To refurb or not to refurb

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   I have a 21 year old set of wheels that are in quite remarkable original condition but they are not perfect.
Is wheel refinishing considered these days to be unavoidable and therefore irrelevant in terms of 'originality' or is it considered better, from a concours point of view, to just maintain, as well as can be achieved, the original finish?  In other words, how does a judge know if a wheel has been refinished?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
Graham

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Nifty50 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 28 Jun 2011 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 71	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nifty50 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: To refurb or not to refurb Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 8:15am
	I have a 21 year old set of wheels that are in quite remarkable original condition but they are not perfect. Is wheel refinishing considered these days to be unavoidable and therefore irrelevant in terms of 'originality' or is it considered better, from a concours point of view, to just maintain, as well as can be achieved, the original finish? In other words, how does a judge know if a wheel has been refinished? Any advice appreciated. Cheers Graham

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Norrie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4117	Post Options Post Reply Quote Norrie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 3:18pm
	My thoughts are this, firstly it your car so if you are happy to drive with scuffed or damaged wheels no problem. I personally had mine refurbished and they look great after 9 years. I think the points are awarded for the condition of the wheels.
	n

Nifty50 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 28 Jun 2011 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 71	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nifty50 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 5:40pm
	Thanks for the reply Norrie. Your second point is more the answer I was looking for in that presumably a refurbished wheel will always obtain better marks than an original just because it looks better. Can any of the concours people out there clarify if the judges just mark a wheel on its condition and refinished or original is irrelevant?

Norrie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4117	Post Options Post Reply Quote Norrie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 6:08pm
	I was looking at my concours sheet from last year and it does not say points are deducted for refurbishing the wheels, it seems to just be about the quality or them, for example if you had you car resprayed would you think it would be marked down.
	n

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 6:12pm
	Surely originality and condition are two different criteria, with seperate marking. Anyway - it is really up to you - do you keep your car for your satisfaction, or that of concours judges, whose opinions may not always be the same? I used to work with a chap who had a pre-war MG, the paintwork of which was in dreadful condition - but he was very proud that it was original dreadful paintwork! Each to his own.
	A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

Nifty50 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 28 Jun 2011 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 71	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nifty50 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 9:43pm
	Thanks for the comments guys. I wasn't actually struggling to make a decision because like you, when they need doing I will not hesitate to get them done. They are so good many people think they have been refinished as after all these years there is only a small sign of bubbling lacquer on two wheels. I was just curious to know how concours judges dealt with this issue but as you say it often comes down to an opinion in any case. I can kind of understand about the pre-war MG and funnily enough their is a decrepit Model T in my local car club that is worth 5 times unrestored what it would be if restored. Cheers Graham

Norrie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4117	Post Options Post Reply Quote Norrie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jul 2014 at 11:08am
	The person to comment is Steve Haslam who is the main organiser of the concours for the club email concours@bmwcarclubgb.co.uk . I will be interested in the answer as I expect to get better marks this year for my refurbished wheels which are back to the original colour, shade and specification.
	n

gerald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 505	Post Options Post Reply Quote gerald Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jul 2014 at 8:52pm
	I think you could refurb your wheels and you wouldn't get 20/20 I have a set for concourse and a winter set just had all 5 done Something to keep in mind is your spare wheel if you are serious about the judges will check your spare for condition It gets addictive I bought both passenger and drivers side glass to gain 1 point On the flip side concours is brilliant and you get a lot of satisfaction and you meet a lot of enthusiasts
	gerald 323i e36 coupe