carl4u44

You would be better specifiying stick on weights if that is possible - never done that on steelies - the stick on weights tend to be steel, so only need repainted now and again.

 

I've only ever used Michelin Alpins 3 and 4, not in a bid to spend as much as possible, but really to achieve what I've set out to do, ie get good safe grip under all late Autumn > early Spring weather - water, cold, snow and ice. The mileage I've had so far has been impressive, but maybe most winter tyres give good life.

 

I don't think that you are allowed to use studs on UK roads now.

Edited 8 September, 201312 yr by rum4mo

Where did you buy the valves from they look awesome

My steels have stick on weights just for info.

Yes I know that but I'd reckon that they are anodised aluminium, and that does not like salt etc,...

 

I was intrigued by this comment. I'd guess that about 80% of the world's sailing boat masts and booms are anodised ali. They see plenty of salt spray when used  anywhere except inland waterways.  Corrosion only tends to occur where drillings are made for fittings, without due attention to sealing after piercing the oxide layer.

 

Some research findings here.

 

As mentioned in that link, galvanic corrosion could be the bigger threat if the valves are ali, and not electrically isolated from the steel wheel adequately.

I was intrigued by this comment. I'd guess that about 80% of the world's sailing boat masts and booms are anodised ali. They see plenty of salt spray when used anywhere except inland waterways. Corrosion only tends to occur where drillings are made for fittings, without due attention to sealing after piercing the oxide layer.

Some research findings here.

As mentioned in that link, galvanic corrosion could be the bigger threat if the valves are ali, and not electrically isolated from the steel wheel adequately.

thats a bit in depth isn't it lol

I was intrigued by this comment. I'd guess that about 80% of the world's sailing boat masts and booms are anodised ali. They see plenty of salt spray when used  anywhere except inland waterways.  Corrosion only tends to occur where drillings are made for fittings, without due attention to sealing after piercing the oxide layer.

 

Some research findings here.

 

As mentioned in that link, galvanic corrosion could be the bigger threat if the valves are ali, and not electrically isolated from the steel wheel adequately.

I would think that you are being a bit naïve to think that the quality of these valves will be anything approaching the quality of what ships chandlers sell for use in the marine environment. Without being "nasty" to the OP, that is what I'd expect - car wheel valves should "look okay" - boat fittings must "be okay".

 

Electrical isolated, hummmm, salty water and short barrier between valve and wheel.

Edited 8 September, 201312 yr by rum4mo

thats a bit in depth isn't it lol

Probably. 

I would think that you are being a bit naïve to think that the quality of these valves will be anything approaching the quality of what ships chandlers sell for use in the marine environment. Without being "nasty" to the OP, that is what I'd expect - car wheel valves should "look okay" - boat fittings must "be okay".

 

Electrical isolated, hummmm, salty water and short barrier between valve and wheel.

Probably.

Probably.

 

Anyway, I'm probably just jealous of how good these winter wheels are, the brand new steelies that I bought for my wife's Polo 9N 4 years ago look nothing like the OP's did before he got them sorted out!!  Somebody at work did say to me "yes I know they will be painted, but did you paint them with proper paint before using them?" - eh no, they were not ordered until the snow fell!! (usual normal almost just in time)

 

Now, Mr Ebay, where are my 18" alloys for winter use on the S4?

Edited 8 September, 201312 yr by rum4mo

Where did you buy the valves from they look awesome

eBay 6 pound for all four, delivered.

Wheel weights havent been lead for many many years. Most (I think) are now made of zinc.

Wheel weights havent been lead for many many years. Most (I think) are now made of zinc.

 

Well that would explain why some of my winter steel wheels balance weights have started to look like the way "zinc anodes" go on boats, you know, the things that protect any ironwork.

Tyres arrived in the post yesterday and now fitted!