Alloy wheel refurb

Razor61 · July 7, 2022

My mk4 has the DHP alloys which are in great condition, really suit the car and look great.
However, the car is not a DHP car and I wanted the original alloys back on the car.
I struggled to find a set which were in decent condition and at a reasonable cost, I found some on the Facebook UK LS Owners group which looked in decent condition to refurb.
Bought the wheels and Lepson’s Wheels picked them up today (I’ve used them in the past and they did a great job), got a call earlier after they had examined them to discuss what finish to go for. I had in mind a chrome finish called Mercury Silver I saw on their video but for chrome finishes you need a perfect wheel otherwise any slight imperfections will show. The wheels I bought were less than perfect, which I knew already, so was advised not to go for a chrome finish. Chrome Finishes are done in one go and that’s it, you can’t touch up and refinish any areas that show up after spraying, with the silver finishes they hide the imperfections quite well and after spraying, any issues in the silver coat can be touched up and sorted then lacquered to give the best finish possible on less than perfect wheels. So I went for a standard silver finish advised by Lepson’s, new tyres will be fitted as well then shipped back to me.
Delivery will be next week so need to order some ceramic coating for them and I’ll post some pictures of the wheels when I get them and when fitted to the car.

steve2006 · July 7, 2022

Given what a set of DHP wheels in decent condition are fetching these days you’ll probably recover the cost of the replacements and refurbishment if you sell them. 😀

Malc · July 8, 2022

15 hours ago, Razor61 said:

I had in mind a chrome finish

there was an earlier post here about a set of chrome wheels for sale ......... last month or so .... :unsure:

Malc

Howplum · July 8, 2022

Still for sale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133623161330?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=uUF0J7IhT4S&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=bPQ54hZdSAe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Razor61 · July 8, 2022

1 hour ago, Malc said:

there was an earlier post here about a set of chrome wheels for sale ......... last month or so ....

Malc

The finish I wanted wasn't full chrome, way too blingy for me. The finish I wanted is below, very nice in my opinion but not an option for me.

Howplum · July 8, 2022

Perhaps Lepsons are using a process involving silver nitrate for their "chrome" wheels, in which case this article explains the difference between spray paint and "chrome" finishes:

https://pchrome.com/faq/what-is-spray-chrome/

And this is an extract from Spraychrome's website:

"Chromespray can be used over any surface that can be primed. We have successfully chromed over wood, glass, plastics, carbon fibre, 3d prints, all metals and even an apple. Since the product works extremely well over car filler any item can be reworked as new.

Silver nitrate coating system produces a perfect mirror finish on almost any product, giving the impression of real metal plating. A layer of real silver is deposited on the surface to create an unbeatable chrome finish."

Although the silver nitrate finish will be less forgiving than paint, apparently it can be applied to any surface that can be primed, so perhaps the key to a good finish lies in the primer.

Anyway, don't forget to post some pictures when they're on the car.

steve2006 · July 9, 2022

As I mentioned previously chrome wheels will not look good for long here in the UK as I know from experience.

Mine were totally bling and I received some nice comments but 2 years later they looked bad with no one willing to refurbish them.

Razor61 · July 9, 2022

On 7/7/2022 at 8:40 PM, steve2006 said:

Given what a set of DHP wheels in decent condition are fetching these days you’ll probably recover the cost of the replacements and refurbishment if you sell them. 😀

I may sell them or keep them as a winter set. As far as I can tell, without paying the earth, the only correct size tyres you can get for DHP alloys are winter tyres.
Compared to the mk3 I had with the original 16” alloys, this car with the DHP wheels/tyres doesn’t absorb rough surfaces the same. This is due to bigger wheels and lower profile tyres with a stiffer side wall. Yes the original 16” tyres look like balloons compared but I want the smoothest quietest ride/drive as possible which is what the LS400 is all about.

cruisermark · July 9, 2022

1 hour ago, Razor61 said:

I may sell them or keep them as a winter set. As far as I can tell, without paying the earth, the only correct size tyres you can get for DHP alloys are winter tyres.
Compared to the mk3 I had with the original 16” alloys, this car with the DHP wheels/tyres doesn’t absorb rough surfaces the same. This is due to bigger wheels and lower profile tyres with a stiffer side wall. Yes the original 16” tyres look like balloons compared but I want the smoothest quietest ride/drive as possible which is what the LS400 is all about.

Have you decided on tyres yet?

Razor61 · July 9, 2022

Yep, Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun - 67db noise rated tyre, the quieter the better.

shanra · February 13, 2023

On 7/9/2022 at 4:57 PM, Razor61 said:

Yep, Falken Ziex ZE310 Ecorun - 67db noise rated tyre, the quieter the better.

I have bought some of these and they will be fitted in a couple of weeks, just under £96 fitted from Protyre. I have Michelin Primacy 4's on at the moment and after five years and 17,000 miles there are a lot of cracks in them and also wear on outsides where I think I may have been underinflating them although I have gone with the recommended 30 psi. I shall try the new ones at 33psi. How are yours Paul?

shanra · February 13, 2023

I am also considering buying some aftermarket alloys or getting mine refurbished although they have already been done once whilst in my ownership. Looking at 16inch alloys if I did go down that path, has anyone changed out their originals?

Tulpen · February 13, 2023

In 1997 I bought a '94 LS 400. Back then, the wheels were coated with a lacquer protection which wasn't very good and there were a lot of complaints. New in the market, Lexus didn't want anything to dent their image so they came up with a novel solution. They supplied a complete set of refurbished wheels for IIRC, £350. You booked your car in and they swapped your wheels - refitting the original tyres and doing the balancing. It took about 3 hours. I had mine done 1999.

Malc1 · February 13, 2023

I had my original wheels refurbished last year at £250 sans the plastic deep coloured centre caps ...... they look brill and I am told should last 15 years subject to my driving carefully enough . whacks excluded of course

And Falken tyres are a great way to go . been using them mostly both on the Ls400 and my 56 plate Honda Legend for quite some 10's of '000s of miles

Malc

Razor61 · February 13, 2023

4 hours ago, shanra said:

How are yours Paul?

They seem ok to me, nice and quiet and that’s what I wanted.

Malc1 · February 13, 2023

5 hours ago, shanra said:

I think I may have been underinflating them although I have gone with the recommended 30 psi. I shall try the new ones at 33psi. How are yours Paul?

On my Ls400 they've been at 30psi and show zero unexpected wear etc

Malc

steve2006 · February 13, 2023

I run mine at 32 PSI all round with no wear problems, 245/45/18 (100Y) P Zeros.

shanra · February 14, 2023

I had an alignment done at Wheels In Motion (not trading now) and I see it was done to a modified specification (not that I asked for it) and although that was only 2000 miles ago I think that was when the wear started. I cannot find the standard geometry specs anywhere and I have looked all over. Does anyone know the geometry settings?

shanra · February 14, 2023

Wheels In Motion still going but bought out by Protyre!

Razor61 · February 14, 2023

13 hours ago, shanra said:

I had an alignment done at Wheels In Motion (not trading now) and I see it was done to a modified specification (not that I asked for it) and although that was only 2000 miles ago I think that was when the wear started. I cannot find the standard geometry specs anywhere and I have looked all over. Does anyone know the geometry settings?

This is from the manual

And noticed this as well