Dunlop wheel rims

Chris Marshall

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hello to you all
Dunlop wheel rims, are they restorable/ usable? As I have several, including a pair of unchromed, black painted (rusty) ones. All for sale.
thanks Chrism
 

Peter Holmes

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VOC Member
It depends on what level of restoration is required, to chromium plate they will need to be stripped back to bare metal and polished, polishers don’t like the job because the spoke nipple holes are not very kind to their polishing mops, to achieve a good result all rust pits will need to be polished out, sometimes that is not possible, unless you require the originality of the Dunlop trade mark, you are probably better off with a new rim from the “Devon Rim Company” even the trademark looks very similar to Dunlop.
 

Peter Holmes

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VOC Member
If I understand you correctly the black painted rims are also rusty, if that is the case, then yes, they would need the paint stripping off and then all the rust pits polished out back to smooth shiny steel, then the plating process can begin.
 

kerry

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VOC Member
I think I would go for stainless, I bought a Comet this week with polished stainless rims and for once I could not tell they were not chrome, and they last forever. So often re-chromed ones dont last and can hide the Dunlop markings, if you want it exactly correct them maybe I am wrong. Kerry.
 

Robert Watson

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VOC Member
Now I'll upset the purists. The touring Rapide I did a few years ago had it's very nasty original rims. They were replaced with Devon SS ones which I purchased unpainted. When I got them here I carefully masked off the "to remain polished" parts and gave the centre a light dusting with glass bead. I then remasked that part with the special hi temp tape and had them powder coated. Then off to my painter for the red stripes. Even if I do say so myself the out come was excellent.

I would add that the light dust of glass was not required. my masking job was only about 99.5% and the little bits of powder that snuck out onto the rim were a real b&^&$r to clean off!!!

I did it because the owner lives about 50 miles from a small town here in the coastal mountain range, and about 40 of that isn't paved. I also did the frame parts and the touring mudguards with powder coat. You have to have a good sheet metal guy if you are going to powder coat restored original touring guards!
 

Shane998

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Hello to you all
Dunlop wheel rims, are they restorable/ usable? As I have several, including a pair of unchromed, black painted (rusty) ones. All for sale.
thanks Chrism
I was given 3 old Dunlop rusty rims I know a very good chrome plater (which is important ) who does lots of parts for custom cars and bikes so he was aware of preserving the stampings and that the centres would be painted So he was careful with the polishing Can’t give you better pics because I have masked of for light blasting of the centres but have not been able to get done because of COVID as the only person I know who can do this job properly is an older guy (usually the best)who has not been working But soon I hope After painting I have good old school sign writer who now specialises in pinstriping So to answer your question I would say that someone could probably use them but because of the cost of restoring they are probably not worth a lot in present state because as stated by others here there are other very good options
 

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Robert Watson

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
The other issue with restoring rims is that they are often pitted around the raised portion where the spokes fit. If a polisher is not very careful he can polish this too thin. Then you get it all nicely chrome plated and painted, and then you get it all spoked up and just as you tighten the last couple of spokes it goes bang. And you are right back where you started but short some time and money. Don't ask me how I know this!
 
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