Open Road

Hi All

So here a quick question about stock wheels. As it so happens, they are getting a little difficult to come by these days. The rears on my 91 are in terrible shape, so I guess it is refurbishing time. Has anybody had good luck refurbishing D90s?

This shop sounds pretty good, but I don't believe the D90s were made by Fuchs.
https://www.fuchsrestoration.com/

Also found several really postive references to this guy doing good work on P-wheels:
https://ferdinandmagazine.com/weidman-p ... estoration
https://www.facebook.com/p/Weidmans-Whe ... 762617343/

As usual, any response is appreciated!

Sazerac wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:08 pm Hi All

So here a quick question about stock wheels. As it so happens, they are getting a little difficult to come by these days. The rears on my 91 are in terrible shape, so I guess it is refurbishing time. Has anybody had good luck refurbishing D90s?

This shop sounds pretty good, but I don't believe the D90s were made by Fuchs.
https://www.fuchsrestoration.com/

Also found several really postive references to this guy doing good work on P-wheels:
https://ferdinandmagazine.com/weidman-p ... estoration
https://www.facebook.com/p/Weidmans-Whe ... 762617343/

As usual, any response is appreciated!

Define "terrible shape"... Do they need welding and a lathe? If it's just finish then media blast (no sand), then have a competent body shop spray with the correct color. Nothing special about D90s, they're a cast, painted wheel, no Porsche expertise required.

I would want to make sure they are round first. Get them straightened if necessary before refinishing.

Good points.

My operating assumption was that finding somebody in the Porsche service community would likely yield a service provider who knows the correct paint/color. Also, they would have probably already worked on such wheels, so they would no immediately how to handle/what to do. That being said, I agree that there is no real special Porsche knowledge needed.

Terrible means: (1) botched refinishing operation (finished over dirt in some places) and (2) bad curb rash on edges of rear wheels. So, I would guess stripping, welding and repainting is needed. I "think" they are straight. But, yeah, that should indeed be the first check!

Sazerac wrote: ↑Tue Apr 23, 2024 5:05 am I "think" they are straight. But, yeah, that should indeed be the first check!

If you have a good dial indicator and attachment mechanism it isn’t hard to gather 2-axis runout measurements inside and outside.

Had my D90s powder coated black, don’t have them or pics

Modern 'take' on D90s or just fugly?

Cheese Grater Wheels.

P for “Porsche”? Mounted on a GTi?

No D90 DNA present.

hessank wrote: ↑Wed May 01, 2024 10:01 am Modern 'take' on D90s or just fugly?

"B"

Those wheels are Pirelli P Slots, OEM on certain 80's VW Golfs. I believe they predated the D90s.

Interesting, Fred. What is perhaps the most interesting to me are the center caps, which look like Porsche Reprodcutions? Certain part numbers of OEM center caps have become impossible to find.

However, I am not looking for different wheels. I am interested in anybody who has experience in repainting/repairing original D90s.

I have a friend who re-furbished his D90's on a '91 GT. He used Oven Cleaner to remove the anodization (I've done this with anodized aluminum trim on a classic BMW). He then sanded 2 or 3 times with reduced grit wet or dry paper (wet, I believe), ending with 2500 or so. Final polishing with rubbing compound.
Gary

Gary, hope all is well, and thanks for chiming in.

As I understand, D90s are painted. The challenge for me would be to weld up some curb rash and repaint in OEM color.

Now, the CS wheels (and the like) with the anodized finish are a whole different story and the finishing is really difficult to clean up and re-anodize as I understand.

Gary Knox wrote: ↑Thu May 09, 2024 10:16 am I have a friend who re-furbished his D90's on a '91 GT. He used Oven Cleaner to remove the anodization (I've done this with anodized aluminum trim on a classic BMW). He then sanded 2 or 3 times with reduced grit wet or dry paper (wet, I believe), ending with 2500 or so. Final polishing with rubbing compound.
Gary

This is similar to how I have restored a lot of aluminum trim and my polished manhole covers. Although, I used a 5% lye solution (5% Red Devil lye drain cleaner/95% distilled water) rather than oven cleaner to dissolve the anodized layer. For wheels, an oven cleaner may take longer but be easier because you can just hit the face and not bathe the whole wheel.

Either way, you need to monitor the dissolving because once the solution eats the anodized layer it will eat into the aluminum.

Once the anodized surface is gone, I sanded with wet 400, then 800, then 1200. Following that, I had the most success polishing with Mother's aluminum polish. It may take four of five passes and a lot of elbow grease before getting a truly mirror finish. I wash off the polish residue with a soft towel and highly diluted Simple Green and wipe this off.

My final step is a product called Boeshield-T9, which is a protectant for aluminum developed by Boeing (available on Amazon). This puts on a strong, clear protective coating. I reapply this once a year and it keeps the wheels shiny and protected from oxidation.

Matt

So, finally, in a casual exchange with an acquaintance in the CA area, he recommended these guys who prepared his D90s and repainted them (he did not choose the factory color):
https://www.ocwheelrepairs.com

Anybody heard of them? They would fit the bill in that they seem to be able to rebuild curb rash by welding and also they repaint alloy.

This is a little bit of a thread revival... But I finally have some data. After looking and asking questions, I could never get any recommendations from anybody, so I tried to refurbish the following wheels (cast and painted D90s):
928.362.154.05 x 2
928.362.158.02 x 2

The shop I charged with the job was Fuchs Restoration: https://www.fuchsrestoration.com/
After writing a couple emails and never getting a response, on a whim, I sent a text message and actually got a response, "Yes, I refurbish D90s too. Just fill out the from and send them in." I checked the wheels were straight and shipped them off. The wheels were in ok shape prior to shipping, just quite a bit of curb rash and genereral scuffing. I told them to refinish the front and back and weld up the curb rash. and repaint. I told them explicitly to not paint over or weld over the D90 sensor holes.




The job wasn't cheap at about USD 650 per wheel, but I have no complaints. Also, these are NLA, so you if you have a set, take care of them.

I have a set, but they are chromed. An even bigger issue to refinish!

Does anyone make reproduction D90 wheels?
They are among my favorite and think they would look well matched to my 914.
Not too modern, but not just another set of Fuchs.

Refurb:
https://carolinawheelpros.com/

Pony up and buy new:
https://www.augmentwheels.com/products/ ... 1573584779

17" D90s look to be about 4.5k a set.

I've been toying with the idea of having Augment make me a set of 17" Club Sport wheels in 9" and 10.5."

worf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 5:10 pm 17" D90s look to be about 4.5k a set.

I've been toying with the idea of having Augment make me a set of 17" Club Sport wheels in 9" and 10.5."

Ouch!
That is quite speedy in 914 dollars.

I'm sure you can find a company that will reproduce them cheaper. In cast lead.

$1000-$1200 for a forged wheel is cheap.

worf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 10:55 pm I'm sure you can find a company that will reproduce them cheaper. In cast lead.

$1000-$1200 for a forged wheel is cheap.

I didn't say they weren't worth it, just not in my application.

Just visited the Augment site and they are offering free shipping to the US to offset the tariff charges. Don't know if their prices include the tariff, but I think they have increased the per wheel pricing.

N_Jay wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 8:25 pm

worf wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 5:10 pm 17" D90s look to be about 4.5k a set.

I've been toying with the idea of having Augment make me a set of 17" Club Sport wheels in 9" and 10.5."

Ouch!
That is quite speedy in 914 dollars.

I've got a set from a low-mile 964 C2 that will cost you a lot less than that!

Well, look what popped up on FB Market place

Design 90 Porsche rims removed from 1990 911 Targa (964). Good condition, minor scuffs

Rims: 16 inch, Front 6J x 16 (964.362.112.01), Rear 8J x 16 (964.362.116.01), Offset ET 52.3 front and rear.

Does $800 seem fair?

They come with center caps, so that's a bonus.

Find out if they have the RDK holes/plugs. If so and you dont have (or dont want) that system, the holes will need to be plugged and wheels rebalanced.

1990-1991 928 came with 7.5et65 and 9et52.3 D90s, all with the RDK holes. (Info courtesy of 928 Specialists site (928gt.com)).

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 1:39 am ... If so and you dont have (or dont want) that system, the holes will need to be plugged and wheels rebalanced.

This assumes that the holes are empty. They probably aren't since it requires two Por$sche $pecial tool$ to remove the RDK devices. (They aren't called, properly, 'senders' IMO.)

Provided that there's no leak between the RDK bits and the wheel barrel you don't *have* to remove them provided there's sufficient clearance for the caliper and other bits that protrude into the barrel.

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 1:39 am They come with center caps, so that's a bonus.

Find out if they have the RDK holes/plugs. If so and you dont have (or dont want) that system, the holes will need to be plugged and wheels rebalanced.

1990-1991 928 came with 7.5et65 and 9et52.3 D90s, all with the RDK holes. (Info courtesy of 928 Specialists site (928gt.com)).

Did the 964 version use those sensors?

worf wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 6:00 am

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 1:39 am ... If so and you dont have (or dont want) that system, the holes will need to be plugged and wheels rebalanced.

This assumes that the holes are empty. They probably aren't since it requires two Por$sche $pecial tool$ to remove the RDK devices. (They aren't called, properly, 'senders' IMO.)

Provided that there's no leak between the RDK bits and the wheel barrel you don't *have* to remove them provided there's sufficient clearance for the caliper and other bits that protrude into the barrel.

Well, they will be going on a street 914 running 1980's 911/930 brakes so I am guessing space in the barrel should not be a concern.

worf wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 6:00 am

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 1:39 am ... If so and you dont have (or dont want) that system, the holes will need to be plugged and wheels rebalanced.

This assumes that the holes are empty. They probably aren't since it requires two Por$sche $pecial tool$ to remove the RDK devices. (They aren't called, properly, 'senders' IMO.)

Provided that there's no leak between the RDK bits and the wheel barrel you don't *have* to remove them provided there's sufficient clearance for the caliper and other bits that protrude into the barrel.

I (obviously) did not know this. The folklore I recall was that they were problematic. What have you seen? If they retain those not-worthy-to-be-called-sensors plugs , do they tend to be air tight? Is a $pecial Por$che Tool($) required to INSTALL them if missing?

N_Jay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 11:27 am Did the 964 version use those sensors?

No idea! Wiki says 964 was 89-93, so I would guess "maybe-yes"? Maybe assume yes & ask the seller to show pictures of the holes so you can see if plugged or not.

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 9:00 pm I (obviously) did not know this. The folklore I recall was that they were problematic. What have you seen? If they retain those not-worthy-to-be-called-sensors plugs , do they tend to be air tight? Is a $pecial Por$che Tool($) required to INSTALL them if missing?

The 'sensors' in the wheels are sealed with an o-ring to the wheel barrel. I have never - personally - found one, installed by the factory, in an undamaged wheel leaking. So, this is a case where, if it ain't broken don't fix it unless you have to.

And yes, the two-part Special Tools (and two people) are required to R&R them.

The main 'problem' with RDK was that it was not user adjustable. The warning trigger pressure was fixed by the 'not-a-sender' in the wheels. The secondary 'main' problem was folks trusting that their $1.99 gas-station pencil pressure gauge was more accurate.

IIRC, the WSM, or the '89 or '90 928 Service Tech Info books have a good description of the theory of RDK operation. I will not attempt to describe how it works from memory. But, it is *nothing* like modern TPMS systems that have batteries and transmitters in the in-wheel senders.

hernanca wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 9:00 pm

N_Jay wrote: ↑Thu Oct 02, 2025 11:27 am Did the 964 version use those sensors?

No idea! Wiki says 964 was 89-93, so I would guess "maybe-yes"? Maybe assume yes & ask the seller to show pictures of the holes so you can see if plugged or not.

AFAIK, RDK was only, ever, on the 928. (Perhaps also the road-going 959.)

From a few Googles (not 100%trusting what I found) although available, a 964 would have to have been very highly optioned to have them.
Searching the wheel part numbers, they are not mentioned, nor do they show in any pictures I have found.

I will know when I look at them, but probably doesn't change my stance.
If they look good and strait, with fairy new tires, a good enough deal.

Well, the 914 has new wheels.
These did not have the "not a sensor" bores.
Wheels are really nice for "driver" quality.
See the latest purchase thread for pictures.
viewtopic.php?t=86&start=2900#p321225
Offered up $750 and they said OK. Venmo stole their 3% because I refuse to link my bank account.
Still under $800 and the tires are almost new.

Thanks everyone for the insights.

N_Jay wrote: ↑Fri Oct 03, 2025 8:15 pm Well, the 914 has new wheels.
These did not have the "not a sensor" bores.

Good to know those don't have the bores.

We need to see them ON the 914 however! I have always loved how the 914's looked, especially at the track. They just always seemed to have the right stance for the track. And there is at least one 914 with a 928 V8 in it (and Pascha interior!) by a guy named Rick: